Featured resources

Patio outside home with sliding glass doors outside living room.

4-minute read

How to find liens on a property: A home buyer's guide

It's essential to find and clear any liens on a property you plan to buy. Here’s how to look for, find, and resolve liens on a property before you buy it.

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A Black woman with her daughters on a couch, looking at a computer, potentially in a home setting.

4-minute read

What is a dry closing in real estate?

In dry-funding states, everything except the payment can be completed at closing. Learn about how a dry closing works, what the risks are, and where it's legal.

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A white brick house, illustrating residential architecture and exterior design.

7-minute read

Can you use a VA loan for a second home?

VA loans are designed to help military personnel, veterans, and their families buy a primary residence, but there are ways you can use one to buy a second home.

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Young man talking to his older father.

4-minute read

Understanding right of survivorship: What you need to know

Learn how right of survivorship transfers a home to a surviving co-owner, as well as how joint tenancy and community property with the right of survivorship com...

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A woman with glasses using her laptop with some worry.

6-minute read

The ATR/QM rule: What it is and what borrowers should know

Lenders have an obligation to make sure you can repay a mortgage before they give you a loan. The ATR/QM rule helps then evaluate your finances.

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Friends living together, suggesting a group of friends sharing a living space or residence.

6-minute read

Tenancy in common (TIC): What is it and how does it work?

Tenancy in common is when two or more people share ownership of a property. Learn more about tenants in common and how they compare to other tenancy types.

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Senior woman in pink blouse reviewing paperwork in sunny living room.

6-minute read

Escrow refund: What is it and when does it occur?

An escrow refund is excess money returned by your lender from your mortgage escrow account. Here’s how it works.

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A senior couple relaxing on couches in a living room, indicating a comfortable and relaxed retirement setting.

6-minute read

What to consider before getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A home equity line of credit can help you pay for home renovations or consolidate debt. However, there are pros and cons to a HELOC worth considering.

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Two men reviewing paperwork in a modern office.

7-minute read

10 questions to ask when refinancing your mortgage

While you’re comparing rates, speak with lenders and get answers to your questions. Use our list of questions to help guide your conversation.

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4-minute read

Mortgage par rates: What are they and how do they work?

Your mortgage par rate is essentially the baseline rate offered to you by a lender. You may be able to bring this rate down through discount points and more.

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A large stone house with a stone driveway, showcasing a grand residential property.

4-minute read

How to remove a name from a mortgage

If you’re going through a divorce or you purchased a home with a fellow investor, there may come a time when you need to remove a name from a mortgage. We...

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Mother in kitchen cooking while father feeds child in high chair in dining room.

10-minute read

15 first-time home buyer tips

Purchasing your first home can be overwhelming. These first-time home buyer tips can help you tackle the process with more confidence.

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A house with peeling paint, suggesting a property in need of maintenance or renovation.

9-minute read

How to find fixer-upper homes: Everything you need to know

Are you searching for a fixer-upper to be your dream home or your next fix-and-flip? Learn how to find and buy a fixer-upper that won’t turn into a mon...

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A dark brown and light brown speckled brick home with a white sandstone garage, showcasing unique exterior materials.

10-minute read

What is a purchase-money mortgage?

This type of financing is unique because a purchase-money loan allows the buyer to finance the seller. Her...

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Windowed Interior

5-minute read

The appraisal waiver: What home buyers should know

Appraisals are often mandatory during a real estate transaction. However, sometimes an appraisal waiver makes sense, can save you money, and expedite your sale.

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A family sitting comfortably on a couch, possibly in a home setting.

5-minute read

A guide to understanding bundle of rights in real estate

A bundle of rights in real estate refers to the legal rights associated with property ownership: the rights of possession, control, enjoyment, disposition, a...

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An aerial view of buildings surrounded by trees.

6-minute read

What is condemnation in real estate?

What is condemned property? Condemnation occurs when the government uses eminent domain to take property. Learn what condemnation can mean for homeowners.

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Group of three women talking and laughing.

4-minute read

Can you get an ARM for an investment property?

Adjustable-rate mortgages have pros and cons for investors. You may benefit from a lower rate at first, but non-owner-occupied rates are still higher.

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