Blog

Real-world homebuying topics, explained simply.

Invest or pay off mortgage early? (answered with math)

June 29, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

570 credit score, $0 down, first-time homebuyer. Is homeownership realistically possible for me?

June 30, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Fed meeting results push rates higher

June 25, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Good Guides (resource)

June 24, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How much money do you need to make to afford a $600k house? (answered)

June 22, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Oil keeps dropping, and so do mortgage rates

June 16, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Most expensive homes on the market in all 50 states NJ to OH

June 16, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes on the market in the US right now (MT-NJ)

June 15, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Utah is a weird Juneteenth state

June 12, 2026 r/Utah

Make sure you can afford mortgage - additional thoughts

June 12, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

make underwriting a little easier on yourself

June 11, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

What would a monthly payment on a Knick's courtside ticket look like?

June 10, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

No rate cut coming after these labor market numbers...

June 9, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes listed in all 50 states (MA-MO)

June 9, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes listed in all 50 states (KS-MD)

June 4, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"We walked on closing day!" additional thoughts

June 3, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Do we lock in our rate now? (answered)

June 2, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How much income you'd actually have to make to buy a home with Dave Ramsey's rules.... (2026)

June 1, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Pissed off at realtors AI listing" additional thoughts

May 29, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes listed in all 50 states (HI-IA)

May 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Lender vs owner title insurance?" (answered)

May 27, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Suggestion on reducing monthly mortgage payment" answered

May 26, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How much home can I afford on $80k salary? (answered)

May 25, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes on the market (CO to GA)

May 23, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Sellers who bought in the past 4-5 yrs are unrealistic as the market cools" additional thoughts

May 22, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

The most expensive homes on the market for each state (AL to CA)

May 21, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"If everything cleared, would you close earlier if you could?" answered

May 20, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Tips on how to pick or choose realtor" (answered)

May 19, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How much interest would I pay on a $400k home? (answered)

May 18, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Bait and switch?" (answered)

May 15, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Rates spiked on Monday to the highest levels we've seen in over a month because of escalation fears around the Iran war - Mortgage rate update

May 14, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Help with Appraisal and loan to value?" (answered)

May 13, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"I got denied but I can afford the mortgage" (answered)

May 12, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

What would a payment look like on a $400k house? (answered)

May 11, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"my parents bought their 4br house for 80k in the 90s and it actually hurts" - additional thoughts

May 8, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Mortgage Rate Update

May 7, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"How screwed are we?" (answered)

May 6, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Home-shoppers losing track of all of the homes they visited

May 6, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How much money do I need to make to afford a $500,000 home? (answered)

May 4, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"As a buyer, can I refuse to remove loan contingency?" -answered

May 1, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 13 Post Closing and Glossary

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 5 Choose Your Lender

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 9 Under Contract: Inspections and Appraisals

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 8 Shopping For a House

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 12 Closing

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 10 Under Contract: Rate Lock and Underwriting

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 3 How To Find The Down Payment

April 27, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 11 How To Lower Your Rate

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 7 Selecting a Real Estate Agent

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 2 How Much Cash Do I Need?

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Introduction and Chapter 1 How Much Can I Afford?

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 6 You've Been Denied (Your Credit)

April 28, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide, Start To Finish - The Strategic First-Time Homebuyer Book - Chapter 4 Your Debt To Income Ratio

April 27, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

2026 Down Payment Assistance Guide (all 50 states)

January 26, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

What would a monthly payment look like on a $415k home? (all 50 states, explained)

January 23, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

"Feeling guilty about changing lenders" (input)

January 22, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

Home flipping profits slide to 17‑year low

January 20, 2026 r/NewbHomebuyer

How to Buy a House Without Any Money

January 19, 2026 Education

"Why is Recasting your mortgage not discussed more often?"

December 11, 2025 Advice

"I accidentally added a hard inquiry to my credit and i want to buy a house within the next 6 months. Does it matter?"

December 11, 2025 Advice

"Should I pay off student loans before or after mortgage pre-approval?"

December 11, 2025 Strategy

"Locking in my rate" (answered)

December 11, 2025 Advice

Instead of asking "how much house can I afford?" do this

December 11, 2025 Advice

"Zombie mortgages are coming to life"

December 11, 2025 news

How much are closing costs? "Required cash VA loan"

December 11, 2025 Education

"I am ready but not sure where to start"

December 11, 2025 Education

"Feeling guilty about changing lenders"

December 11, 2025 Advice

Realtor question (answered)

December 11, 2025 Advice

How much house will a $3,000 payment get me? (all 50 states, explained)

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

"27M. Bought a new build 4 months ago on a 2-1 Buydown. Realizing I walked into a trap. Should I eat a $90k loss to exit?" (advice)

December 11, 2025 Advice

Lower down payment to afford repairs?

December 11, 2025 Advice

"Where to Learn?"

December 11, 2025 Education

"First timer and scared, not locked yet, is this good?" (answered)

December 11, 2025 Strategy

"2/1 buydown." (explained)

December 11, 2025 Education

"Looking for advice on Bank Statement Loans" (tips, advice, and explanation)

December 11, 2025 Education

What would a monthly payment look like for a $500,000 house?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

How down payment assistance works

December 11, 2025 Education

How mortgage rates work

December 11, 2025 Education

The First Time Homebuyer Guide, Start to Finish

December 11, 2025 Education

The alternatives to Conventional/FHA mortgages

December 11, 2025 Education

Financing a fixer upper

December 11, 2025 Education

How the 2/1 buydown and other temporary buydowns work

December 11, 2025 Education

Buying home from family

December 11, 2025 Education

Assuming a loan

December 11, 2025 Education

What is a rapid re-score?

December 11, 2025 Education

Refinancing after buying your first home

December 11, 2025 Advice

The basics of a VA loan

December 11, 2025 Education

The basics of a USDA loan

December 11, 2025 Education

The basics of an FHA loan

December 11, 2025 Education

The basics of a Conventional Loan

December 11, 2025 Education

Your home-buying team, and how they help

December 11, 2025 Education

What is title insurance? Should I get it?

December 11, 2025 Education

How to buy a house with no money

December 11, 2025 Strategy

How to buy a home without a realtor

December 11, 2025 Strategy

What if the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price?

December 11, 2025 Education

How to buy a house with no credit

December 11, 2025 Strategy

Can I change my rate after I've locked it?

December 11, 2025 Education

The most common questions first-time buyers ask at each stage (and the answers)

December 11, 2025 Education

I'd like a jumbo balloon arm with a piggyback, please

December 11, 2025 Education

What is a community property state, and what does it have to do with your mortgage?

December 11, 2025 Education

What is the minimum amount of information I'd need to give a lender to get a rate quote?

December 11, 2025 Strategy

What is a mortgage recast?

December 11, 2025 Uncategorized

Everything that could go wrong with your home purchase

December 11, 2025 Advice

How to make sure your lender isn't screwing you over

December 11, 2025 Advice

Does locking my rate mean I can't shop rates with other lenders?

December 11, 2025 Advice

A strategy to make an FHA loan less painful

December 11, 2025 Strategy

At what point is it too late to switch lenders?

December 11, 2025 Advice

Do student loans affect my ability to buy a home?

December 11, 2025 Education

I helped someone buy a house without a realtor

December 11, 2025 Personal

How to buy a home without using a loan officer

December 11, 2025 Advice

Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act Passes. Limits Unsolicited Mortgage Solicitations

December 11, 2025 news

The top ten questions homebuyers wished they had asked before buying their first home

December 11, 2025 Education

How much money do I need to make to buy a $500,000 house? (2025)

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

What's the difference between a temporary rate buydown and a regular rate buydown?

December 11, 2025 Education

How much interest will I pay on a mortgage over 30 years?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

What's the difference between an FHA and conventional mortgage?

December 11, 2025 Education

How much faster will I pay off my mortgage if I lower my rate by 1%?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

Can my mortgage payment go up after closing?

December 11, 2025 Education

How much equity will my home have after 5 years?

December 11, 2025 Uncategorized

What home price could I get for a $2,000 mortgage payment?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

How much more house could I afford if rates dropped by 1%?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

How much total interest will I save if I lower my rate by 1%?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

A strategy to lower your mortgage insurance payment

December 11, 2025 Strategy

How much do I have to pay on my mortgage to be done in 15 years?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

Will changing jobs while buying a house ruin my mortgage application?

December 11, 2025 Advice

How much house can I afford on a $100,000 salary?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

How do I get a lower interest rate on my mortgage?

December 11, 2025 Advice

Do bi-weekly payments on my mortgage really help that much? (2025)

December 11, 2025 Education

Why is the mortgage lender telling me my score is way lower than what I see online?

December 11, 2025 Education

How much money do I have to make to buy a home near Dallas, TX?

December 11, 2025 Advice

Can I afford to buy a home in Newark NJ?

December 11, 2025 Advice

How can I pay off my mortgage faster?

December 11, 2025 Advice

Should I apply with more than one lender?

December 11, 2025 Advice

Why is the down payment on my Loan Estimate wrong? (FHA loan)

December 11, 2025 Education

How much money do I need to make to buy a $300,000 house? (2025)

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

Why can't I get approved for a mortgage?

December 11, 2025 Education

What does “clear to close” mean?

December 11, 2025 Education

How much house can I afford on a $60,000 salary?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

What’s a reasonable price to offer on a home?

December 11, 2025 Advice

What are closing costs and how much are they?

December 11, 2025 Education

Is it okay to move money around between my accounts?

December 11, 2025 Education

When should I refinance?

December 11, 2025 Education

Do I have to sign this Loan Estimate even though it's wrong?

December 11, 2025 Education

How long doe a pre-approval last?

December 11, 2025 Education

What if rates got back to 2020 levels?

December 11, 2025 Uncategorized

What is a portable mortgage?

December 11, 2025 Uncategorized

Real questions answered

December 11, 2025 Advice

What’s the minimum credit score I need to buy a home? (answered)

December 11, 2025 Education

"First step is to pre-qualify for a loan, yes? Please explain to me like I'm five."

December 11, 2025 Advice

If I were an introvert, 100% remote worker, no ties to any state, but needed to live in the US, where should I buy a house?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

House Prices Rise 2.2% Year Over Year

December 11, 2025 news

Strategies to set yourself up for homeownership

December 11, 2025 Education

Should I get pre-qualified or pre-approved first?

December 11, 2025 Advice, Education

Are these closing costs normal? (answered)

December 11, 2025 Education

Why does the lender need so many documents?

December 11, 2025 Education

To pay off my mortgage in 5 years, how much should I pay monthly?

December 11, 2025 Advice

How long does it take to buy a house? (answered)

December 11, 2025 Education

"Debating a big $175k dent in our mortgage: Advice Needed!"

December 11, 2025 Advice

How much house can I afford on a $80,000 salary?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

"Can somebody please explain escrow like I am stupid?" (answered)

December 11, 2025 Education

Multi Generation Home Purchases Reached 17% in 2024 - The Highest Recorded

December 11, 2025 Advice

How much do I need to make to afford a $1M home?

December 11, 2025 Comparisons

The Home Price To Get a $2,000 Monthly Mortgage Payment

November 22, 2025 Education

How To Buy a House With Bad Credit

November 22, 2025 Education

Does Locking My Rate Mean I Can't Shop Rates With Other Lenders?

November 22, 2025 Uncategorized

How To Buy a House With No Money

November 22, 2025 Education

What $500,000 Gets You In Each State (Part 1)

November 20, 2025 Comparisons

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Wyoming

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Wisconsin

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in West Virginia

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Washington

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Virginia

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Vermont

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Utah

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Texas

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Tennessee

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in South Dakota

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in South Carolina

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Rhode Island

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Pennsylvania

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Oregon

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Oklahoma

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Ohio

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in North Dakota

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in North Carolina

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in New York

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in New Mexico

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in New Jersey

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in New Hampshire

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Nevada

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Nebraska

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Montana

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Missouri

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Mississippi

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Minnesota

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Michigan

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Massachusetts

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Maryland

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Maine

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Louisiana

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Kentucky

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Kansas

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Iowa

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Indiana

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Illinois

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Idaho

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Hawaii

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Georgia

November 19, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Florida

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Connecticut

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Delaware

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Colorado

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in California

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Arkansas

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Arizona

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Alaska

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Down payment assistance and first time homebuyer programs in Alabama

November 18, 2025 Down Payment Assistance

Why is the down payment on my Loan Estimate wrong? (FHA loan)

November 18, 2025 Education

How much money do I need to make to buy a $300,000 house? (2025)

November 18, 2025 Education

Why can't I get approved for a mortgage?

November 18, 2025 Education

What does clear to close mean?

November 18, 2025 Education

How much house can I afford on a $60,000 salary?

November 18, 2025 Education

Do I have to sign this Loan Estimate even though it's wrong?

November 18, 2025 Education

What are closing costs and how much are they?

November 18, 2025 Education

Is it okay to move my money around between banks?

November 18, 2025 Education

When should I refinance?

November 18, 2025 Education

How long does a pre-approval last?

November 18, 2025 Education

What if rates got back to 2020 levels?

November 18, 2025 Education

How do I get a lower interest rate on my mortgage?

October 29, 2025 Education

What is an ARM mortgage?

October 29, 2025 Education

What if the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price?

September 10, 2025 Education

What is a Mortgage Recast

September 10, 2025 Education

A Strategy to Lower Your Mortgage Insurance Payment

September 10, 2025 Education

Buying a House With Bad Credit

September 09, 2025 Education

Does Locking My Rate Mean I Can't Shop Rates With Other Lenders?

September 09, 2025 Education

Can My Mortgage Payment Go Up After Closing?

September 09, 2025 Education

Refinancing After You Buy

September 09, 2025 Education