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First-time home buyer guides, helpful mortgage tips, and easy-to-follow articles to make you a better first-time buyer.

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Under Contract

4 min read

What is Escrow?

Escrow is a financial arrangement where a homeowner pays portions of their real estate tax and homeowners insurance monthly to their lender, who then…

Under Contract

2 min read

Conventional 97 vs FHA: Compare Side by Side

This guide to Conventional 97 vs FHA mortgages compares two popular low-down-payment mortgage loans side-by-side.…

Under Contract

3 min read

Conventional vs VA: Compare Side-by-Side

This guide to Conventional vs VA mortgages compares two popular mortgages among first-time home buyers to help you choose the best mortgage loan for…

Under Contract

3 min read

HomeReady vs Home Possible: Compare Side-by-Side

This guide to HomeReady vs Home Possible compares two popular conventional mortgages made for low- to moderate-income home…

Under Contract

3 min read

Conventional vs FHA: Compare Side-by-Side

This guide to Conventional vs FHA mortgages compares the similarities and differences of two popular first-time home buyer…

Under Contract

5 min read

What are Discount Points?

Discount points are an optional prepayment of mortgage interest, paid at closing, that lowers a home buyer's mortgage…

Under Contract

4 min read

What is a Due on Sale Clause?

Due on sale is a mortgage contract clause that requires the full loan balance to be paid when the property is…

Under Contract

5 min read

What is a Mortgage Rate Lock?

A mortgage rate lock is a mortgage lender's commitment to honor a quoted mortgage through closing to a home…

Under Contract

8 min read

How To Write a Mortgage Gift Letter for Your Down Payment

Buying your first home calls for plenty of celebration with house-warming parties, neighborhood greetings, and new home photos that are sure to earn…

Under Contract

1 min read

Loan Estimate Explainer for First-Time Buyers (with Examples)

Once you get pre-approved for a mortgage, comparing rates is important. However, what’s even more important is how you compare mortgage rates.…

Under Contract

1 min read

Home Maintenance Checklist for First-Time Home Buyers

Your home is an investment that needs regular upkeep to protect you and your finances. Household maintenance is a skill many first-time home buyers…

Under Contract

7 min read

15 Good Luck Plants To Bring Positive Energy to Your New Home

Plants pose a variety of benefits and have been celebrated for centuries. Horticulture therapy eases stress and increases feelings of well-being,…

Under Contract

1 min read

What Is a Loan Origination Fee and Is It Negotiable?

Several fees come along with a mortgage. One of the more typical is the loan origination fee charged by your lender for processing and, sometimes,…

Under Contract

6 min read

10 Unique Ways to Make Money With Your New House

Homeownership can be a terrific financial opportunity. With each mortgage payment, you build home equity and create wealth for yourself. This is how…

Under Contract

1 min read

How To Document Your Cash Gift For Down Payment

Nearly 25% of first-time home buyers down payment gifts to help buy a home, according to the National Association of…

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