Mortgage Purchase What if you can't afford closing costs? 6 ways you can still buy a home. If you can’t afford closing costs, you can waive or avoid up-front expenses so you can still buy a home. Decide which strategies are best for you. Real estate agent fees: What percentage do Realtors get? Real estate agent fees are a closing cost for both the buyer and seller. You can negotiate your commission for Realtors. Learn how agent fees could affect you. Seller concessions: An inside look at a powerful real estate negotiating tool Seller concessions are incentives sellers give home buyers, such as money toward closing costs or repairs. Learn how concessions can benefit both parties. 7 strategies for reducing closing costs There are many ways to reduce closing costs, such as using lender credits or negotiating. Learn about your options for lowering closing costs to find the best fit. How recording fees work and how much they cost Recording fees cover entering your house deed and other real estate documents into the public record. Learn how much you could pay in recording fees. Mortgage Loan Estimate: How it works and how to read it A Loan Estimate is a document a lender gives you after you’ve applied for a mortgage, explaining the potential terms and costs. Learn how to read a Loan Estimate. Can you buy a house with no credit? Yes — here's how. You can buy a house with no credit history, but you need to be strategic. Search for the right lender and type of loan. Learn how to buy a house with no credit. How to build a new house with a USDA construction loan USDA construction loans help low-to-moderate-income borrowers build homes in rural areas with only one set of closing costs. Find out whether you qualify. Are closing costs tax deductible? Closing costs can be expensive, but some are tax deductible. Learn which closing costs are deductible when you file your taxes and how these deductions work. Closing Disclosures: What they are and why they matter Your mortgage lender will give you a Closing Disclosure three days before closing, which explains your loan terms and costs. Learn how a Closing Disclosure works. Property survey: Process, costs, and how to read the report A property survey establishes your land’s boundaries, and many lenders require one when you buy a house. Learn how to get a survey and how much it costs. How to buy a house without a Realtor To buy a house without a Realtor, you’ll need to keep up with market trends and negotiate the offer contract yourself. Learn how to buy without an agent. How long is mortgage preapproval good for? A mortgage preapproval usually lasts for at least 30 days, sometimes longer. Learn how preapproval works and what to do if yours expires before you buy a home. What documents do I need for mortgage loan preapproval? When you apply for mortgage preapproval, you need documents showing your identity, income, assets, and debts. Learn how to prepare for a preapproval application. Mortgage lender fees: How they differ from other closing costs Mortgage lender fees are paid to the lender rather than third-party companies. Examples might be application or underwriting fees. Learn how lender fees work. What is a mortgage application fee, and do you have to pay it? A lender may charge a mortgage application fee when you submit your final loan application. Find out whether you have to pay a mortgage application fee. How to buy a foreclosed home Buying a foreclosed home can be more affordable and faster than purchasing a traditional house, but there are challenges to consider. Learn how the process works. Real estate contingencies: What they are and how they protect buyers Real estate contingencies help home buyers withdraw from the transaction without facing penalties. Find out which contingencies you can include in your offer. Does mortgage preapproval hurt your credit score? Mortgage preapproval does hurt your credit score, but it’s a relatively small hit that doesn’t last too long. Learn how to minimize the damage to your score. Cash to close: What you'll owe on closing day Cash to close is the total amount you owe on closing day, including your closing costs, down payment, and other fees. Learn how to calculate your cash to close. What is a VA construction loan, and how does it work? Active military members and veterans can finance the construction of their homes with VA construction loans. Find out if you qualify for a VA construction loan. What is per diem interest when closing on a house? Per diem interest is the daily rate you pay on your mortgage loan, and it’s included in your closing costs. Learn how to calculate your per diem interest. How to use an FHA construction loan to build your dream home FHA construction loans help you afford to build your own house or buy a fixer-upper. Find out how to qualify and apply for a construction loan backed by the FHA. Seller credits: What they are and how they work With a seller credit, the current homeowner gives the buyer money to apply to closing costs. Learn how seller credits can make homeownership more affordable. How a property title search works when buying a house A title search ensures the current homeowner has the legal right to sell the property to a buyer. Learn what to expect with a title search. What to know about using gift money for a down payment You can receive gift money for your down payment on a house, but you must follow certain rules and provide a gift letter. Here’s how a down payment gift works. What is a down payment, and how does it work? A down payment is the money you pay up-front when buying a house. Then, you’ll borrow the rest with a mortgage loan. Learn more about how a down payment works. How to use an FHA 203(k) loan to renovate a home An FHA 203(k) loan helps you buy a fixer-upper or renovate a home you already own. Learn about the two 203(k) loan types and how to qualify. Zero-down mortgage: How to buy a house with no down payment A zero-down mortgage helps you buy a home sooner, but there are trade-offs. Find out if you qualify for zero-down loans or any low-down-payment alternatives. The average down payment on a house in 2024 The average down payment on a house depends on your location and whether you’re a first-time or repeat buyer. Find the average down payment in your area. Types of FHA loans: Your options and how to choose a program There are many types of FHA loans, from energy-efficient mortgages to condo-approved loans. Find the best FHA loan program for buying or refinancing your home. FHA loan limits in 2024: How much can you borrow? The FHA loan limits for 2024 depend on your location and how many units a home has. Find out how much you can borrow with an FHA mortgage loan. How long it takes to close on a house — and how to speed up the process Closing on a home usually takes roughly 40 days, but it depends on various factors. Based on your situation, find out how long it can take to close on a house. What are the conforming loan limits for 2024? The conforming loan limits for 2024 refer to how much you can borrow without needing a jumbo loan. Find out what the loan limit is where you live. How much are real estate attorney fees, and what do they cover? Real estate attorney fees may be on your list of closing costs. You could pay an hourly or flat fee. Learn more about how real estate lawyers protect you. How does an energy-efficient mortgage work? An energy-efficient mortgage lets you roll the cost of energy-saving home improvements into your mortgage when you buy or refinance. Find out how EEMs work. What is an HOA transfer fee, and who pays for it? An HOA transfer fee may be on your list of closing costs if you move into a community with a homeowners’ association. Learn whether you’ll have to pay this fee. FHA loans for manufactured homes: How they work and how to qualify FHA loans for manufactured homes are available for either just the house or for both the house and the land. Find out if you meet the requirements. Mortgage brokers: What they do and how much they cost A mortgage broker helps you shop for the best mortgage lender and type of loan. Learn whether a mortgage loan broker is best for your situation. What is earnest money when buying a house? Earnest money is a deposit you put down when making an offer on a home. You typically get the money back after closing. Learn how earnest money works. How FHA-approved condos work and how to qualify FHA-approved condos must meet specific requirements, and you can qualify with a 580 credit score and 3.5% down payment. Learn how to buy an FHA-approved condo. Should you buy a house? How to know if you're ready. When should you buy a house? The decision mostly comes down to your stage in life, credit score, and savings. Find out if you’re ready to buy a home. What is a piggyback loan, and when should you get one? A piggyback loan involves taking out two mortgages when you buy your home. Learn what the requirements are and whether you qualify. USDA vs. conventional loan: Which is right for you? USDA and conventional loans differ in many ways, including eligibility requirements, interest rates, and more. Find out which mortgage type is a better fit. What is a balloon mortgage, and when should you get one? A balloon mortgage lets you make smaller monthly payments for the first several years, then make one large payment. Learn the pros and cons of these mortgages. VA loan vs. conventional loan: Which is right for you? VA and conventional loans have different credit score, down payment, and property requirements. Learn if you should get a VA loan versus a conventional loan. FHA loan closing costs: What they cover and how much you'll pay FHA loan closing costs are typically 3% to 4% of your home price, though they vary by lender. Learn what you’re paying for and how to save on closing costs. What are the requirements for an FHA loan in 2024? FHA loans have requirements regarding the credit score, DTI ratio, and down payment you need to qualify. Find out if you’re eligible for an FHA home loan. The pros and cons of FHA loans FHA loans have pros and cons regarding interest rates, credit scores, and mortgage insurance. Read about the good and bad to decide if an FHA loan is a good fit. Which is more important, your interest rate or house price? Which will save you more money: a lower mortgage interest rate or house price? Learn how the two affect each other and which to prioritize when buying a home.