Accumulating down payment money for a house is important, but can be challenging, especially for millennials bogged down in massive student loan debt. But don’t despair. Help is available through down payment assistance programs —...


Accumulating down payment money for a house is important, but can be challenging, especially for millennials bogged down in massive student loan debt. But don’t despair. Help is available through down payment assistance programs —...

The financial world hangs on the mere hint of a possible interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve. But what about rank-and-file consumers? What does the Federal Reserve do, and how does it affect what...

When applying for a mortgage, one of the first decisions a buyer must make is whether to lock in an interest rate on a mortgage. It’s somewhat of a gamble, but can be less stressful...

If you’re in the market for a home with a hefty price tag — we’re talking a half-million dollars or more — it would be a good idea to study up on what’s known in...

Buyers who put less than 20 percent down on a home might find themselves with a higher-than-expected monthly payment. The extra money, which often takes first-time homebuyers by surprise, is for private mortgage insurance. What...

You’ve sacrificed, scrimped and saved for the down payment on your first home. But have you saved for the whole new world of expenses that comes with home ownership? If not, you could get blindsided...

How much is a home worth? That’s the crucial question asked by home buyers and their lenders in a sales transaction. It’s up to a professional real estate appraiser to analyze the property and market...

If your dream home is a fixer-upper, but cash is tight, a 203 (k) program offered by the Federal Housing Administration could make ownership a reality. Known as FHA Section 203(k) insurance, the program allows...

Real estate commission rebates can be a great tool to help clinch a deal. What exactly is a commission rebate? How do they work? Here’s what buyers and sellers need to know. How does a...

When you buy a home, your mortgage is sold to you by a banker or broker on the primary mortgage market. When that first lender sells your mortgage to another firm, your mortgage enters the...