Buy
How Much House Can You Afford?
Lenders will usually approve you for more than you should spend. Here is how to work out a number that fits your actual life, not just …
Buy
Make your next move with confidence.
Learn about mortgages, inspections, offers, closing costs, neighborhoods, and the complete homebuying process.
Buying a home is the largest purchase most people ever make, and it is made up of dozens of smaller decisions: how much to borrow, which loan to choose, what to ask during a showing, when to walk away. This hub organizes that process into a clear sequence, from the first conversation with a lender to the day you get the keys.
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9 chapters · 24 min read
The First-Time Homebuyer Guide
Everything a first-time buyer needs, in the order it happens. Nine chapters covering money, mortgage, search, offer, inspection, and closing day.
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Mortgage Preapproval Explained
A preapproval turns you from a browser into a buyer. Here is what lenders check, what you need to hand over, and why the difference bet…
Buy
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
The inspection is your best chance to find out what you are actually buying. Here is how the appointment works, what the report will an…
Buy
Homebuying Closing Costs Explained
Closing costs typically run 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price. Here is what each line item actually pays for, and which ones you can…
Start here
New to this? These cover the fundamentals.
Buy
Mortgage Preapproval Explained
A preapproval turns you from a browser into a buyer. Here is what lenders check, what you need to hand over, and why the difference bet…
Buy
15 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home
Fifteen questions worth asking before you write an offer — and what the answers tell you.
Buy
How to Choose the Right Neighborhood
You can renovate a kitchen. You cannot renovate a location. Here is how to evaluate a neighborhood before you commit to one.
Buy
Earnest Money: How Much and When You Get It Back
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit that proves you are serious. It is refundable more often than buyers think — and forfeitable in w…
Buy
How Much Do You Really Need for a Down Payment?
Twenty percent is a norm, not a requirement. Here is what each down payment level actually costs and saves.
Buy
9 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes That Cost Real Money
Most first-time buyer regrets trace back to a small number of predictable mistakes. Here they are, with what to do instead.
Going deeper
The working detail behind each decision.
Buy
How Much House Can You Afford?
Lenders will usually approve you for more than you should spend. Here is how to work out a number that fits your actual life, not just …
Buy
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
The inspection is your best chance to find out what you are actually buying. Here is how the appointment works, what the report will an…
Buy
Homebuying Closing Costs Explained
Closing costs typically run 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price. Here is what each line item actually pays for, and which ones you can…
Buy
How to Make an Offer on a House
An offer is more than a number. Price, contingencies, timing, and deposit size all signal something to a seller — and each of them is n…
Buy
Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA Loans Compared
The right loan program depends on your credit, your cash, your service history, and where the house is. Here is how the four main optio…
Advanced topics
For specific situations and more complex transactions.
Buy
Buying New Construction: What to Know Before You Sign
A builder's contract is written by the builder. Here is what to negotiate, what to inspect, and what the warranty actually covers.
Buy
Buying a Condo: What to Check Before You Commit
With a condo you are buying into a small government as well as a home. Its balance sheet matters as much as the unit.
Common questions about buying a home
How much do I need saved to buy a home?
Down payment plus closing costs plus reserves. A 5 percent down payment on a $350,000 home is $17,500, closing costs commonly add $8,000 to $15,000, and you should aim to keep two to six months of housing payments after closing.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Conventional loans generally start around 620 and FHA can go lower, but the best pricing begins around 740. The difference between a 660 and a 760 score routinely exceeds $50,000 in interest over a 30-year loan.
How long does the homebuying process take?
Commonly three to five months from preapproval to keys, with 30 to 45 days between an accepted offer and closing.
Should I waive the home inspection?
Rarely. If you must compete, an information-only inspection preserves your right to know while removing the renegotiation clause.
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Prepare, price, and sell smarter.
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Homeownership made easier.
Follow maintenance schedules, prevent costly repairs, understand home systems, and protect your investment.
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Love where you live.
Discover renovation ideas, design inspiration, landscaping projects, energy upgrades, and practical DIY advice.
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