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Find first-time home buyer guides, helpful mortgage tips, and easy-to-follow articles on mortgages, real estate, and how to be a better first-time buyer.

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What is For Sale By Owner?
Just Starting
4 min read

What is For Sale By Owner?

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is a method of property sale where a homeowner sell their home directly, without the services of a real estate agent or…

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What is Household Income?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is Household Income?

Household income is the combined gross income of all members of a household who are 15 years or older, regardless of whether they are…

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What is Dual Agency?
Just Starting
4 min read

What is Dual Agency?

Dual agency is when the same real estate agent represents the buyer and the seller in the same home purchase…

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What is a Non-Occupant Co-Borrower?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is a Non-Occupant Co-Borrower?

A non-occupant co-borrower is a person who co-signs a mortgage loan but does not live in the property that the mortgage is…

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What is HO-6 Insurance?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is HO-6 Insurance?

HO-6 Insurance, commonly known as "condo insurance" or "co-op insurance," is homeowners insurance for people who own units in a condominium or a…

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What is New Home Sales?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is New Home Sales?

New Home Sales is an economic indicator that tracks the number of newly constructed homes sold in a given…

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What is Personal Consumption Expenditures?
Just Starting
2 min read

What is Personal Consumption Expenditures?

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) is an economic indicator representing the value of household goods and services…

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What is the House Price Index?
Just Starting
2 min read

What is the House Price Index?

The House Price Index (HPI) is an essential economic indicator that tracks changes in home prices across the United…

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What is a Home Inspection?
Just Starting
4 min read

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a thorough examination of a property's condition, typically conducted by a qualified…

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What is a Flipped Home?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is a Flipped Home?

A flipped home is a property that has been purchased, renovated, and sold for a profit within a short period, usually nine months or…

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What is Master Condo Policy?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is Master Condo Policy?

A Master Condo Policy is an insurance policy held by a condominium's homeowners association (HOA) that covers common areas and the overall structure…

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What is a Buyer’s Agent?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is a Buyer’s Agent?

A buyer's agent is a real estate professional representing a home buyer's interests in a real estate…

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What is a Deductible?
Just Starting
5 min read

What is a Deductible?

A deductible is the amount of cash a homeowner must pay out of pocket before insurance coverage kicks…

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What Is Homeowners Insurance?
Just Starting
3 min read

What Is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is an insurance policy that pays out when a home is damaged by weather, fire, or other means.…

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What is a High-Cost Area?
Just Starting
6 min read

What is a High-Cost Area?

A high-cost area is a city, county, or parish where the median home value significantly exceeds the national average, leading to higher loan limits…

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What is the National Association of REALTORS®?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is the National Association of REALTORS®?

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is a real estate trade organization and owner of the registered trademark…

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What is Payment Shock?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is Payment Shock?

Payment shock refers to a significant and abrupt increase in a first-time home buyer's monthly financial obligations, particularly when transitioning…

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What is Principal Balance?
Just Starting
3 min read

What is Principal Balance?

Principal balance is the amount of unpaid money on a mortgage…

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