Freddie Mac Home Possible: Requirements and Income Limits
Freddie Mac Home Possible is a 3% down conventional loan for buyers whose qualifying income is at or below 80% of the area median. Here are the credit,…
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Home Buying
Credit Score to Buy a House: Minimums and What’s Good
There is no single credit score to buy a house. See the minimum for each loan type, what your score range usually gets you, and what a higher…
Loans for Distressed Property: How to Finance an As-Is Home
Yes, you can finance a foreclosure or an as-is home. The home's condition and your plan for it decide which loan can close.
FHA Loan Pros and Cons: Should You Get an FHA Loan?
An FHA loan accepts lower credit scores and 3.5% down, but its mortgage insurance usually lasts the life of the loan. Here is how the tradeoff works and…
Houses Under $50,000: Where They Are and How to Buy One
Houses under $50,000 still exist, but they are rare and often need work. Here is where they are, what to check before you buy, and how financing works…
Lender-Paid Mortgage Insurance (LPMI): How It Works
Lender-paid mortgage insurance (LPMI) removes the monthly PMI charge in exchange for a higher rate that lasts for the life of the loan. Here's how it compares with…
401(k) Loan for Down Payment: How It Works and the Risks
You can borrow from your 401(k) to buy a house if your plan allows loans. Here are the IRS limits, how mortgage lenders treat the loan, what it…
Debt-to-Income Ratio: What Lenders Allow for a Mortgage
Your debt-to-income ratio decides how much mortgage a lender will approve. See how to calculate it, which debts count, and the DTI limits for each loan type.
What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted: The Timeline to Closing Day
From earnest money and the Loan Estimate to the appraisal, Closing Disclosure, and final walk-through, here is what happens after your offer is accepted and how to keep…
How Much House Can I Afford? A First-Time Buyer’s Guide for 2026
Lenders decide what you qualify for using debt-to-income ratios and the cash you bring to closing. Here is how those rules translate into a price range at today's…