Buying a home - Page 20

There are two main reasons that people who apply for mortgages get denied. Know the pitfalls so you can avoid them and get approved sooner.

Normally when home prices go up, mortgage payments go up. But not in 2019. Learn how low rates have led to smaller payments, even on pricier homes.

Debt-to-income requirements can make it harder to get a mortgage if you have lower income or live somewhere expensive. A new rule in 2020 could change that.

Low mortgage rates mean many homeowners might be able to afford more expensive homes than they planned for. Learn how to calculate your own buying power today.

Everyone makes mistakes. But in home buying? Those mistakes can cost you dearly. Not only can they mean more in costs (think tens of thousands more), but they can also hinder your mortgage loan. Avoid these all-too-common first-time buyer mistakes:

Many home buyers assume spring or summer is the best time to buy a house. Experts disagree. Buying in the fall of 2019 can yield huge mortgage rate and home price savings.

Home prices are getting bigger, but rates are dropping. Consumers are still optimistic about buying. What should you do as a prospective home buyer?

How long does it take to get pre-approved for your mortgage? Not as long as you think, if you start with a folder and have fun with some paper airplanes.

Renters stay renters often because they overestimate the difficulty of qualifying for a mortgage. Many are surprised that they can buy a home immediately.

If you've ever been tempted by real estate investing, now might be the perfect time to turn your dream into reality. Because the factors that can lead to success rarely line up better than they do today.

Very few houses turn into “forever” homes. But that begs a question: What the minimum amount of time you should stay put before moving?

Many soon-to-be parents strive to buy a home and stop renting. But they may not be able to afford a home in their current location. That’s why it pays to at least consider the least expensive city to have a baby in.

Not everyone is cut out to own a home. There are risks involved with this purchase. You could lose money. You’ll be responsible for upkeep and repairs. And some people make better homeowner candidates than others.

A recent study shows that a growing number of home shoppers are seeking to relocate to faraway housing markets. Migrating to a distant city and planting roots in a fresh but not-as-familiar location seems to be a growing trend.

New research reveals that many owners who recently sold pocketed a nice profit on their homes.

New research shows making the down payment is the greatest financial barrier to homeownership. But the good news is you may not have to put down as much as you think. The trick is choosing the right loan or assistance program. Find out what you can afford and qualify for. And consider creative strategies to help save for the down payment.

One homeownership cost that many buyers don’t look closely enough at is property tax. The amount can vary widely, depending on where you live. Before buying a home, find out how much you’ll pay and how to fight high property tax if you need to.

FHA credit score eligibility depends on just a few special numbers. That, at least, is the quick take. But if you look deeper you can see that the relationship between FHA mortgages and credit scores is more complicated.

A new report spotlights the best counties for claiming a single-family rental home. It also shows that typical rental yields and profit margins are up.