Buying your first home in 2026 takes more than just saving for a down payment — it takes smart planning, a strong team, and a clear understanding of your options. These tips will help you navigate your first home purchase with more confidence and avoid costly missteps along the way.
Closing cost assistance from the seller and other parties can be a big help when closing a home purchase. How much can you receive?
Homeowners should decide, based on their unique situation, whether now is the right time to refinance. The best refinances save thousands of dollars, but a new loan can help in other ways, too.
Can a Reconsideration of Value (ROV) help increase your home's value for a mortgage?
Even brand-new homes can hide serious flaws, which is why many experts recommend a professional inspection before closing—even if the property appears perfect. While an inspection may add costs and delay your timeline, it can help uncover critical issues early, give you leverage with the builder, and provide peace of mind.
An expiring appraisal can put a damper on your home purchase or refinance. Here's how long they last before you need a new one.
Paying off debt at closing can help you qualify for a loan even if your current DTI is too high. You just have to commit to paying down at least enough debt to move your DTI into the approval zone.
An attorney opinion letter can save a homebuyer $1,000 in closing costs according to Fannie Mae. But what are the risks?
We ran the numbers and found that a car payment can reduce homebuying power significantly. How much can you afford if you make a big car purchase?
We dug into the numbers to find out what someone needs to make to potentially qualify to buy a $300,000 home.
