Straight answers about buying, selling and paying for a home, written in plain English. Pick your goal below and start with the first article. Each one links to the next step, so you never have to guess what to read next. New here? Buyers start with the checklist, sellers start with the cost of selling, and everyone should know their budget first.
Buying a home
- First-Time Homebuyer Checklist: Step by Step
- How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?
- Buyer Agreements Explained: What You Sign Before You Tour
- What Is Earnest Money? How Much, Where It Goes and How to Protect It
- Home Inspection Checklist: What Inspectors Check and What to Ask
- Understanding Closing Costs: What Buyers Pay
- Relocating to a New State: A Buyer's Guide
- Is It a Buyer's Market? How to Tell and What to Do
Full walk-through: home buying guide.
Selling a home
- How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?
- How to Price Your Home Right in a Shifting Market
- Home Staging Tips to Sell Faster
- Selling a Home When Interest Rates Are High
- Seller's Market Trends: When to List Your Home
Full walk-through: home selling guide.
Paying for a home
- How to Budget for a Home When Rates Are High
- How to Improve Your Credit Score for a Better Mortgage Rate
- FHA vs. Conventional Loans: Which Is Right for You?
- Down Payment Assistance Programs: How They Work
- What Moves Mortgage Rates, and the Parts You Control
Full walk-through: home financing guide.
Local market guides
Prices, taxes, neighborhoods and closing rules change by city. Read the guide for where you want to live, or see the national housing market. New to the lingo? Start with the real estate glossary.
Where to start
Where should a first-time buyer start?
Start with the first-time homebuyer checklist, then get pre-approved so you know your budget before you tour homes.
Where should I start if I am selling?
Start with what it costs to sell a house, so you know your real take-home number, then get a free home value estimate.
Are these articles financial or legal advice?
No. They are general information. Rules change by state and loan type, so talk to a licensed agent, loan officer or attorney about your situation.
What Moves Mortgage Rates, and the Parts You Control
Everyone wants to know where mortgage rates are going. Here is the truth: nobody knows for sure. Forecasts miss all the time. What you can control is the rate you personally get. That part is worth your time. What moves rates for everyone The bond market. Mortgage rates tend to follow long-term bond
Selling a Home When Interest Rates Are High
When rates are high, buyers can afford less each month. Some wait. The ones still shopping are careful. You can still sell well. You just have to sell to the buyer who is actually out there. Know today's buyer Higher rates mean tighter budgets. Buyers want a home that is move-in ready and won't need
How to Price Your Home Right in a Shifting Market
Price is the biggest lever you have when you sell. Price it right and buyers show up in the first weeks, when interest is highest. Price it too high and your home sits, and buyers start to wonder what is wrong with it. Step 1: Start with recent sales Your agent pulls homes like yours that sold nearb
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