What the experts say: Should you buy a home with someone you’re not married to?
Is homeownership romantic? Or a business decision? Should you buy a home with someone you’re not married to? That question means different things to different people. Perhaps you’ve already set the date for your wedding. Or you might never want to marry. Or maybe you have no romantic attachment at […]
The Five-Year Rule for Buying a House
My entire family got involved when I first considered buying a house, since I have the luck of being related to real estate agents, investors, and other experts that are more than happy to give advice about buying a property — even before I ask. The first thing they asked me […]
Here’s How to Buy a House: A Step-by-Step Guide for the First-Time Home Buyer
The steps to buy a house might seem complicated at first—particularly if you’re a first-time home buyer dipping a toe into real estate for the very first time. Between mortgage rates, property taxes, negotiating with sellers, and closing the deal, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There’s so much at stake! […]
How to Save For a House
If you rent a home or apartment, you’ve probably dreamed about one day ditching your rental bill and investing in a home of your own. Investing in property has long been a part of the American Dream, but the seemingly insurmountable down payment obstacle stops most would-be homeowners right in […]
Why you can be denied a mortgage, and what to do if it happens
About one out of every nine loan applications to buy a new house (10.8%) and more than one in every four loan applications to refinance a home were denied in 2018, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. There are lots of reasons someone may be denied a […]
What Is a Reverse Mortgage and What Does It Mean to Me?
A reverse mortgage is an increasingly attractive proposition for older Americans who may be low on cash, need to supplement retirement income, and want to use their home equity to remain in the house they own. Reverse mortgages are loans that enable U.S. homeowners over the age of 62 to cash in […]
Here’s What Homeowners Must Remember at Tax Time This Year
At NerdWallet, we adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. Here’s how we make money. Homeownership traditionally comes with some great tax breaks, but lots of things are different this year due to new […]
House hunters, hurry up! Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest level in a year
Mortgage rates fell to their lowest level since early 2018, according to the latest Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.37% for the week ending Feb. 14, 2019, according to the survey, sliding from last week’s percentage. This week’s rate is slightly higher than last year’s rate of 4.38%. […]
Can You Use Your 401K for a Down Payment on a Home Without Getting Penalized
It’s not uncommon for homebuyers to tap into their 401K or other savings when coming up with a down payment. Buying a house is expensive and putting down 3% to 20% can be difficult without using your retirement savings. Here’s a look at the two ways you can use your […]
10 Important Things to Consider When Getting a Home Loan
Getting a home loan can be quite stressful, particularly if it is the first time that you apply for one. Being prepared can reduce the stress involved in the application. Here are some important points that you need to consider: Read the documents carefully Read all the agreement documentation carefully […]