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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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What Is Fannie Mae HomePath?
Just Starting
8 min read

What Is Fannie Mae HomePath?

Fannie Mae HomePath is a foreclosure-sale program that lets home buyers purchase foreclosed or distressed homes at significant discounts to fair…

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 Buying a House After Bankruptcy Is Possible: Here’s How
Just Starting
8 min read

Buying a House After Bankruptcy Is Possible: Here’s How

Roughly 1% of U.S. households file for bankruptcy each year, and many will be eligible to buy a home within 2 years of their bankruptcy discharge.…

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 What is a First-Time Home Buyer?
Just Starting
4 min read

What is a First-Time Home Buyer?

A first-time home buyer is any person who hasn't owned a home in the last 3…

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 What Is The HomeReady Mortgage?
Just Starting
9 min read

What Is The HomeReady Mortgage?

HomeReady® is the branded name of Fannie Mae's 3 percent down, low down payment mortgage loan. It's an affordable mortgage program for…

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 What is the Home Possible Mortgage?
Just Starting
8 min read

What is the Home Possible Mortgage?

Home Possible® is the branded name of Freddie Mac’s 3 percent down, low down payment mortgage. It’s an affordable mortgage program for…

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 What Is An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?
Just Starting
7 min read

What Is An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a home loan whose interest rate can change over time.…

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 The Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act
Just Starting
6 min read

The Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act

A new bill called The Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act gives renters with student loans the ability to buy a…

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 What Is Down Payment Assistance?
Just Starting
7 min read

What Is Down Payment Assistance?

Down payment assistance is any program that gives eligible home buyers cash grants, low-interest rate mortgage loans, or tax incentives to purchase a…

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 LIFT Act: Low-Income First-Time Home Buyers [Explained]
Just Starting
8 min read

LIFT Act: Low-Income First-Time Home Buyers [Explained]

First-time home buyers may soon be eligible for a new low-downpayment mortgage with subsidized mortgage interest rates and no monthly mortgage…

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 16 First-Time Home Buyer Grants and Programs
Just Starting
12 min read

16 First-Time Home Buyer Grants and Programs

First-time home buyer grants and programs help renters achieve their American Dream of homeownership. Here are 16 popular programs you can use right…

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 How to Buy a House With Bad Credit
Just Starting
9 min read

How to Buy a House With Bad Credit

You can buy a house with bad credit.  Every day, mortgage lenders around the country approve applications for first-time buyers with low credit…

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 What Is An FHA Loan?
Just Starting
13 min read

What Is An FHA Loan?

The FHA loan, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, is the original low-down payment mortgage for first-time home…

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 Active First-Time Home Buyer Bills In 2023-2024 Congress
Just Starting
6 min read

Active First-Time Home Buyer Bills In 2023-2024 Congress

The government wants to help you buy your first home. This article tracks every first-time home buyer bill in…

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 Should I Get Pre-Approved Before Looking For a House?
Just Starting
1 min read

Should I Get Pre-Approved Before Looking For a House?

Yes, you should get pre-approved before looking for a home. No matter the stage you are in, a mortgage pre-approval is the first big step on your…

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 6 Ways To Reduce Your First-Time Home Buyer Anxiety
Just Starting
8 min read

6 Ways To Reduce Your First-Time Home Buyer Anxiety

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone. Homeownership offers promises of independence, security, and wealth. It’s also among the largest…

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 Does A Mortgage Pre-Approval Affect Your Credit Score?
Just Starting
6 min read

Does A Mortgage Pre-Approval Affect Your Credit Score?

A mortgage pre-approval affects a home buyer’s credit score. The pre-approval typically requires a hard credit inquiry, which decreases a…

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 The Home Buyer Glossary of Real Estate & Mortgage Terms
Just Starting
41 min read

The Home Buyer Glossary of Real Estate & Mortgage Terms

Real estate & mortgage terms for first-time home buyers. We explain everything in plain language and contextual, real-world examples.…

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 Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval – What’s the Difference?
Just Starting
8 min read

Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval – What’s the Difference?

Mortgage pre-qualifications and mortgage pre-approvals are different. One is useless for a first-time home buyer. The other is invaluable as a…

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