So you're ready to ditch your landlord and the noisy neighbors who live above you. But instead of seeking out another place to rent, have you considered (like, seriously considered) buying? For many people, purchasing a home is one of those bucket-list items—something you'll accomplish down the road—so the idea of starting the process here and now may seem out of the question. But there's a chance you're actually in a better position than you think. Of course, every local rea

Here's what every first-time home buyer needs to know to dive into house hunting with confidence—and with as few curveballs as possible. Whether it's getting a mortgage, choosing a real estate agent, shopping for a home, or making a down payment, we lay out the must-knows of buying for the first time below. 1. How much home you can afford as a first-time home buyer Homes cost a bundle, so odds are you'll need a home loan, aka mortgage, to foot the bill, along with a hefty dow

As soon as my husband and I pulled up to see the house we’d eventually buy, it already had a good vibe to it. A blue house with a red door—just like the one I grew up in. It struck a sentimental note with me immediately. After living in one-bedroom apartments for the past seven years, we were looking to finally make the move from renters to homeowners. It wasn’t a quick process—buying a house (and getting a mortgage) aren’t things that move quickly, generally. But once we mov

So you're a first-time buyer who just closed the deal on your new home and moved in. Finally, you can breathe a deep sigh of relief. After all, you managed to pony up a down payment, closing costs, and other sundry expenses. Provided you make your monthly mortgage payments, you're fine and dandy on the finance front ... right? Not quite. Because owning a home means you have to maintain it—and maintenance costs money to do right. Expenses that you may not have considered are b