Kate Wood is a writer for NerdWallet, focusing on mortgages, homebuying and homeownership. She previously wrote about home renovation, maintenance and remodeling for This Old House magazine. Kate has an educational background in sociology, and issues like reducing housing inequality are close to her heart. Email: [email protected]
The USDA streamlined assist refinance program lets eligible homeowners refinance their existing USDA loans without undergoing a credit check or having their debt-to-income and loan-to-value ratios calculated. The program is…
Trying to buy a home on a teacher’s salary can be difficult, but there are national, state, local and lender-specific programs that can provide some relief. Doing your homework —…
Homes for Heroes connects first responders, teachers, health care workers, members of the military and veterans with local real estate and lending professionals. You’ll receive a discount — which varies,…
On the spectrum of home types, townhouses fall in between detached single-family homes and condos. Have your heart set on a location, but priced out of its single-family homes? A…
For some prospective home buyers, a condo can be a springboard to homeownership. A condominium can be an affordable alternative to a detached single-family home, giving you ownership of an…
A single-family home has plenty of upsides: privacy, space and the freedom to make as many changes as you want (within the scope of zoning regulations, of course). But the…
Concerned about making your next mortgage payment? Forbearance may be an option. Working with your lender to get forbearance helps you avoid late penalties and avert the risk of foreclosure.…
The coronavirus pandemic has left many Americans dealing with reduced income or unemployment. The federal agencies and government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, that buy and insure mortgages have stepped in to…
Mortgage assistance options like forbearance and loan modification can help you avoid foreclosure even if you can’t afford your usual monthly mortgage payment. If you’re facing the possibility of one…
Here’s a home inspection checklist to use when you’re viewing a property. Paying attention to these items during the initial walk-through stage of homebuying will help prepare you to ask…
