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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 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?
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3 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?
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3 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?
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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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 The November 2023 Federal Reserve Meeting & Mortgage Rates
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6 min read

The November 2023 Federal Reserve Meeting & Mortgage Rates

The Federal Reserve voted “no change” on the Fed Funds Rate at its November 2023 FOMC Meeting by unanimous vote. The pause held the…

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 USDA Eligibility Map: Updated for 2024
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4 min read

USDA Eligibility Map: Updated for 2024

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
8 min read

FHFA First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage Rate Discount: Explained

The first government relief program for first-time home buyers is here.  With mortgage rates at 20-year highs and home affordability worsening,…

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 10 Ways to Get A Lower Mortgage Rate
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7 min read

10 Ways to Get A Lower Mortgage Rate

Is now a good time to buy a house – with mortgage rates at 20-year highs? When mortgage rates elevate, be savvy. Maneuver for better rates.…

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 Good Neighbor Next Door Program: Get a Home for 50% Off
Buying Soon
9 min read

Good Neighbor Next Door Program: Get a Home for 50% Off

The Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) sales program is part of the government’s affordable homeownership directive for revitalizing U.S.…

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 Top 4 Home Loans for Nurses
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8 min read

Top 4 Home Loans for Nurses

Nurses are an essential part of society and make for terrific homeowners. Nurses have high wage incomes and stable employment. Plus, they meet the…

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 Mortgage Broker vs Lender vs Bank: What’s Best For You?
Buying Soon
6 min read

Mortgage Broker vs Lender vs Bank: What’s Best For You?

When you buy a home, you have three options for where to get a mortgage: Choosing the appropriate lender type will save you time and money on your…

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 Buy a House With a 401(k) Retirement Plan
Buying Soon
7 min read

Buy a House With a 401(k) Retirement Plan

First-time home buyers can buy a house with a 401(k) retirement plan but it’s generally a bad idea. Here’s why: 401(k) loans are a relic…

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 How Medical Debt Affects Your Credit Score Now
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6 min read

How Medical Debt Affects Your Credit Score Now

In July 2022, the credit bureaus made a decision to remove medical debt from changing credit scores. In a joint statement, credit-scoring competitors…

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 First-Time Home Buyer Tips From a 20-Year Mortgage Professional
Buying Soon
10 min read

First-Time Home Buyer Tips From a 20-Year Mortgage Professional

This article is a collection of the most important pieces of advice for first-time home buyers I’ve gleaned throughout my career. This is real…

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 How to Fix Your Credit to Buy a Home in 6 Months
Buying Soon
9 min read

How to Fix Your Credit to Buy a Home in 6 Months

It’s simple to improve your credit score. Generally speaking, the most well-known way to fix your score is to pay down your balances and begin…

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 How to Get Pre-Approved For a Mortgage in 4 Simple Steps
Buying Soon
8 min read

How to Get Pre-Approved For a Mortgage in 4 Simple Steps

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is straightforward, simple, and among the most important things you can do when you’re planning to buy a…

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 Breaking a Lease to Buy a House
Buying Soon
7 min read

Breaking a Lease to Buy a House

When your dream home comes on the market, you may feel pressure to make an offer and buy it. But, if you’re renting and have a lease, buying a…

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