The idea of “portable mortgages” — loans that homeowners can transfer from one property to another — is gaining national attention as policymakers consider new tools to ease the country’s housing affordability and mobility challenges. In late 2025, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), led by Director Bill Pulte, said it is “actively evaluating” the feasibility and risks of mortgage...
Real Estate
Closing costs can add thousands of dollars to the price of buying a home, often catching buyers off guard right before the finish line. Whether you’re browsing houses for sale in Los Angeles, CA or exploring homes for sale in Austin, TX, understanding these fees can help you plan for the true cost of buying. While closing costs usually can’t be completely eliminated, there are legitimate ways to reduce...
You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this...
If you own a home or are looking to buy a house in southwest-inspired landscapes like Tucson, AZ or Albuquerque, NM, you’re probably familiar with stucco. Stucco houses are made up of a durable mixture of Portland cement, sand, and lime that protects the exterior in place of traditional siding like wood or vinyl. When done right, stucco is great at sealing the home from moisture, regulating...
If you've considered this widely known strategy to save money on your heating bill, experts say you might want to choose another...
Getting pre-approved is one of the most important first steps in the homebuying process—but many buyers hesitate because they’re worried it will hurt their credit. Whether you’re buying a house in Los Angeles, CA or Austin, TX, understanding how credit inquiries work can help you start your search with confidence. The truth is that a mortgage pre-approval can affect your credit score, but usually...
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is one of the most important steps in the homebuying process. A mortgage pre-approval shows sellers you’re a serious buyer and helps you understand what you can afford before you start touring homes. To issue a pre-approval, lenders review specific financial documents that verify your income, assets, debts, and credit history. Knowing what paperwork to gather ahead of...
The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to...
When you are browsing homes online or walking through showings, you will see the phrase move-in ready everywhere. At first glance it sounds simple. A move-in ready home should be a place you can walk into, set your belongings down, and begin living your life right away. While that idea is true, there is a bit more to understand so you know exactly what to expect before making an offer. Whether you are...
Figuring out how to prepare for a home inspection before you list your home comes down to three things: make every major system easy to access, knock out small but telling maintenance fixes, and set the house up so the inspector can work safely and efficiently. A little prep now helps the inspection reflect your home’s true condition, reduces the chance of preventable red flags, and keeps your sale on...