Smart Ways to Start Saving for a Down Payment
Building Your Path to Homeownership: Smart Ways to Save for a Down Payment Saving up for a down payment can feel like one of the biggest hurdles on the road to buying your first (or next) home—it’s totally normal to find it a bit overwhelming at first. But here’s the encouraging part: you don’t have […]
Should You Make Extra Mortgage Payments? What to Know
Speeding Up Your Mortgage Payoff: Is It Worth It? Many homeowners dream of being mortgage-free sooner, and tossing in extra payments now and then can feel like a win. It absolutely can be—by chipping away at the principal faster, you’ll cut down on total interest and could shave years off your loan. But it’s not […]
How to Budget for Homeownership: Beyond the Mortgage Payment
Beyond the Mortgage: The True Costs of Owning a Home Buying a home is thrilling—finally having a space that’s all yours! But let’s be real: the monthly mortgage is just the starting point. There are plenty of other expenses that come with the territory, and overlooking them can lead to some unwelcome surprises down the […]
Home Energy Savings Tips During Summer Months
Beat the Heat Without the High Bills: Smart Summer Cooling Tips Summer’s here with all its fun—longer days, outdoor vibes, and that relentless warmth that cranks up your energy use. Air conditioning running overtime, extra lights on, and more cooking or laundry can push electricity bills higher, often hitting averages around $178 per month in […]
What Income Level Do You Need to Qualify for a Home Purchase
As of January 1, 2026, homeownership continues to be within reach for a wide range of buyers, though elevated home prices and mortgage rates mean income plays a crucial role in qualification. There’s no universal minimum salary required—lenders assess your entire financial profile—but most experts point to household incomes in the $110,000–$140,000+ range to comfortably […]
Understanding an Appraisal Contingency
Protecting Yourself When Buying a Home: Understanding Contingencies When purchasing a new house, buyers can include various contingencies in the offer contract. These are specific conditions that must be fulfilled for the deal to proceed. If a contingency isn’t satisfied and the buyer isn’t happy with the outcome, they can typically withdraw from the agreement […]
Should I Buy or Rent a Home in 2026? Rent vs. Buy Guide
Deciding whether to buy or rent a home in 2026 is one of the biggest financial choices many Americans face. With 30-year fixed mortgage rates starting the year around 6.15-6.2%, modest home price growth forecasted at 1-4% nationally, and rents expected to rise 0.3-3% depending on property type, the housing market is stabilizing after years […]
How to Choose the Best Location for Buying a Home
The classic real estate saying—“location, location, location”—remains one of the most important truths in home buying. But if you’re not sure which area is right for you, how do you decide? Here are the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect place to put down roots. 1. Budget and Affordability A realistic budget is […]
Essential Costs Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Budget
Stepping into homeownership for the first time is thrilling, but the total cost goes well beyond the sticker price on your dream house. In 2026, with mortgage rates trending downward (potentially dipping into the high-5% range by year-end), improving inventory, and moderate home price growth, affordability is slowly getting better—yet many hidden or upfront expenses […]
5 Proven Strategies to Accelerate Your Down Payment Savings
As we kick off 2026, aspiring first-time home buyers are facing a more balanced market with mortgage rates expected to hover in the low- to mid-6% range (around 6.0-6.3% on average for 30-year fixed loans, according to forecasts from Fannie Mae, Realtor.com, and others). Home prices remain elevated, but with slightly improving affordability and more […]
