What credit score do you need to buy a house?

Mortgage credit scores range from 300 to 850, with lenders typically using FICO Scores 2, 4, or 5. Conventional loans usually require a minimum score of 620, FHA loans 500-580 depending on down payment, VA and USDA loans often prefer 620, and jumbo loans need 680-700. Higher scores lead to lower interest rates. Improving credit…

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Seller Financing: The Seller Becomes the Lender | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”

In seller financing, the seller acts as lender, helping buyers purchase directly when traditional loans are harder to secure and speeding the path to closing. This approach can mean flexible down payments, low or no closing costs, skipped appraisals, and settlements that may happen within a week. For sellers, offering financing can widen the buyer…

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US Buyers Gain From Lower Rates | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”

Mortgage rates ↓ to the mid-6% range, giving US buyers a timely affordability boost and saving typical families ~$200 monthly on purchases. 10-yr Treasury yields ↓ toward ~4%, helping lenders pass savings to consumers; a $400K purchase carried payments near $2.5K under current terms. Loan applications and refinancing volumes saw substantial activity as households moved…

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Americans: Mortgage Rates Shift in June 2026 | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”

On June 23, 2026, the 30-yr fixed mortgage rate reached the mid-6% range, a slight weekly uptick that kept borrowing costs elevated for US buyers. At that rate, a $300K mortgage could generate ~$379K in lifetime interest, underscoring why buyers were reassessing affordability and weighing each purchase decision carefully. The central bank held its benchmark…

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The Complete Homebuying Guide

Buying a home involves key steps: determining your must-haves, choosing a home type, estimating mortgage affordability, and planning for down payment and closing costs. Shop for homes and lenders, get pre-approved, submit competitive offers, and conduct home inspections. After closing, maintain the property, save for emergencies, and continue retirement savings. First-time buyers may qualify for…

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Household Real Estate Value and Equity Rebound to Record High in 2026Q1

In Q1 2026, owner-occupied real estate value reached a record $48.7 trillion, up $810 billion from the previous quarter and $1.2 trillion over the year. Mortgage debt hit an all-time high of $13.8 trillion, growing 2.8% annually but slower than recent years. Home equity rose to $34.9 trillion, or 71.6% of property value, providing a…

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