It's one of the most enduring myths in real estate today: You can't buy a home with a 20 percent down payment. In reality, there are a variety of federal, state and even city-level programs available to help people who don't have that much... (Read More)

Have you faced some financial difficulties in recent years but still want to buy a home? Here are some tips: Order your credit report. Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report each year from all three credit-reporting... (Read More)

Have an appointment with a title company to close on the purchase of your home? Here's what you'll need to bring with you on that big day: Money:  At closing, you'll be paying for your share of the closing costs and any down payment. Since... (Read More)

Once you move into a new home, no doubt you'll have a lot of things to buy. Why not add a houseplant or two to your shopping list? Houseplants and indoor flowers are attractive and fairly inexpensive embellishments that give homes a vivacious feel... (Read More)

You're ready to buy a home. You have a great job, good credit and you're prepped for the responsibility of homeownership. But what about the down payment? Coming up with enough money for a down payment can be one of the toughest parts of buying a... (Read More)

Plan to buy a home soon? Before you apply for a mortgage and go house hunting, here are two things you'll want to do first: Check your credit history. When was the last time you ordered a credit report? That long ago? Enough said. You can go... (Read More)

Where have all the investors gone? Real estate investors now account for less than 20 percent of home buying activity, the lowest level since September 2012. And most experts agree that the share of home purchases by investors is expected to... (Read More)

You want to buy a home, but you don't have a 20 percent down payment saved. The good news is that in many cases, home buyers don't need that much money to buy a home. But you're going to have to set aside some money. How much? And how can you save... (Read More)

If you're buying or selling a home, you may be worried about the appraisal. What should you do if the appraisal comes up short?  Here are some options for both buyers and sellers: For sellers: • Walk away. If the appraised value comes in... (Read More)