Buying a home - Page 21

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.

If you’re looking for a tiny house finance you’ll need to be creative and resourceful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with the dollars you need. Here’s where to look.

The FHA down payment is just 3.5% for most borrowers. As down payments go it’s certainly a lot less than the 20% up front some mortgage programs require. But is there a way to make the FHA down payment even easier?

New data show that sellers may be more willing to work with buyers who have a home to sell. That’s good news for buyers, meaning it's easier now to sell your home and buy another.

Your credit union might offer a good deal on a mortgage when you buy or refinance. Or not. Here's what you need to know about credit union mortgages, and how to get the lowest rate no matter who provides your financing.

The emerging generation is as much interested in home buying as any generation before. Fueling the enthusiasm is a new menu of affordable mortgage programs.

At a mortgage closing, you typically pay mortgage costs and escrow

Don't think you'll ever have the cash to buy a house? Use this guide to learn how to save for a house—and sooner than you think.

There are plenty of experts who will tell you that owning your own home doesn't meet the threshold to be regarded as a true form of investment. And they muster some strong arguments. But are they right?