Are you interested in living the American dream and purchasing a home? Banking institutions and lenders want to know a person's credit score before lending money for major loans, including home mortgages.

Know how credit score and credit history can impact the home buying process and how potential applicants can get started on improving their credit score today.

Why Does Credit Score Matter?

Homeowners should be aware that a credit score can be a main factor in determining eligibility for various types of home mortgage products, whether they're in areas like Franklin or elsewhere. An applicant's credit score shows a lender a history of making payments, current debt and the approximate level of risk that they may assume when approving an

Although homeowners are not required to refinance the mortgages on their homes, many people choose to do so after a few years. Refinancing a mortgage can allow homeowners to eliminate private mortgage insurance, lower their interest rates, or make a plan to pay off the mortgage sooner than the original loan. Although the home purchase is already secure, people may discover that refinancing is a little like obtaining a mortgage. Here's the process homeowners will likely follow as they pursue refinancing, with some advice to make the experience a bit easier.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Evaluate Current Credit Usage and Overall Debt

Are tiny houses the trend of the future? Are micro apartments even livable? What does the future hold in terms of size and price?

The American family home has increased substantially in size in the past 40 or so years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In that same period of time, the number of persons per household has decreased, so no matter how you look at the statistics, the average space each person in this country occupies, has increased in the years since 1973.

In that year, the average single family home contained just 1,660 square feet. In 2015, the average was 2,687 square feet. In 1973, the average family size was 3.01 in that average home.

Now? The average is down to 2.54 in the average house. The median numbers show

Home buyers entering the real estate market should be aware of certain market conditions and trends before they consider making any offers. Understanding the real estate market can help home buyers make good decisions that will lead to a successful home purchase. If you're a new home buyer who is just now entering the market, here's what you need to know about the areas where you're trying to buy a home.

Buyer Competitiveness

A home seller's market is a market condition that occurs when inventory is low, prices are high and buyers must compete against one another to make a successful home purchase. Under these circumstances, sellers must make their offer quickly. Negotiating for a lower price is not usually an option in a seller's market.

Buying a home can be both fun and exhausting. And of all of the choices one needs to make when they are shopping for a home, locating a home mortgage loan that fits your needs can be the most confusing. Understanding the terms and the implications of each mortgage choice can help a borrower get the best deal throughout the life of their loan.

One of the biggest choices a home buyer will have to make is between a fixed rate and adjustable rate loan. While one or the other may look like a better deal at first glance, research may be necessary to determine which is the best in any specific situation. The right choice for the right mortgage can potentially save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

For informational purposes only. Always

The decision to buy a home is a big one. In fact, homeownership actually represents the single biggest investment likely to be made by most Americans today. The size of this monetary investment alone is more than enough reason why buyers should give some extra consideration to the process.

It makes sense for homebuyers to look at their individual situations to factor this information into the process to make sure that the home they purchase is really the very best choice for them, whether it be Lebanon real estate or Watertown homes.

Factors to Consider in a Home-Buying Wishlist

When buying a home, buyers should have a list of items they both want and need in their home. Needs should include square footage, distance from work, number of

One of the issues home buyers need to consider when they're purchasing a home is insurance. Homeowners insurance or landlord insurance helps protect homeowners and landlords from financial liability due to damage from natural disasters and certain types of property damage. Knowing what to look for in a homeowners insurance policy, how much you can expect to pay for this insurance and what you can do to save can help you get the best deal possible.

Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

People who pay cash for their homes don't need to get insurance, but people who borrow money for their home may be required by the lender to get insurance. Homeowners who borrowed money for their home and who don't have insurance may be forced to pay for coverage

In a hot real estate market, home buyers and sellers are often faced with multi-offer situations. For home sellers, they are able to sit down with their real estate agent and sift through the various home purchase offers that have been made on their property. For home buyers, it's important to be able to work with your real estate agent to not only know how to operate and win in a sellers market, but also know how to draft an offer that is going to stand out among the rest. Here's are some tips on how to write a more competitive home purchase offer:

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Consider Writing a Personalized Offer Letter

While

Buying a new home for the first time is a major life milestone. It's also often an exciting one, as first-time homebuyers enjoy long afternoons visiting open houses, combing through listings, and planning the big move. But buying a new home can also be overwhelming. Homebuyers also have to put together a down payment, find a real estate agent, juggle home inspections, closing costs, paperwork, and countless other expectations that go into the home-buying process. This is where a few first-time homeowner tips come in handy.

Rather than hoping to be swept off your feet by the perfect home, it might be better to look for the type of home in which you can build a lasting relationship by getting familiar with one another over time. The analogy isn't

You may be looking to buy a new home, and, depending on the local market, there may be a variety of available properties suitable for individuals, couples and families. While many potential homebuyers need a mortgage to cover the cost of buying a home, most are initially unaware of the role of interest rates when making a purchase and affording mortgage loan payments. Rising interest rates may mean that homebuyers who have to tighten their purse strings to afford a dream home will struggle to make regular payments. What should potential homebuyers and mortgage loan borrowers know about interest rates?

Is it better to buy a more expensive home with low interest rates or a more affordable home with higher interest rates? What are tax limitations