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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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The Complete Guide to Mortgage Pre-Approvals
Buying Soon
15 min read

The Complete Guide to Mortgage Pre-Approvals

This guide breaks down mortgage pre-approvals, how long they last, how they impact your credit, and the difference between pre-qualification and…

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FHA Mortgage vs USDA Mortgage: Compare Side by Side
Buying Soon
3 min read

FHA Mortgage vs USDA Mortgage: Compare Side by Side

This home buyer guide to FHA vs USDA mortgages compares two popular low-down-payment mortgage loans…

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What is Loan-to-Value?
Buying Soon
3 min read

What is Loan-to-Value?

Loan-to-value (LTV) is the measure of a home's mortgage balance to its market value, expressed as a…

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What is a Warrantable Condominium?
Buying Soon
4 min read

What is a Warrantable Condominium?

A warrantable condominium is a condo unit or building that meets specific financing and operations standards required for a government-backed…

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What is a Non-Warrantable Condominium?
Buying Soon
4 min read

What is a Non-Warrantable Condominium?

A non-warrantable condominium is a condo unit or building that fails to meet the minimum financing standards of government-backed mortgage groups.…

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What is Flood Insurance?
Buying Soon
3 min read

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is a specific type of homeowners insurance that covers losses and damage due to overflowing bodies of…

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What is a Contingency Clause?
Buying Soon
4 min read

What is a Contingency Clause?

A contingency clause is an addition to a real estate contract to let parties back out without penaltyunder certain…

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What is Listing Price?
Buying Soon
4 min read

What is Listing Price?

Listing price refers to the amount of money a seller sets as the asking price for their property when it is put up for…

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What is PITI?
Buying Soon
4 min read

What is PITI?

PITI is an acronym in mortgage lending that stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance, the four components of a monthly mortgage…

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What is Personal Liability Insurance?
Buying Soon
3 min read

What is Personal Liability Insurance?

Personal liability insurance is a component of homeowners insurance that provides coverage for legal responsibility for bodily injury or property…

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What Is The Federal Reserve?
Buying Soon
7 min read

What Is The Federal Reserve?

The Federal Reserve is the U.S. government's central bank. The Federal Reserve was established by charter in the Federal Reserve Act of…

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USDA Eligibility Map
Buying Soon
4 min read

USDA Eligibility Map

The USDA Eligibility Map is a free tool that shows which U.S. homes may qualify for a USDA…

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FHFA First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage Rate Discount: Explained
Buying Soon
4 min read

FHFA First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage Rate Discount: Explained

The FHFA Mortgage Rate Discount waives loan-level pricing adjustments (LLPAs) on conventional mortgages made to first-time…

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10 Ways to Get A Lower Mortgage Rate
Buying Soon
7 min read

10 Ways to Get A Lower Mortgage Rate

Today's mortgage rate for a conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is [substitext name="conv-30-year-fixed-rate-current"]. But let's say you want…

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What Is The Good Neighbor Next Door Program?
Buying Soon
8 min read

What Is The Good Neighbor Next Door Program?

Good Neighbor Next Door is a government-supported housing program that sells homes at a 50%…

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Mortgages for Nurses: A Guide
Buying Soon
7 min read

Mortgages for Nurses: A Guide

Nurses tend to have strong incomes and stable employment, which helps meet the mortgage industry’s 2-year work history requirement, especially…

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Choosing Between a Mortgage Broker, Lender, and Traditional Bank
Buying Soon
5 min read

Choosing Between a Mortgage Broker, Lender, and Traditional Bank

When buying a home, home buyers have three main options for where to get a mortgage: Choosing the right lender can save you time, money, and help you…

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Buying a Home From Your 401k Retirement Plan
Buying Soon
5 min read

Buying a Home From Your 401k Retirement Plan

401(k) loans are a relic from an era when low-down payment mortgages didn't exist. It's usually idea to avoid…

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