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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…
Read MoreSeller 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…
Read MoreUS 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…
Read MoreAmericans: 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…
Read MoreThe magic number when nearly 60% of recent homebuyers can benefit from refinancing
Many borrowers who purchased homes between 2023 and 2025 could still save money by refinancing, even with current rates above 6.5%. At a 6.37% rate, 32.5% of recent borrowers might benefit, with average annual savings of $2,320. Savings improve if rates drop to 6%. Refinancing costs must be weighed against monthly savings, typically requiring about…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreHappy Fourth of July | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”
To all great Americans around the world, a very Happy Fourth of July to you all. This day is incredibly significant as the day the United States officially became its own nation. Let’s celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks and other festive activities.The 4th of July marks the day America became a country where…
Read MoreHousehold 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…
Read MoreBuying Edges out Renting Again | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”
A current buyer survey found 53% of Americans said buying makes more sense now, while 47% preferred renting or living with family. Homeownership appeal was clear: 90% viewed a home as a valuable investment, 94% said it provides stability, and 32% felt more confident buying. Affordability challenged buyers, with 58% naming high prices the biggest…
Read MoreUS Mortgage Rates Get Relief Signal | “Your dream home, guided by a local team you can trust.”
10-yr government yields ↓~3 basis points to ~4.4%, while 2-yr yields ↓~4 basis points to near ~4% after the preliminary agreement, as investors reassessed inflation. The 10-yr benchmark guides 30-yr fixed mortgage rates, so its current trajectory may help shape the US summer selling season for brokers. Mid-Q2 energy costs left consumer inflation at ~4%…
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