Helpful Links


Have questions about buying a home?  Visit these links to find answers and useful information. 


Buying a house - what you need to know
Are you thinking about buying a house this year?
Read Thinking about buying a house in 2018? Here’s what you need to know 
(Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Determining how much house you can afford
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a veteran house hunter, determining how much you can afford to spend on a new property isn’t always simple.
Read How Much House Can I Afford? 
(Source: U.S. News and World Report)

Understanding your credit score
FICO® Scores are the credit scores used by 90% of top lenders to determine your credit risk. Your FICO® Scores (you have FICO® Scores for each of the 3 major bureaus) can affect how much money a lender will lend you and at what terms (interest rate).
Read What is a FICO® Score? 
(Source: Fair Isaac Corporation - FICO)

Getting advice about building your credit
Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues. 
Find a housing counselor in your area
(Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Learning about mortgage insurance 
If you’re a hopeful homebuyer on a tight budget, private mortgage insurance may be a component of the loan your lender will offer. It’s an extra cost that you’d have to shoulder, but you might not qualify for the mortgage you want without it.
Read What Is Mortgage Insurance? 
(Source: U.S. News and World Report)

Choosing a realtor
Wondering how to choose a realtor? Purchasing a new home takes some serious prep work.
Read How to Choose a Realtor When You're Looking to Buy - one of the first steps for home buyers
(Source: National Association of Realtors)