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

Breaking a Lease to Buy a House

This guide discusses breaking a lease when you're ready to buy a house to help renters make better home-buying…

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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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 How To Write a Mortgage Gift Letter for Your Down Payment
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…

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

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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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 Is It A Good Time To Buy A House [April 2024]
Buying Soon
4 min read

Is It A Good Time To Buy A House [April 2024]

This unbiased article examines current mortgage rates, recent home values, and market sentiment to show why April 2024 looks like a good time to buy…

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 Best Low Down Payment Mortgages For First-Time Buyers
Just Starting
6 min read

Best Low Down Payment Mortgages For First-Time Buyers

There are several opportunities for home buyers to purchase their first home with a low down payment mortgage. Buyers can qualify for mortgages with…

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 What Is 100% Mortgage Financing?
Just Starting
1 min read

What Is 100% Mortgage Financing?

100 percent mortgage financing allows buyers to finance the entirety of their home’s purchase price. This means a down payment isn’t a…

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 What Do You Need To Buy a House? 7 Checklist Items
Just Starting
8 min read

What Do You Need To Buy a House? 7 Checklist Items

If you’ve ever wondered if homeownership is possible for you, you’re not alone. It’s a process, but homeownership is possible — and it’s…

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