Writing a letter to a home seller can help when making an offer on a home. Learn which details can make your offer appealing, and how it can benefit you.

A mortgage is a type of secured debt, meaning it’s backed by your home as collateral. Learn how secured loans differ from unsecured ones.

Private mortgage insurance can be a tricky subject, so we broke down what PMI is, how much it costs, and how to tell whether it's the right option for you.

Before you buy a lake house, you should understand the financial implications of owning one. Here’s a comprehensive list of pros and cons to help you.

The day of the month you close affects when your first payment is due, how much interest you pay at closing, and your taxes. Learn about the best time to clo...

How often can you refinance your mortgage? Technically, you can refinance as many times as you want. Learn the pros and cons of refinancing more than once.

Becoming a homeowner is still possible with a low income. See what low-income house buying programs and strategies can help when applying for a mortgage.

A kick-out clause allows sellers who’ve accepted an offer to continue showing their home. Learn about other features of a kick-out clause in real estat...

A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds current conforming mortgage limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Learn more about how jumbo loans work.

Your loan-to-value ratio measures your loan amount against the value of the home you’re buying. Figure out how your LTV ratio is calculated.

A real estate purchase agreement is a contract covering the details of a real estate transaction. Learn more about purchase agreements and their key componen...

Starting your home buying journey with a salary of $100,000 a year? Find out your mortgage options and how much house you can afford with $100K.

A utility easement is what allows public utilities like sewage, electricity, water and more to exist. Learn about how utility easements can impact homeowners.

Getting a mortgage can feel daunting if you’re a first-time home buyer. Learn the steps you must take to prepare for and successfully apply for a mortgage...

The conforming loan limit in most areas in 2025 is $806,500 for one unit. A home above this limit may require a jumbo loan. Learn about jumbo loan limits.

A down payment is the percentage of a home's purchase price you pay up front. Learn how down payments work and how much you should put down on a house.

There are several ways to defer capital gains taxes on real estate investments. The right one for you depends on your situation. Learn about your options.

If you’ve invested in rental property, you may enjoy some tax benefits. Learn the top 6 tax benefits of owning rental property from deduction to depreciat...