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Answering Your Top Questions About Home Affordability Calculators

HomeLight

There are a host of other costs that come with homeownership, and knowing how much you’ll really end up paying can feel like guesswork. You may be wondering how affordability calculators work if you’re ready to get some numbers down on paper before showing up for a pre-qualification meeting with a lender.

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Mastering Mortgage Basics: 10 Key Concepts Every Homebuyer Should Know

Redfin

Government-backed loans, such as FHA or VA loans, provide more flexible qualification criteria and specific benefits. Mortgage rates are influenced by various factors, such as the borrower’s credit score, loan-to-value ratio, loan term, and prevailing market conditions. What is a mortgage? How does a mortgage work?

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Am I A First-Time Homebuyer? Who’s Qualified … And Who Isn’t

HomeLight

VA loans also offer even more benefits, like better interest rates and less strident qualifications — but as the name indicates, they are only available to current military members or veterans (or their spouses). You may think homeownership is impossible, but it may not be as far from your reach as you think. Source: Surface / Unsplash).

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The Credit Score Needed to Buy a House With No Money Down

Marco Santarelli

Some lenders may require higher scores, especially for borrowers with other risk factors, such as a high debt-to-income ratio or a short credit history. Buying a house with no money down is possible, but it requires a good credit score. To buy a house with no money down, you typically need a credit score of at least 620.

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7 Things Sellers Need to Know About FHA Loans When Fielding Offers

HomeLight

As a seller, you’re usually not taking on additional risk by accepting an offer from a buyer pre-approved for an FHA loan than you would with a buyer pre-approved for a conventional loan. You’ve just received the first offer on your home — and it’s backed by an FHA loan. So what do you need to know about FHA loans as a seller?

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Thinking About a Rent-to-Own House? Here’s What You Need to Know

HomeLight

Additionally, a certain amount of the monthly rent is also typically stipulated to help cover the buyer’s closing costs or down payment. For example, monthly rent on the house is $2,000, and the buyer agrees to pay an additional $300 a month, which will go toward closing costs on the purchase.”. Lease-option agreements.

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Buying a House in San Diego? Local Real Estate Agents Share 15 Tips First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Redfin

Get pre-approved for a mortgage My advice to first-time homebuyers is to find a good loan officer and get pre-approved, fully underwritten approval is best. – Robert Cenzer | Redfin Agent Don’t jump in and start house hunting until you have been pre-approved by your local bank or lender.