If you plan on buying a new house, you should thoroughly research the property that meets your needs. But you shouldn’t only be diligent about the house-hunting part during your research. You would also like to know more about the neighborhood you’re about to relocate to.

If you’re confused about what you should look for in a community, here are ten things to consider in looking for your ideal neighborhood.

1.) Neighborhood Safety

Safety and security should be your top priorities when moving to a new location. Do your homework to research specific crimes in the area. You can also visit the local police department and ask questions about which part of the neighborhood has a higher crime rate.

2.) Parks & Recreation

If you have kids,

There are plenty of reasons why you should boost your credit score. But if you’re preparing to purchase a house, know that an exceptional credit score can increase your chances of getting a lower interest rate on your home loan. 

If you want to raise your credit score, there are several quick, simple things that you can do. While it might take some months to see an improvement in your credit score, you can start boosting your credit in just a few hours.

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a number from 300 to 850 that predicts your likelihood of repaying your debt. The higher the score, the better a borrower looks to potential lenders.

Your credit score is calculated based on various factors: payment history, debt burden, length of

Who doesn’t want to get a good deal on a home? It’s normal for home buyers to try and negotiate with sellers to get the best deal possible.

But in this seller’s market, where homes are selling fast and buyers don’t always have a lot of wiggle room to negotiate, you may be wondering if you can still bargain.

The good news is, yes, there are still concessions you can get. We share some things you can haggle with your seller even if they don’t want to budge on price.

Ask sellers to make repairs to the home.

If the home you are buying needs some repairs, it can be an excellent opportunity to ask your seller if they can make repairs before they sell. If damages come up during a home inspection, sellers would likely agree to a concession since

While house hunting, you might have seen some listings of homes sold “as is.” Home buyers might find these types of homes attractive because they’re typically priced lower than similar houses. Before you purchase an “as is” home, you must be able to decipher if the home is sketchy or not.

Here’s what to watch for if you plan to purchase a home as is.

Potential Foundation Problems

Correcting foundation problems is one of the most expensive repairs you can do to your property. The foundation of a house is one of the most, if not the most important, part of a house. Purchasing a home with a faulty foundation can cause you thousands of dollars to fix the problem.

All poured concrete foundations will crack sooner or later, but hairline cracks

Many homebuyers don't know they can take a second mortgage on their homes. The first loan, the primary mortgage, is taken while purchasing a property. A second mortgage is a type of mortgage that lets you borrow against the value of the same property while your first loan is not fully paid. 

Knowing how second mortgages work can be beneficial in the future, especially when you need quick cash for an emergency, school fees, debt, and more. In this article, we’re going to break down how second mortgages work and when you might consider getting one.

What is a Second Mortgage?

A second mortgage is a type of subordinate mortgage obtained while a primary mortgage is still in effect. In cases of default, the proceeds from the home’s liquidation

If you want to purchase a house for the first time but don’t have enough money for a down payment, getting a state or local down payment assistance program might be the best option.

We’re going to look at what down payment assistance programs are all about and how you could qualify for one.

What is Down Payment Assistance? 

Down payment assistance is any funding option or program that makes it easier for homebuyers to get the money they need for a down payment. Both public and government agencies offer these programs, usually as grants. They typically work by either providing the buyer the funds to cover the down payment or waiving the down payment requirements. 

Most of the time, you need to meet some specific income requirements to

Buying mortgage points is a way to secure a lower interest rate during the home buying process. It can save you several thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan and lower your monthly mortgage payment. Check out this nifty guide to learn how they’re calculated so you can assess if purchasing mortgage points makes sense for your situation.

Mortgage Points: What are they?

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are fees you pay your lender to reduce your interest rate when you purchase homes or refinance. You’ll give your mortgage lender cash upfront to reduce your interest rate for the life of the loan. 

Should You Buy Discount Points?

If you have the budget for buying points, the decision often comes down to

Do you have plans to purchase a retirement house? It doesn’t matter if you’ve already retired or still have a long way to go before retiring. The perfect time to plan for your future home is now. 

This article will break down essential details that you’ll need to consider before buying your retirement home.

Should you buy before or after retiring?

Purchasing a retirement home well before retirement age has many benefits. Firstly, it’s easier to qualify for a mortgage while still having a job and the income to pay expenses. Secondly, you could put the house up for rent for profit –or at least to cover the monthly mortgage of the second home. 

Buying a home after retiring also has its perks. First, if you’re not sure where you want to

Did you know that you could save thousands of dollars if you prepare your credit before applying for a mortgage? Your credit score is one of the most critical factors that determine your mortgage interest rate and which home loan program you qualify for.

This article will show you how you can get your credit in top shape for your upcoming mortgage.

1.) Learn where your credit scores stand.

First off, know that your credit score doesn’t have to be perfect to buy a home. Several loan programs allow buyers with credit scores in the low 500s to purchase a home. However, you should be aware that with low credit scores typically come paying higher interest rates.

Because of this, we recommend you begin by checking your credit scores so that

If you think that buying a house with bad credit is impossible, we have good news! It may be more complex, but it can be done!

But before you go house hunting, it's essential that you review your financial situation. Homeownership involves unexpected expenses that may be hard to cover if you're financially unstable. 

Let's look at how lenders understand a bad credit score, the loan options available for struggling credit, and the average credit requirements for getting approved for a loan.

What Is Considered A Bad Credit Score?

When it comes to conventional home loans, mortgage lenders can set their own credit score requirements. Because credit scores are used to determine risk, they essentially set the maximum risk they are willing to