Tag: Home Buying Tips
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Paying the Agents: In “Post-Commission” Times, Buyers Finally Have a Say
Last year, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settled a major lawsuit and agreed to change the way agents get paid. Buyers now know they’re covering their agents’ commissions themselves. Once NAR agreed to new rules, as part of the $418 million lawsuit settlement, some people predicted a new wave of buyer-friendly competition among agents.…
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Buying a Home With Student Loan Debt in 2025
Do you have, or plan to have, student loan debt? Here’s a PSA for you: Yes, you can qualify for a mortgage, if you’ve determined homeownership is for you. More than 40 million people of the United States have student loan debt. And some 17 million of them are in the age category that produces…
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Is the 30-Year Mortgage Best?
Most home buyers go with a 30-year mortgage. There are other options — most notably the 15-year mortgage. The shorter mortgage typically comes with a lower interest rate. But it also means higher monthly payments. The monthly weight of a 30-year mortgage is easier to handle. This, in turn, makes homeownership an easier reach for…
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Someone’s Got to Do It: Are You Holding the Deed to a Haunted House?
Maybe you’re looking at homes you might want to buy. Maybe you already hold a deed. In any case, your late October thoughts may turn to spirits, and ghosts, and all kinds of past matters that haunt homes. It happens to the best of us — even well-known politicians have to deal with such matters,…
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Wire Fraud at Closing. Who’s on the Hook?
Over the past three years, wire fraud in home purchases has gone up sharply. Many victims are turning to court to seek damages after losing much of their life savings to the scammers involved. But who can they go after? The bank? An insurer? The title company? The agent? Some of the players (like banks…
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Still on the Fence About Selling or Buying This Summer? Consider This.
On the fence about selling your home? Or maybe you’d love to be a buyer, but wonder whether to watch and see if mortgage rates drop… And why not wait for better rates, if you have time to spare? Then again, summer is a traditionally popular time to move. Did you know most deeds change…
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Dreaming of Homeownership: Is a Duplex Worth Considering?
Got homeownership dreams? A duplex could be a way to break into today’s housing market. A duplex, of course, is a home property made up of two units. Typically, the two units share a wall but have separate entrances. So a duplex is essentially a house, divided into two homes. With home prices as high…
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All About DTI: How Much Debt Is Too Much If I Want to Buy a Home?
Receiving the deed to a home is a major milestone. Typically, it depends on an earlier milestone: the mortgage approval. Apply for a mortgage, and lenders will consider your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Why the DTI? Essentially, the lender wants to know how much of your earnings you spend, using credit. A low DTI suggests that…
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Get in Early, Make a High Down Payment: The Case for Assertive Home Buying
Have you noticed the big home finance companies desperately touting their low-down-payment deals? You’d think no one wants to put 20% down anymore! But interest rates are high, so keeping your debt high is a pricey thing to do. Therefore, it can make sense, for those who can swing it, to: Let’s explore the case…
