The idea that you should put 20% down on a home is one that has been the "gold standard" for years. After all, when you put 20% down, you avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, and you'll have a smaller loan amount with lower monthly payments. It's something that could save you a lot of money in the long run—but there's also a catch.

Not everyone can easily afford 20%, especially with home prices having risen at a record pace over the last few years. So, what should potential buyers do? Let's explore the pros and cons of putting 20% down on your next home purchase.

The Financial Benefits of Putting 20% Down

Let's start by talking about the financial benefits of putting 20% down. In most cases, if you can afford it, it makes good

Getting ready to buy a home can be stressful and complicated. With so many details and decisions to make, it's no wonder why potential buyers often feel overwhelmed. This spring season, don’t let the high demand of the residential real estate market cause you stress or prevent you from landing your dream home.

Here are 5 tips to help you navigate the buying process.

Tip #1: Work With Real Estate Agent Early On

A real estate agent will be an invaluable resource throughout every step of the buying process. They have quick access to listings before they hit major online listings, and they can also explain how the bidding process works.

Tip #2: Prioritize Your Needs

Before you start shopping, it’s important to know what your priorities

Follow these tips and expert insight to help you get your budget in order and get yourself ready to buy your first home.

1.) Organize Your Finances

You may know how much you have in your bank accounts, but do you know how much you spend on household expenses and luxuries each month? Or which credit card has the highest interest or balance? 

Getting a good handle on your money starts with a clear idea of where your money is going. This info will also help you determine what you can afford and your homebuying timeline. Start by breaking down your finances into the following categories:

• Start with creating a basic budget for items like housing, groceries, and gas.
• Account for an emergency saving --In case of an accident or other

Not all loan products are the same, nor are borrower situations. For first-time homebuyers, you’ll most likely hear about the most popular 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan, and there’s no arguing that it's a great loan product for most buyers but not in all circumstances.

However, other mortgage options could be better, depending on your financial circumstances and future plans.

The best way to know is to talk to a mortgage professional. But you can start getting familiar with your options with this article.

If you plan to stay for a long time

When you come across a home you fall in love with and plan to stay in the property forever, a fixed-rate loan is a good option. 

These loans can give you peace of mind since you pay the same

If you are facing a financial or health-related problem or simply going through a new phase in life, you may be thinking about sharing a home with close family or extended family members.

Many people have decided that living in a multigenerational home answers their problems. The number of American adults who have lived in a multigenerational home has more than doubled compared to forty years ago.

It’s no surprise that more and more families are choosing this setup for practical reasons. 

The question is, will this work for you and your family? Let’s dig deeper into how this works and look at tips on making a multigenerational home work for you.

How do you define a multigenerational home?

According to the Pew Research Center, a

If you plan on buying a new house, you should thoroughly research the property that meets your needs. But you shouldn’t only be diligent about the house-hunting part during your research. You would also like to know more about the neighborhood you’re about to relocate to.

If you’re confused about what you should look for in a community, here are ten things to consider in looking for your ideal neighborhood.

1.) Neighborhood Safety

Safety and security should be your top priorities when moving to a new location. Do your homework to research specific crimes in the area. You can also visit the local police department and ask questions about which part of the neighborhood has a higher crime rate.

2.) Parks & Recreation

If you have kids,

Being a part of a military family means you may not have a permanent address for some time. It’s common to receive orders to move to another station even if you’ve just settled into a house and neighborhood you love.

To make the experience easier, we share some tips on buying and selling your home as a military family.

Should you buy a house or not?

When you’re an active service member, you’ll receive a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), whether renting or buying. The amount depends on your pay grade, where you’re living, and your dependency status.

Buying a home is a good option if you want lower monthly payments than renting, but if you think you’ll get transferred in a short time, you’ll probably want to hold off a bit. The reason is

Who doesn’t want to get a good deal on a home? It’s normal for home buyers to try and negotiate with sellers to get the best deal possible.

But in this seller’s market, where homes are selling fast and buyers don’t always have a lot of wiggle room to negotiate, you may be wondering if you can still bargain.

The good news is, yes, there are still concessions you can get. We share some things you can haggle with your seller even if they don’t want to budge on price.

Ask sellers to make repairs to the home.

If the home you are buying needs some repairs, it can be an excellent opportunity to ask your seller if they can make repairs before they sell. If damages come up during a home inspection, sellers would likely agree to a concession since

While house hunting, you might have seen some listings of homes sold “as is.” Home buyers might find these types of homes attractive because they’re typically priced lower than similar houses. Before you purchase an “as is” home, you must be able to decipher if the home is sketchy or not.

Here’s what to watch for if you plan to purchase a home as is.

Potential Foundation Problems

Correcting foundation problems is one of the most expensive repairs you can do to your property. The foundation of a house is one of the most, if not the most important, part of a house. Purchasing a home with a faulty foundation can cause you thousands of dollars to fix the problem.

All poured concrete foundations will crack sooner or later, but hairline cracks

Many homeowners are busy preparing their homes for sale. Are you among them? Selling now certainly makes sense. The housing market continues to favor sellers, with most listings pulling in plenty of competing offers.

Even with the persisting seller’s market, in order to maximize the sale price of your home, you’ll want to eliminate or fix anything that could potentially hurt your home appraisal. A high appraisal will ensure that you can earn top dollar for your home, while a low appraisal can cost you tens of thousands at closing.

Keep in mind that not all home renovation projects will yield a healthy ROI. It’s vital that you consult with your real estate agent to learn more about which recommended upgrades and repairs will be most likely to net