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6 Tips to Help Avoid Rental Scams
Although it is impossible to avoid encountering a fraudulent rental listing, following these tips can help ensure you don’t fall victim to a scammer.
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Understanding VA Home Loans
If you are a current service member or veteran, learn how VA home loans can help make buying a home more affordable and the process for buying a home using one.
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Your Options for Avoiding Foreclosure
Unexpected challenges in your life can make it difficult to make your monthly mortgage payments. These steps can help you avoid foreclosure and get back on track.
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The Homeowner's Guide to Home Maintenance
Timely maintenance and repairs help protect your home, provide your family with greater comfort and even enhance your home's value.
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How the Secondary Mortgage Market Works
The secondary mortgage market connects lenders, homebuyers and investors from around the world in a system that makes home possible for millions of families and renters.
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4 Reasons Fall Is a Great Time to Sell
The spring is typically known as the busiest season for homebuying activity, but there are plenty of strong reasons to sell your home this fall.
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Why Was My Mortgage Sold?
If you received a letter stating that Freddie Mac purchased your mortgage, you should not be alarmed and do not need to take action.
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The 7 Parts of a Mortgage Payment
Understanding the components that make up a mortgage payment can help you choose the mortgage option that is best for you.
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How to Prepare Your Home for a Tornado
To help minimize damage to your home from a tornado, you can take steps to secure your home before these violent storms arise.
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Weathering the Storm: Hurricane Preparedness
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, learn how you can safeguard your home to help weather the storm and ease your recovery.
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The 4 C's of Qualifying for a Mortgage
Thinking about buying a home but not sure whether you qualify for a mortgage? Here's what lenders look for in a borrower.
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The 5 Factors that Make Up Your Credit Score
Take a close look at the factors that make up your FICO® credit score and the importance of each to your score.
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Understanding Credit Scores
Credit scores can be confusing and complex. Learn how credit scores work, the different types of scores and where you can find yours.
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Homebuying Negotiations: Responding to a Counteroffer
Learn what is most commonly negotiated during homebuying and how to keep your wishes, your wallet and your cool throughout the process.
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How to Start Building Your Credit History
If you don't have a credit history, there are a number of strategies you can apply to build good credit.
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Emergency Preparedness: The Key Documents You Need
To help you prepare for an emergency or natural disaster, you can take four simple steps to prepare the key documents you'll need for recovery.
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Get Smart About Credit: Credit Basics Q&A
Understanding what credit is, what affects credit and how credit is used can empower you take control of your financial health.
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Do I Need to Put Down 20% on a Home?
You may be overestimating the upfront costs of homeownership. Some mortgage programs make it possible to put down as little as 3%.
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Cap, Gown and Credit: Credit Basics for New Grads
If you're a recent college graduate, you've probably received a lot of advice about pursuing your passions or finding a job — but probably not about building and maintaining your credit.
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Why Credit Matters: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Personal Finances
Good credit can affect many aspects of your life. Learn more about why your credit score matters.
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Should My Offer Include an Escalation Clause?
If you and your real estate agent are confident that there will be multiple offers on a home, you may consider including an escalation clause in your offer.
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What to Expect with a Home Inspection
A home inspection uncovers any underlying issues with the property so that you can complete your home purchase with confidence.
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Understanding Contingency Clauses in Homebuying
Contingencies are specific conditions you can add to your home purchase agreement to protect yourself.
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3 Strategies to Win a Bidding War
Today's market is competitive and bidding wars are not uncommon. So, how do you "win" this war?
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Apartment Types: What's the Difference?
Learn how different apartment types compare and what makes each one unique.
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10 Real Estate Terms Every Homebuyer Should Know
Buying a home is exciting, but it's easy to get overwhelmed if you're not familiar with the homebuying vocabulary.
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Energy Efficient Mortgage: What is It and How Do I Get One?
If you’re in the market for a green home or need financing for efficiency upgrades, an EEM could be right for you.
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The Green Glossary
Whether you're looking to buy an energy- and water-efficient house or improve the efficiency of your home, it's important to understand the terminology.
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Sparking Action: Wildfire Preparedness
If you are in an area where wildfires are an active risk, it's important to act now to protect your home later.