Seller concessions are closing costs or fees that a seller agrees to cover to help reduce a buyer’s upfront expenses. These costs are negotiated during the offer process,…
Read more Seller Concessions 101: What They Are and How They Can Help You SaveFirst-time and new-home buyers face escrow adjustments and potential back taxes after closing. Getty Images Most homebuyers figure that their property taxes will be the same as those…
Read more You’ve just bought a new house. What will you pay in taxes? Don’t be misledMoving into a new home is exciting, but that feeling can quickly be replaced with dread when you’re faced with a sea of moving boxes. Whether you’ve relocated…
Read more 8 Simple Tips For Unpacking After a MoveMoving into a new home is exciting, but an often-overlooked step of the homebuying process is setting up utilities for your new house. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer…
Read more Setting Up Utilities for A New House: How to Prepare Your HomeKey takeaways Your down payment is not included in your closing costs; they’re two separate expenses you pay during the homebuying process. The down payment goes toward your…
Read more Is Down Payment Included in Closing Costs?Key Takeaways • Builders often win bidding wars because they can pay cash and close quickly. • You can still compete by learning how to make a strong…
Read more How to Win a Bidding War on a House Against BuildersMoving into a new home is exciting – but before you unpack, it’s worth tackling a few projects that are easier (and cheaper) to do in an empty…
Read more 10 Home Improvement Projects to Tackle Before Moving Into a New HouseContingencies are an essential part of any home purchase contract, protecting buyers from financial risk if things don’t go according to plan. The financing contingency, also known as…
Read more What Is a Financing Contingency, And How Does It Work?Key takeaways: You may be ready to buy if you have steady income, manageable debt, savings for a down payment and emergencies, and plan to stay in your…
Read more Am I Ready to Buy a House? 8 Signs You’re Ready to OwnIf you’re buying or selling a home, you’ve probably heard about contingencies – contract terms that must be met for the sale to move forward. But how often…
Read more How Often Do Contingent Offers Fall Through?When you make an offer on a home, you usually put down earnest money to show the seller you’re serious. This money is held in escrow until the…
Read more What Happens to Your Earnest Money at Closing?Buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments, and protecting it should be a top priority. That’s where homeowners insurance comes in. Homeowners insurance helps protect your…
Read more What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover? Understanding Your Coverage, Costs, and MoreContingencies are an important part of the homebuying process, giving buyers a safety net during the transaction. They are conditions written into the purchase agreement that must be…
Read more A Buyer’s Guide to the 8 Most Common Real Estate ContingenciesWhen you buy or sell a home, the close of escrow is one of the most important steps in the process. It’s the point when the sale is…
Read more What Is “Close of Escrow”? Timeline, Process, and What To ExpectKey takeaways Mortgage down payment gift rules allow family members and close relatives to help buyers with home purchases. Lenders require a gift letter documenting the source and…
Read more What to Know if You’re Using Gift Money for a Down Payment: Rules to FollowWhen you make an offer on a home, you’ll usually include earnest money – a good-faith deposit between 1% to 3% of the purchase price that shows you’re…
Read more Is Earnest Money Refundable? When You Can (and Can’t) Get It BackIf you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to close on a house in less than 30 days, the answer is yes – it can be done in under…
Read more Can You Close On a House in Less Than 30 Days? Yes, Here’s HowWhen you own or are buying a home, you’ll encounter assessed value and market value. While they both measure what your home is worth, they’re used for very…
Read more Assessed Value vs. Market Value Explained: What is My Home Actually Worth?When you buy a home, closing costs can feel like a significant expense, often with thousands of dollars due at the time of signing. Many buyers naturally wonder…
Read more Are Closing Costs Tax-Deductible?Applying for a mortgage is one of the biggest financial steps you’ll ever take – and while many applications are approved, not every loan makes it through underwriting.…
Read more How Often Does an Underwriter Deny a Loan?