Redfin

JULY 18, 2025

This Redfin Real Estate article outlines practical steps every buyer should follow, from budgeting and touring homes to inspections and closing. This isn’t just about what a lender will approve – it’s about what fits comfortably within your financial life. Monthly payments Think beyond the mortgage itself.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 18, 2025

Key takeaways A short sale happens when a homeowner sells for less than they owe on the mortgage. For sellers , a short sale has to be approved in advance by the lender. A short sale happens when a homeowner sells their home for less than what is owed on the mortgage. The process has to be authorized by the mortgage lender.

Short sale

The Living Room

JUNE 13, 2025

Scheduling Inspections : Coordinating necessary inspections to ensure the property is in good condition. The Lender: Securing Your Mortgage Next is the lender, who plays a crucial role in securing the financing for your home. Referrals to Specialists : Suggesting further inspections if they find potential problems.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Key Takeaways: Shopping mortgage rates, reviewing your credit report, and looking into first-time home buyer programs can improve your financial situation and increase your choices. Don’t skip critical steps like the home inspection or negotiating closing costs. For instance, on a $350,000 mortgage, a 3.5%

Pre-approval

The Living Room

MAY 2, 2025

Securing Financial Backing: Early engagement with a lender to understand your mortgage options and get pre-approved is crucial. Prospective buyers should account for closing costs, inspections, and the ongoing maintenance associated with homeownership.

Earnest money deposit

Windemere Buying

JUNE 23, 2025

Use this time to create a monthly budget that includes future mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, taxes, and home maintenance. Boost Your Credit Your credit score has a significant impact on your buying power , including your mortgage rate and loan approval. The more you know earlier on, the more confident you’ll feel.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 28, 2025

You can sell a house as-is without an inspection, and a lot of sellers do when they’re hoping for a quicker sale. While encouraging buyers to waive an inspection contingency can save time and money upfront, it could come with some trade-offs: like fewer offers or legal repercussions if you’re not honest with buyers.

Inspection

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 5, 2025

Get Pre-Approved: Before you start seriously looking, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Don't waive inspections!: Factor in closing costs, potential repairs, property taxes, and insurance when determining your budget.

Marketing

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Between setting a budget, getting pre-approved, and closing the deal, getting everything squared away can make all the difference. Get pre-approved for a mortgage Estimated time: 1-2 weeks A mortgage pre-approva l is a lender’s assessment of how much they’re willing to lend you based on your income, assets, debts, and credit history.

Pre-approval

Windemere Buying

MAY 19, 2025

Buyers are responsible for securing financing , scheduling a home inspection, and getting the property appraised. Common Real Estate Contingencies Home Inspection Contingency After youve made an offer, a professional home inspector will thoroughly examine the property before the deal is finalized.

Home sale contingency

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

Step 1: Get pre-approved If you’re buying with a loan, include a pre-approval letter with your offer. A mortgage pre-approval can also reassure the letter that your financing is likely to be approved during closing. Combine inspections. Do some homework up front.

Pre-approval

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

In this Redfin article, find out how long it takes to buy a house based on the three most common scenarios – a cash offer, a mortgage, and a short sale. Collect paperwork for a mortgage If you’re planning on financing your home purchase with a mortgage, you’ll likely need to save for a down payment.

Pre-approval

Redfin

APRIL 4, 2025

Whether you’re selling a home in Denver, CO or a condo in Phoenix, AZ , a pre-listing appraisal can provide an accurate estimate of your homes value before it hits the market. What is a pre-listing appraisal? A pre-listing appraisal is a professional estimate of your homes value, completed before you put it on the market.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

JANUARY 22, 2025

Here are some tips that I feel are crucial: For Buyers: Get Pre-Approved: Know your budget and get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking. Do your homework: Get property inspections done and understand all the costs involved in homeownership in Florida.

New Construction

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

Selling a house with a mortgage isn’t unusual. In fact, most homeowners still have a mortgage when they sell. What follows is a straightforward breakdown of how to sell your house with a mortgage, step by step. Step 1: Get your mortgage payoff statement Before you call a real estate agent, call your lender.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Knowing your true budget means going beyond just what a lender will approve you for. Get pre-approved for a mortgage and have cash ready One of the biggest signals to sellers that you’re serious is a mortgage pre-approval letter. It speeds up the process once your offer is accepted.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 2, 2025

The below are common reasons that buyers back out of a home sale: Home inspection: If a professional home inspection uncovers structural defects, mold, pest infestations, or safety hazards, the buyer can invoke the inspection contingency. Financing: Even with pre-approval, buyers might fail to secure a mortgage.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

All mortgages place a lien on the property in the event that a lender needs to take ownership of the home. That means there’s no home inspection or appraisal. If the auction accepts financing, make sure you have a pre-approval ready. Short sales A short sale is not the same as a foreclosure or a pre-foreclosure.

Pre-approval

Lighter Side of Real Estate

MARCH 5, 2025

With more options available, buyers feel less urgency and are more likely to walk away during the inspection period or contingency phase, especially if a more appealing home hits the market. A pre-approval is great, but a buyer with strong financial reserves and a history of stable income may be less likely to back out.

Purchase and sale agreement

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

The first step to buying a house in New York is to assess your financial readiness and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Once you’ve found a home, you’ll need to make an offer, inspect the property, and navigate the closing process, which may involve legal nuances specific to New York.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JULY 14, 2025

Performing unauthorized inspections or repairs. Failing to deliver required documents (like updated proof of funds or loan pre-approval) by the contract deadlines. Example scenario: The buyer’s contract requires them to provide a mortgage commitment letter by a certain date.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 4, 2025

Avoiding foreclosure: Late mortgage payments are putting your home at risk, and selling could help you avoid foreclosure. This route eliminates many of the delays associated with listing a home, attracting buyers, and waiting for financing approvals. Bypass the usual mortgage process and close on your own timeline.

Pre-approval

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Your Credit Score With a better credit score , you will find it easier to get a mortgage and with better terms from the lender. A mortgage lender will check your credit score and financial history to decide how much they can lend to you. Compare what at least 3 lenders offer or go to a mortgage broker to find a lower interest rate.

Purchase and sale agreement

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 20, 2025

As per reports, the East Coast markets have not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, which keeps the market pace snappy. If you're thinking about buying or selling in one of these hot markets, here's what you need to know: For Buyers: Get Pre-Approved: Having a pre-approval letter in hand shows sellers that you're a serious buyer.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

In this article: Understanding if you’re ready to buy a home Budgeting for your first home Finding the right mortgage Navigating the homebuying process What comes next? You haven’t held a mortgage in three years. Job security: Stable employment and income are key indicators for lenders when qualifying for a mortgage.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 13, 2025

Try to avoid overlapping mortgage payments or being stuck without a home. As of early June 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 6.8–6.9% Beyond searching, many other parts of the homebuying journey have also moved online, including virtual tours, e-signatures, and online mortgage preapprovals.

Debt-to-income ratio

The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 1, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? Typically, a home renovation loan is a single mortgage that lets you both finance a home and renovate it.

Renovation

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

Skipping the home inspection or even small oversights can delay the closing date or have long-term consequences. Don’t ignore your credit history Your credit history impacts mortgage eligibility and the interest rate you’ll receive. What to do instead: Before applying for a mortgage, review your credit report.

VA loan

Redfin

JULY 7, 2025

Here’s where to start: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Inspect for cracks in the foundation, standing water around the home, or signs of poor drainage, which can lead to costly structural issues. Ask about past inspection reports, known issues, or pending maintenance that could affect the value or livability.

Pre-approval

HomeLight

APRIL 9, 2025

Threat of foreclosure: If you’re struggling with mortgage payments, selling your Richardson house can help you avoid foreclosure. HomeLights Simple Sale platform connects you with pre-approved cash buyers, helping you skip the usual headaches of listing, showings, and open houses.

Pre-approval

Inman

JULY 30, 2025

We've all been new at some point in our real estate careers. Annette DeCicco shares ways to spot an inexperienced agent if you're the more seasoned pro in a transaction, and mistakes to avoid if you're a newbie.

Agents

Redfin

JULY 15, 2025

Bring your documents Have your mortgage pre-approval letter on hand in case you want to move forward quickly. Inspect details Look for cracks in the walls, signs of water damage, uneven flooring, and the condition of windows and doors. Inspect with consideration Take your time, but be discreet. Always ask first.

Mortgage pre-approval letter

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

Pre-listing home inspection As the seller, it may be helpful to get an inspection of your home done before selling your home , though in most markets the buyer will pay for a home inspection and most states do not require a pre-listing home inspection.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

MARCH 5, 2025

Maintaining a low debt-to-income ratio and a strong credit score can also enhance your eligibility for favorable mortgage terms. A mortgage pre-approval can give you a clearer picture of your financial standing and help you secure a deal faster. The 28/36 rule is a common mortgage budgeting guideline.

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 1, 2025

Get Pre-Approved: Before you start seriously looking, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Don't waive inspections!: Factor in closing costs, potential repairs, property taxes, and insurance when determining your budget.

Marketing

HomeLight

MARCH 4, 2025

Preventing foreclosure: If youre falling behind on mortgage payments, selling quickly could help you avoid foreclosure and its long-term financial impact. After accepting, you can close quickly, skipping the usual wait for mortgage approvals or inspections. saving you time and unnecessary stress.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Research your new location and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Lean on your real estate agent for local expertise, virtual tours, and inspections. Your agent will help create a competitive offer that contains key contingencies, like an inspection and appraisal contingency, to include when buying out of state.

Pre-approval