A typical down payment on a house in the United States used to be a straightforward 20 percent. However, due to the soaring home prices today, a 20% down payment has become unattainable for many, especially first-time home buyers. Lenders have adapted to this shift and now offer more flexibility, with some government programs even featuring no down payment options for eligible individuals. Instead of feeling discouraged, consider the evolving world of down payments and explore alternative solutions.
Category: Buy a House
No Down Payment Mortgage | Buying a House with No Money Down
A no down payment mortgage is like the holy grail for first-time home buyers, and any home buyer for that matter. Everyone wants to find it, but finding one involves some luck, some preparation and some research. The requirements and eligibility are tightly regulated, but if you are willing to look at down payments that are almost zero, the options open up a bit more. Let’s look at both zero down payment mortgages and “almost zero” low down payment opportunities.
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First Time Home Buyer Down Payment | Here’s What You Need to Know
A first time home buyer down payment is one of the big hurdles for folks just starting out on the home buying journey. It can stop some people from even going any further because they feel like they could never save up enough to make a down payment. Many still think that they need a 20% down payment on a home to get approved for a mortgage, even though the median down payment is much lower than that. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may have a lot of questions. Here are some answers.
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Conventional Loan Down Payment | Here’s What You Need to Know
The conventional loan down payment has undergone a very unconventional transformation in the last couple of decades. Home prices went nuts, interest rates spiked and the traditional 20 percent down payment – which was the default throughout the mortgage industry – has been downsized. Now the answer to “how much of a down payment do I need for a conventional loan?” is: it depends.
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FHA Loan Down Payment | Here’s What You Need to Know
An FHA loan down payment can put homeownership in your reach, even if you don’t have a great credit score. As you know, coming up with a down payment is one of the most significant hurdles to overcome, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. How does the FHA system work, who is eligible and how do you apply? Let’s take a look at all of it.
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Average Down Payment on a House in the U.S.
The average down payment on a house in the United States used to be a straight-up 20 percent. But that doesn’t really work for a lot of people anymore. With the price of homes today, a 20 percent down payment puts buying a home out of reach, especially for first-time home buyers. Lenders have become more flexible and there are even some programs that feature no down payments if you qualify. Before you throw up your hands and think you’ll never be able to afford to buy a home, let’s take a look at the changing landscape of down payments.
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Is it a Buyers or Sellers Market?
Whether it is a buyers or sellers market – now and in the near future – will be the topic of conversation for anyone buying a new home or selling their current home. The real estate market is an ever-changing landscape that can shift between favoring buyers or sellers at different times. Understanding whether it’s currently a buyers’ market or sellers’ market is crucial for both home buyers and sellers. Let’s dive into the definitions of buyers and sellers markets. Then we will look at some helpful tips for sellers in a buyers market and buyers in a sellers market. Finally let’s discuss important questions to ask your agent in each scenario.
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What is Residential Real Estate?
Residential real estate is an industry word that describes what most of us are doing – buying new homes and selling our previous homes. It’s the default. Most real estate agents deal with residential real estate, so it’s a term that describes 73% of the market (according to the National Association of Realtors). What are residential properties and what makes them different? What makes them special?
Listing Agent vs Selling Agent | What’s the Difference?
The listing agent vs selling agent confusion is caused by the real estate terminology that gets associated with these roles. It’s a tangle, but it’s important to know the difference if you are shopping around for a real estate specialist to help you buy a new home or one to sell your current home. And sometimes, you need both.
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REALTOR® vs Real Estate Agent | What is the Difference?
The REALTOR vs real estate agent debate creates a common dilemma that comes up when it comes to entering the world of real estate. Both can help you buy your next home or sell your current house. But what is the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent, or better yet, which one is better?
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