First Time Home Buyer Tips

A first-time buyer tax credit is a key part of President Joe Biden’s $640 billion housing and is intended to increase homeownership by helping new buyers shore up a down payment.

Sometimes it's worth it to overlook stuff.

Mauve accents and four-poster beds are back.

Plus tips from experts to help you navigate this one-of-a-kind market.

They call it “the white sponge of love.”

For both the serious shopper and the nightly scroller who just wants to gawk at seriously cool homes.

It'll help make your decision so much easier.

There's a whole lot for prospective homeowners to become familiar with.

With wisdom relating to making offers, hiring home stagers, and more.

You might be surprised to learn you’re already making strides.

You deserve a space fit for a queen—not "only enough space for a queen-size bed to fit."

Their advice has stood the test of time.

Behold the components of an accessory dwelling unit.

I never thought I'd put my home on the market, but COVID made me fall out of love with it.

Deposit any financial gifts ASAP.

It's not just about follower counts.

Here's what they look for in a home for sale.

There's a lot to know about mortgage loans, closing costs, escrow, and all that jazz.

Mind your lightbulbs.

According to real estate experts.

Here are the pros and cons of each.

With median home prices well under $250,000.

It's pretty simple.

"At times I think, ‘You silly woman. You’re going to be dead before you pay it off.'"

You can probably wager a guess.

Seeing the space through someone else’s eyes was the push we needed to prioritize the little things.

Are you team neutral or natural?

Don't let the idea scare you.

First-time buyers, take note.

Second dishwashers are in.

Now I know about the importance of flat driveways and old windows.

Putting up walls isn't always the best idea.

Your first house could be a multifamily building.

According to home stagers.

Engineered hardwoods get a thumbs up.

Do you know how you feel about sweat equity?

From upping curb appeal to swapping out fixtures.

Plus four ways to try it.

Everything you need to know about being an ally in real estate.

Keep an eye out for these things during a walkthrough.

The pandemic is upending conventional wisdom of all kinds.

From the windows... to the walls.

Leave those light fixtures alone.

My "narrowboat" is moored in the city's canal network.

From integrated headboards to balconies.

If it’s exciting for you as a homeowner, it could also be just the thing to spark the interest of a potential buyer in the future.

Keep an eye out for 4 key signs.

Are your bedrooms putting buyers to sleep—and not in a good way?

In your first year of owning your own home, every new day brings on a new challenge. And thanks to that fresh and dewy homeowner glow, you’re poised to tackle them all. Who cares if the wall is crooked and the kitchen is in disarray—they’re yours. Owning a home isn’t all good feelings, though. And people don’t seem to want to discuss all the bad vibes that can frequently come along with buying your own first place… What if the neighbors are horrible?

Saving up to buy a home next year? You might need to put aside a little extra to keep up with rising home costs. According to a recent report from Zillow, the national median home will be worth $6,275 more a year from now—meaning that, on average, U.S. homebuyers will need to save an extra $105 a month (a total of $1,260 for 12 months) to keep up with the cost of a 20 percent down payment.

Henderson, Nevada, anyone?

Trading Starbucks for snakes was more than I'd bargained for.

Find out how long in between appointments.

Like assessing the value of home-staging during coronavirus.

A glamorous task it is not.

Too much personal flair can turn buyers off.

It can be righted with one click.

You thought doing your taxes was a nightmare? Wait until you apply for a mortgage.

From Oregon to Idaho.

Here's how I knew it was the right one for me.

​It might sound counterintuitive, but it could help save you some cash.

From final walkthroughs to contingency clauses.

Including the surprising way a shoe rack is a turn-off.

Put the baking sheet down.

Here's what to know about them.

There's more to know beyond their low down payments.

The fifth wall's color makes a big difference!

Make sure your realtor relationship is a match made in heaven.

Does the economic downturn present the opportunity to nab a better price? Not exactly.

Prepare for more digital experiences.

And what you should try if you're in the same boat.

Here's how I worked through it.