Since the market crash, many prospective first-time home buyers have been fighting an uphill battle on their path to homeownership. Certainly it isn't for lack of trying. While millennials might be the largest group of first-time buyers, according to the NAR, they face a whole slew of daunting challenges before they can sign on the dotted line. And here's the kicker: Some of these hiccups are mostly out of their control. Bummer. Here are some of those factors that could be ba

It's tough to be a millennial in today's real estate market. Crippling student debt and sky-high real estate prices have made it more challenging than ever to save for a down payment (and no, we're not blaming the avocado toast). Even if you're lucky enough to overcome all of that and actually buy a home, we've got some unfortunate news: Now you've got to take care of it. It's enough to make you wonder whether you gave up renting too soon. Generally speaking, millennials are

The results of the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia show that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is an average of 3.5% less expensive in San Jose (CA), all the way up to 50.1% less expensive in Baton Rouge (LA), and 33.1% nationwide! Other interesting findings in the report include: Interest rates have remained low

What is a good credit score—and why should you care? Simply put, no number is more important to prospective home buyers than their credit score. These three digits are a numerical representation of your track record paying off your debts, from credit cards to college loans. If you've applied for a mortgage to buy a home, lenders check your credit score. If it's high, getting a mortgage will be a breeze; if it's low, you may struggle. So now that we've got your attention, the

If you’re planning to sell your home in 2017, here are a few mistakes you should avoid to maximize your results and minimize your headache. Selling a home can be difficult. Side step these common mistakes to increase your chances for a smoother, faster, and more gainful transaction. Skipping the necessary preparation. Once the decision has been made to sell, it’s understandable that many sellers want to get their homes on the market as quickly as possible. However, taking the

A date with a glass of wine and your favorite curry dish while watching the latest season of “Orange Is the New Black” may seem like the perfect way to spend your evening — until you hear something alive in that leaning tower of plates you’ve been ignoring all week. Why, oh why, do you keep procrastinating dish cleanup night after night?! Don’t beat yourself up too much. Bad habits are just way easier to maintain than good ones. They’re “the opposite of what makes you happy.

House hunting is a deeply emotional experience that often starts out exciting but might wind through multiple disappointments before you find The One. Kinda sounds like dating. Weird, right? And if house hunting is like dating, then open houses are most definitely the first date. You get all the feels. You ask yourself, "Could I really do this?" And, if you're lucky, you score a second date—which maybe, eventually leads to a long-term relationship. But how do you really know

When you’re dating, you can spend years searching for the perfect relationship only to—possibly—wait too long and miss out on something great. Suddenly, over your sad microwave meal and bottle of cheap red, you're looking back on your life choices, wondering what could have been if you hadn't been so darned picky. Well, the same goes for house hunting. You can drive yourself crazy searching for your dream home. You've found houses that have come close, after all. So the perfe

Moving is backbreaking work, so at some point it makes sense that you'd stop torturing yourself and bribing your friends and explore the smarter option: hiring professional help. But what's the cost of moving? It depends, of course, on how much stuff you have, how far you're moving, and other factors. But on average, the cost of moving within your state will set you back $1,170, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. If you're moving to another state or acros

Ready to house hunt? It's a jungle out there: Prepare for a flurry of paperwork, stampedes of buyers competing for the same digs, and other challenges before you get your hands on those house keys. We won't lie: The process can be complex and stressful—which is why having a pro by your side can make all the difference. You might have heard of buyer's agents, seller's agents, listing agents, and so on. You're a buyer, so what is a buyer's agent? True to their name, buyer's age