Perhaps you feel more at home surrounded by pastures than pavement. If so, buying a home might be well within reach, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture mortgage program. In fact, the USDA might have one of the government’s least-known mortgage assistance programs. A USDA home loan is a zero down payment mortgage for eligible rural and suburban homebuyers. USDA loans are issued through the USDA loan program, also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program, by the United State... read more

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Allowing down payments as low as 3.5% with a 580 FICO, FHA loans are helpful for buyers with limited savings or lower credit scores. Whether you're already sure an FHA loan is right for you or you're still trying to figure out just what the FHA is, we've broken it all down. No need to wade through the FHA handbook; find answers to all your FHA FAQs right here. What is an FHA loan? An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing A... read more

1. Reprogram the ThermostatChange your temperature settings to make your home ready for the colder weather. Make sure the house is warm when people are active (mornings and evenings). But don’t be afraid to lower the temperature by several degrees or more when the family is away or sleeping. Even smart programmable thermostats may need some help figuring out your winter schedule! 2. Clean Your Furnace and Switch Out Your FiltersCheck your furnace for soot, ignition problems, pilot light health and the state o... read more

When the real estate bubble burst, thousands of Americans found themselves in possession of a home that had lost a lot of its value and a mortgage that didn't reflect that. Some owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth, and because most banks at the time required a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80% or less, many of these homeowners were unable to refinance. So in 2009, the government stepped in and created the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to enable these homeowners to refinance to get a m... read more

As your family grows, it's important to create an environment that's conducive to creating lasting experiences and memories. That's why you should ensure your family has a comfortable and spacious place to live. Cost Buying a home is a massive investment that'll require upfront costs. You'll need to consider whether you have enough to cover the down payment, closing costs and more. Sure, it's possible to negotiate a portion of the fees with your agent's help; however, you don't want to come to the table with n... read more