Learning Center

First-time home buyer guides, helpful mortgage tips, and easy-to-follow articles to make you a better first-time buyer.

Explore Topics

How to Move Out of Your Parents’ House Quickly
Buying Soon
1 min read

How to Move Out of Your Parents’ House Quickly

Moving out of your parents’ home is a major life…

Read More →

The $15,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: Reviewed
Just Starting
11 min read

The $15,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: Reviewed

The First-Time Homebuyer Act of 2024 is a new bill that gives first-time home buyers up to $15,000 in federal tax credits paid as cash or claimed for…

Read More →

7 Steps to Buy a House Out of State
Just Starting
10 min read

7 Steps to Buy a House Out of State

Whether you’re moving out of state for a new job, to be near family or just a change of pace, buying a new home is a straightforward process. With…

Read More →

43 Curb Appeal Ideas for First-Time Home Buyers
Just Starting
13 min read

43 Curb Appeal Ideas for First-Time Home Buyers

Our curb appeal guide offers 43 practical ideas to improve your home's appearance, increase its market value, and make it more welcoming for…

Read More →

26 Architectural House Styles: Homes That Built American Neighborhoods
Buying Soon
13 min read

26 Architectural House Styles: Homes That Built American Neighborhoods

There are 26 popular house styles in the U.S. today. See them in pictures and learn how the experts decorate each type.…

Read More →

The Home-Buying Guide for Pet Parents
Just Starting
14 min read

The Home-Buying Guide for Pet Parents

How to shop for homes as a pet parent. Complete guide and checklists…

Read More →

Should I Buy A Move-In Ready Home?
Just Starting
8 min read

Should I Buy A Move-In Ready Home?

Are you a candidate for buying a move-in ready home? Read about turnkey homes and decide whether you should buy…

Read More →

What is The $25,000 Downpayment Toward Equity Act? [Explained]
Just Starting
15 min read

What is The $25,000 Downpayment Toward Equity Act? [Explained]

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act gives up to $25,000 as a cash grant to first-time, first-generation home…

Read More →

14 Energy-Efficient Home Features to Look For When House Hunting
Buying Soon
1 min read

14 Energy-Efficient Home Features to Look For When House Hunting

An energy-efficient home is designed to conserve and reduce energy use. A home’s construction, appliances, and major features can all impact…

Read More →

What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House?
Just Starting
1 min read

What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House?

Based on conventional mortgage guidelines, home buyers need a minimum 620 credit score to buy a house. But, there are other loan types with lower…

Read More →

10 Unique Ways to Make Money With Your New House
Under Contract
6 min read

10 Unique Ways to Make Money With Your New House

Homeownership can be a terrific financial opportunity. With each mortgage payment, you build home equity and create wealth for yourself. This is how…

Read More →

100 Best Cities For Young Adults and Professionals
Buying Soon
13 min read

100 Best Cities For Young Adults and Professionals

Young professionals can work and live almost anywhere in 2024. We looked at every city in the U.S. to rank the the best cities for young adults.…

Read More →

The 3-Step Process That Successful Home Buyers Follow
Just Starting
1 min read

The 3-Step Process That Successful Home Buyers Follow

Home buyer competition is fierce. The buyers who win are the buyers who…

Read More →

What Is The Conventional 97 Mortgage?
Just Starting
6 min read

What Is The Conventional 97 Mortgage?

Conventional 97 is the generic name for Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s three percent down, 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan for…

Read More →

What is a USDA Mortgage?
Just Starting
34 min read

What is a USDA Mortgage?

USDA loans are 100% mortgages backed by the USDA. They're known for low mortgage rates, discounted mortgage insurance, and no down payment…

Read More →

How To Document Your Cash Gift For Down Payment
Under Contract
1 min read

How To Document Your Cash Gift For Down Payment

Nearly 25% of first-time home buyers down payment gifts to help buy a home, according to the National Association of…

Read More →

Ready to get started?

Finding your dream starts here. Apply in minutes.

Get Pre-approved
© 2021-2024 All rights reserved. Growella Inc d/b/a Homebuyer. Homebuyer.com is powered by Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank, NMLS 423065. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org Homebuyer is located at 230 Findlay Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214. Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank, is located at 20225 Water Tower Blvd. Suite 400, Brookfield, WI 53045. We have no affiliation with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Department of Agriculture, or any other government agency. US Government agencies have not reviewed this information and this site is not connected with any government agency. Equal Housing Lender. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. The receipt of the application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply.