Don't Overpay. Learn About Mortgages
How to Buy Your First Home
Thinking of buying your first home? Read this step-by-step guide to learn how to prepare AND avoid the common mistakes first time homebuyers make.
How to Save for a House
Saving for a house down payment takes patience and discipline. Read on for smart tips on how to save enough money to buy a house and some mistakes to skip.
Mortgage Reviews
SoFi Mortgage Review: Is It Good Legitimate Lender?
Thinking about buying a home or refinancing your existing mortgage? Is SoFi a good online lender or should you stick with a traditional bank? Read on for the pros and cons.
Buying Tips
How Much House Can I Afford? Smart Rule of Thumb
A simple estimate is to spend 28% of your monthly income on housing payments. But is that ideal? Learn how to better calculate how much house you can really afford.
Recent Articles
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck
Decks could add value to your house. But how much would it really cost to build a deck? And do you need a permit? Read on for the answers.
Historical Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have seen major highs and lows since Freddie Mac started tracking them in 1971. Rates have gotten as high as 18.63% and as low as 3.31% for a 30-year fixed rate loan. Mortgage rates today remain on the low end, with the average ...
What Does an Underwriter Do?
Mortgage underwriting is where key decisions are made in the lending process. The underwriter has the power to approve or decline your loan application. Yet, you never talk to this "mystery person."
How Long Does Underwriting Take?
Underwriters have your financing in their hands. They can decide "yes" or "no". Learn how the mortgage underwriting process works and how to speed it up.
What is PMI And How to Avoid It
Planning to put down less than 20% on your mortgage? You'll need Private Mortgage Insurance. Learn all about PMI and how to get rid of it below.
Shocking Truth about Average Apartment Rent
Expect to pay an average of $1,350 per month to rent an apartment in the United States. If you live in a high-cost area, like San Francisco, though, start saving now as you could pay an average of $3,253 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Average Cost to Build a House
It costs builders an average of $311,022 to build a home today. But the average cost to buy a home is $468,318. More than half of the home's cost goes to the actual construction of it. The remaining costs go to financing, marketing, and profits.
Average Bedroom Size May Surprise You
Legally, a bedroom only has to measure 70 square feet. Luckily, the average apartment bedroom measures 132 square feet and the average bedroom in a home is 219 square feet.
Average Utility Bills Will Shock You
You pay an average of $2,200 per year for your utilities. $1,200 of that money is for electricity alone. Just where else is your money going?
Average Cost of Moving Will Scare You
Moving can cost as much as $6,000 for the movers alone. This doesn't take into consideration packing supplies, moving a car, or heavy items.
