Home appraisal What is a home appraisal? And why is it so important? A home appraisal ensures that you don’t overpay for a property Most mortgage programs require home appraisals Appraisals may identify other problems with the property, such... Read More

Cash to close (CTC) definition The term “cash to close” or “funds to close” is not the same as your closing costs or your down payment. Your “cash to close” equals your purchase price and closing costs, minus... Read More

There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they get married or start a family, some might think they are... Read More

A recent survey conducted by Harris Poll and released by SunTrust Mortgage found that “55% of homeowners with a child under the age of 18 at the time when they purchased their home said that the opinion of their offspring played a major role... Read More

According to recently released data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median number of days that a home spent on the market hit a new low of 26 days in April, as 57% of homes were on the market for under a... Read More

So, you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call a ‘home,’ and you’ve finally found it! The price is right, and in such a competitive market, you want to make sure that you make a great offer so that you can guarantee... Read More

Homeowner expenses are more than your mortgage New buyers can be caught off guard by the costs of owning a home. Here are some top home expenses to consider before buying: Annual repair and maintenance Property taxes and homeowner’s... Read More

Mortgage interest rates have risen by more than half of a point since the beginning of the year, and many assume that if mortgage rates rise, home values will fall. History, however, has shown this not to be true. Where are home values today... Read More

What is a down payment? A down payment is what you pay for a home purchase. How much down payment do you need for a house? Anything from zero to 100 percent. The difference between your down payment and the purchase price is your mortgage. You must... Read More

So you made an offer, it was accepted, and now your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Oftentimes, agents make your offer contingent on a clean home inspection. This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you... Read More

There are many unsubstantiated theories as to why home values are continuing to increase. From those who are worried that lending standards are again becoming too lenient (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices... Read More

Rents race to the top If you’re renting a house in hopes of saving money, you might want to re-think that strategy. According to a new report, single-family rents are up significantly over the year–particularly on lower-end... Read More

There are obvious benefits in buying a house. Not least, you get somewhere to live. But there are a number of other upsides that are slightly or considerably less apparent, and they aren't all about money. There are seven "hidden" benefits of owning... Read More

According to the Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index, the U.S. housing market has continued to move deeper into buy territory, supporting the belief that housing markets across the country remain a sound investment.... Read More

The Federal Reserve lifted the federal funds rate last Wednesday by a quarter percentage point to a range of 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent. Two more rate hikes are expected this year. Three are expected in 2019, rather than two as initially... Read More