Purchasing your own home may be the largest purchase you can make. The median monthly mortgage payment in the U.S. is $1,100, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau — and this doesn’t include other costs related to homeowners insurance and property taxes. 

If you want to save thousands on your home purchase, there are multiple ways to reduce your total cost. Read on and discover four ways to save money on your home purchase.

Expand Your Search Area & Criteria

If you’re searching for a house in the city center or a specific area, but you now realize it’s very much out of your budget, you may want to try broadening your search area. By re-prioritizing, the items on your wish list can give you opportunities you didn’t even think about, which

As a renter, you weren’t responsible for performing routine home maintenance, let alone dealing with repairs and emergencies. As a homeowner, however, it’s essential that you are financially prepared to handle each of these unavoidable events. While facing repairs and emergency expenses will still be stressful, being prepared for them will ensure that your financial position isn’t threatened by the unexpected.

As you read through our recommendations, keep in mind that they are developed with the average expenses faced by a homeowner in the US. If you have purchased a new home, your repair fund will not need to be as large. If you’ve purchased a home that is over 30 years old, plan for roof, plumbing, window, HVAC, and electrical issues that are

Who doesn’t want to get a good deal on a home? It’s normal for home buyers to try and negotiate with sellers to get the best deal possible.

But in this seller’s market, where homes are selling fast and buyers don’t always have a lot of wiggle room to negotiate, you may be wondering if you can still bargain.

The good news is, yes, there are still concessions you can get. We share some things you can haggle with your seller even if they don’t want to budge on price.

Ask sellers to make repairs to the home.

If the home you are buying needs some repairs, it can be an excellent opportunity to ask your seller if they can make repairs before they sell. If damages come up during a home inspection, sellers would likely agree to a concession since

While house hunting, you might have seen some listings of homes sold “as is.” Home buyers might find these types of homes attractive because they’re typically priced lower than similar houses. Before you purchase an “as is” home, you must be able to decipher if the home is sketchy or not.

Here’s what to watch for if you plan to purchase a home as is.

Potential Foundation Problems

Correcting foundation problems is one of the most expensive repairs you can do to your property. The foundation of a house is one of the most, if not the most important, part of a house. Purchasing a home with a faulty foundation can cause you thousands of dollars to fix the problem.

All poured concrete foundations will crack sooner or later, but hairline cracks

One aspect of home ownership that we appreciate most is the ability to choose a home that perfectly suits our needs. A growing family will often choose to upsize, perhaps making room for children, pets, crafting areas, or a home office. At a later stage, however, homeowners may begin to recognize several signs it’s time to downsize.

There are plenty of benefits to be gained by downsizing. Still, we recognize how difficult it can be to leave behind a home in which your most precious memories have been made.

Let’s go through several excellent reasons to downsize.

You Plan to Age in Place

Aging in place has multiple proven benefits, including improved physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being metrics. Still, if your current home

Many homeowners are busy preparing their homes for sale. Are you among them? Selling now certainly makes sense. The housing market continues to favor sellers, with most listings pulling in plenty of competing offers.

Even with the persisting seller’s market, in order to maximize the sale price of your home, you’ll want to eliminate or fix anything that could potentially hurt your home appraisal. A high appraisal will ensure that you can earn top dollar for your home, while a low appraisal can cost you tens of thousands at closing.

Keep in mind that not all home renovation projects will yield a healthy ROI. It’s vital that you consult with your real estate agent to learn more about which recommended upgrades and repairs will be most likely to net

Are you a single parent who dreams of owning a home but nervous that you’ll encounter too many challenges? We’ve got good news for you!  There are home buying assistance programs that can help you purchase a home.

If you’re a single mom or dad who wants to buy a house, we’re here to list some loan programs that might work best for you.

Best Loan Programs for Single Moms and Dads

Single parenthood often means having a tighter budget, so a loan program with looser eligibility requirements is typically your best bet. 

Fortunately, various loan programs are designed for lower-income homebuyers –many of which offer low down-payment options.

Here are some of the best loans programs to help fund single parents’ home-buying journey:

FHA

Many homebuyers across the U.S. wonder how to save for a down payment with a tight budget. With rent rates climbing, inflation rising, and house prices still high, saving money for a down payment has become more tricky.

The good news is that you can use several tips and tricks to save money and cut expenses. Let's explore some ways you can save money for a down payment.

Commit To Cut Unnecessary Spending

Cutting out on unnecessary spending can help your savings grow. Even though cutting out on extra spending is unpleasant, it can help you save money for the down payment. We're going to list down some places you can consider cutting:

• Spend less on take-out. Even coffees or too many ice cream runs add up quickly.
• Skip the vacation

Many homebuyers don't know they can take a second mortgage on their homes. The first loan, the primary mortgage, is taken while purchasing a property. A second mortgage is a type of mortgage that lets you borrow against the value of the same property while your first loan is not fully paid. 

Knowing how second mortgages work can be beneficial in the future, especially when you need quick cash for an emergency, school fees, debt, and more. In this article, we’re going to break down how second mortgages work and when you might consider getting one.

What is a Second Mortgage?

A second mortgage is a type of subordinate mortgage obtained while a primary mortgage is still in effect. In cases of default, the proceeds from the home’s liquidation

If you want to purchase a house for the first time but don’t have enough money for a down payment, getting a state or local down payment assistance program might be the best option.

We’re going to look at what down payment assistance programs are all about and how you could qualify for one.

What is Down Payment Assistance? 

Down payment assistance is any funding option or program that makes it easier for homebuyers to get the money they need for a down payment. Both public and government agencies offer these programs, usually as grants. They typically work by either providing the buyer the funds to cover the down payment or waiving the down payment requirements. 

Most of the time, you need to meet some specific income requirements to