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Buying a First Home in an Expensive Area

Buying a First Home in an Expensive Area

For Americans living and working in the nation’s most expensive real estate markets, homeownership can seem like the impossible dream. Prices are high and options can be limited. It may feel like home values rise faster than your ability to save up

Jul 01, 2020 | Purchasing a Home

Understanding Mortgage-related Insurance

Understanding Mortgage-related Insurance

When you buy a home with a mortgage, you will be required to pay all sorts of insurance, including homeowner’s insurance, title insurance and private mortgage insurance. What are all these policies and why do you have to pay for them? Homeowner&rsq

Jun 03, 2020 |

How Long Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last?

How Long Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last?

Getting pre-approved before shopping for a new home is a smart idea, but what if you don’t find the right home quickly? How long does that pre-approval last? Pre-approval Defined Before going out with a real estate agent to look for the perfect pr

May 06, 2020 | Purchasing a Home Preapproval

How to Buy a Home During COVID-19

How to Buy a Home During COVID-19

With most of the country on shelter-in-place orders due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the homebuying process has undergone plenty of changes for those still looking to get into a home of their own. Buyers, sellers and real estate agents have had

Apr 08, 2020 | Purchasing a Home

Will an Employment Gap Hurt My Chances for Mortgage Approval?

Will an Employment Gap Hurt My Chances for Mortgage Approval?

Employment history is a very important aspect of a mortgage application. Mortgage loans are usually for substantial sums of money and lenders want to reduce the risk that borrowers will default. One sign that a borrower will be consistent in making their

Mar 11, 2020 | Mortgage Advice

Should You Buy a Second Home as Your First Home?

Should You Buy a Second Home as Your First Home?

There is a new trend catching on among younger urban residents: renting in the city and buying a vacation home as their first house purchase. This unconventional approach to first-time homebuying is one way for these buyers to achieve homeownership and al

Feb 12, 2020 | Purchasing a Home First-time Homebuyers