10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership

1.      Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2.      Develop a wish list of what you’d like your home to have. Then …

The Pros and Cons of Condos

Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in most areas. But consider these facts before you buy.

1. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings.

2. Outdoor space. Yards …

Tips on Buying in a Tight Market

Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy steps.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable …

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you …

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.

1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.

2. How much you owe. Owing …

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.

1.      Check for and correct errors in your …

 8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such …

For many aspiring homeowners, saving for a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles to homeownership. Are you looking for Down Payment assistance or know someone who could benefit?

The good news? Down payment assistance (DPA) programs are available to help bridge the affordability gap. But how do you …

Getting Ready for Closing (Settlement) 

Lots to do and so little time!  Everything that you need to know but are afraid to ask about the title search and title insurance, utility connections, property insurance, the final walk-through, review of the settlement statement, and the actual transfer of …

Make an Offer 

Those weeks of searching are about to come to an end, found the home you want.  Now is the time to write up an offer and start negotiations with the seller on your behalf.  There sure are a lot of confusing forms to sign! Once …