When it comes time to sell your home, you'll need to decide which types of repairs and improvements you'll want to make before it's listed for sale. Should you update your kitchen? Apply fresh paint to the living room? Plant flowers? Clean or... (Read More)

Think that you need a 20 percent downpayment to purchase a home? Many prospective home buyers buy into this myth, studies show. Yet research shows that among those who take out a mortgage to purchase a home, the median downpayment is about 10... (Read More)

Have an appointment with a title company to close on the purchase of your home? Here's what you'll need to bring with you on that big day: | Money: At closing, you'll be paying for your share of the closing costs and any down payment. Since cash... (Read More)

Think you need a huge down payment in order to buy a home? Then you're in for some good news. The "need" for big down payments is a myth in today's lending environment. Truth is, programs offered by three federal agencies are helping borrowers... (Read More)

Winter can be a great time to sell a home if you properly manage the challenges that come with colder weather. Here are several things to keep in mind if you're selling your home during the coldest months of the year: Keep it tidy. Keep your yard... (Read More)

Homeowner and renter insurance plans are designed to protect you in the event of a disaster such as a fire. But with all the items in an average household, it's imperative that you document your belongings so that you can file an accurate and timely... (Read More)

Your credit score has more of an impact on your monthly mortgage payment than you might think. Generally, the higher your score, the lower the mortgage you may be able to qualify for. And the lower your credit score, the higher your mortgage... (Read More)

Do you know the difference between discount points and origination points? These are two important terms any home buyer should understand. Each type of point is equal to 1 percent of your total loan amount. For example, on a $200,000 loan, one... (Read More)

The VA home loan program is one of the most flexible and attractive ways to finance a home today. There's no set downpayment requirement, no private mortgage insurance and rates are lower compared with some other types of loan programs. It's also... (Read More)

Is there anything holding you back from buying a home? In the latest Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey by the National Association of Realtors, non-homeowners were asked about the barriers preventing them from purchasing a home... (Read More)