Articles for Home Buyers

Browse our collection of articles to learn more about buying a home and getting a mortgage, whether you are a first timer or a veteran.

Our articles on buying a home cover topics from choosing a realtor, to how to go about securing a home loan, to the ins and outs of FHA loans. It is our goal to  equip you with all you need to know to make the right decisions as you take this big step. You may find more useful material in our archive of Ask Bill questions about buying a home.

Poor Credit Home Loans

Bad Credit Home Loans - Digging Yourself Out of a Hole?

FHA Guidelines

Learn How Much FHA Mortgage Insurance Will Cost in 2012

Private Mortgage Insurance: Costs of PMI

Mortgage Insurance: What it Does and How it Works

PMI: Low Down Payment

PMI: A Solution to Buying a House with a Small Down Payment

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford

Top 10 Items Lenders Want From a Home Buyer.

FHA Qualifications

FHA Pushes Lenders to Lower Credit Qualifications on FHA Loans.

The Hard Truth About the Dodd-Frank Act

Under Dodd-Frank, a Broker Cannot Get Paid by Two Sources

Why is My Loan Taking so Long?

Borrower Fatigue: Why it Takes so Long to Close a Mortgage

Use an FHA 203K Loan to Buy & Rehab a Home

Buy a Home That Needs Repairs with an FHA 203(k) loan

US New Home Sales Plummet in Feb 2011

New Home Construction Hits Record Low in February, 2011

Mortgages to Stay at Historic Lows

Recent FHA Loan Volume Weak, But Applications Strong

Polls: Americans Say Home Buying More Than An Investment

Americans Buy Homes For the Intangible Benefits, Not Investment Performance

Cost of Mortgages & Refinance Rise in 2011

Learn the Market Conditions for Mortgage Refinances in 2011

Obama Proposes Mortgage Servicer Standards

Mortgage Servicer Standards May Expedite Short Sales

7 Reasons to Choose a Mortgage Broker

How to Find a Great Deal and Great Service When Mortgage Shopping

Qualifying For a Mortgage

Learn What Mortgage Lenders Want From Perfect Borrowers

Three Fixed-Rate Mortgage Tips

Tips on Picking a Fixed Rate Mortgage

Looking at Closing Costs Around the Country

Looking at Closing Costs Around the Country

Refinancing Challenges

3 Things That Can Make It Hard to Refinance Today

ARM vs. FRM

ARM vs. FRM: Which is Right for You?

Smart Home Buying

What to look for when buying a new home.

How to ensure your new home isn't going to cost a fortune

What to look for before buying a home?

Looking to the Future of the American Housing Market

How Will Foreclosures Affect the Future of Home Buying?

Buying a Foreclosure Today: More than Just Paperwork

Is Buying a Foreclosed Home Right for You?

Buying a Home Step 6: Seal the Deal

What to Expect at Closing

Buying a Home Step 5: Insure Your Home

What is and is not Covered in a Homeowner's Insurance Policy

Buying a Home Step 3: Make an Offer

8 Clauses to Look for in an Offer to Buy a House

Buying a Home Step 2: Find a Home

10 Factors to Consider as You Search for a Home

Buying a Home Step 1: Shop for a Mortgage Loan

6 Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Mortgage

How to Compare Home Purchase Loan Rates

How to Compare Home Purchase Loan Rates

How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

How to Find a Great Mortgage

How to Find a Great Mortgage

FHA Mortgage Insurance | Help For First-Time Home Buyers

The FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Program at a Glance

Purchase a Home with Bad Credit

Bad Credit Home Purchase

The Makings of a Good Real Estate Deal

The Makings of a Good Real Estate Deal

Predatory Lending

Learn More About Predatory Lending And How To Avoid It.

Learn About the History of the FHA

The FHA Has Played an Important Part in Increasing US Home Ownership.

Types of FHA Mortgages Available

Learn the Strengths and Weaknesses of FHA Mortgages, and What the FHA Offers Today.

Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae

All About the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.

How You Can Get the Best FHA Mortgage Rates

Because Rates on FHA Loans Are Set by Each Lender, it Pays to Shop for the Best Rate.

Qualifying for a Mortgage: Part 1 - The Basics

Qualifying for a Mortgage: Part 1 - The Basics

FHA Loan Requirements | What You Need to Know - Read Now!

FHA Loan Requirements and Underwriting Standards

What are FHA Loan Limits for Me?

Since the Banking Crisis in 2008, FHA loans Have Been the Only Viable Option for Many Home Buyers.

Do I Qualify?

 
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