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If you're looking up "FHA loan requirements," you are very likely wondering if you qualify for an FHA loan. These mortgages, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, help home buyers secure financing to buy a home despite their low income, lack of savings, or poor credit scores—the kind of things that often prevent people from getting a conventional loan. "FHA loans are a great option for a lot of home buyers, particularly if they're buying their first home," says Todd Sheinin, mortgage lender and chief operating officer at New America Financial in Gaithersburg, MD. And while not all lenders [...]

Rubbing elbows with chefs isn't always a boon. Consider circulation pathways for a kitchen that lets everyone work in comfort When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, it's tempting to try to squeeze in all of the latest and greatest appliances and gadgets - and enough cabinetry to contain them all. But unless you also put some thought into how you, your family and guests will circulate through the space, you could end up with a dysfunctional layout that is no fun to work in - newfangled gadgets and all. [...]

It might sound like a line from a book by Dr. Seuss, but "Can I legally sell my house to my spouse?" is a legitimate question. It comes up particularly in the cases of divorce—before the deal is done, of course. Selling the home to one spouse is one way for couples to divide their assets as they split up. But there are also other instances when it can be a good idea. Is selling your house to your spouse legal? "The quick answer for this question is yes, it is legal to sell your [...]

You don't have to do a total renovation to increase the value of your home. Simple home improvement projects — like landscaping, new doors or shutters, or just a new paint job — can do wonders, majorly transforming the look of your house and bumping up its value. Landscaping It's well-agreed that boosting your home's curb appeal will pay off when it's time to sell — though estimates range from 100 to 1,000 percent ROI. Regardless of the exact numbers, it's clear: You'll likely get out more than what you put in. [...]

The real estate shopping process begins well before you make your short list of dream homes and start attending open houses—and it can end there, too, if you're not prepared. Many people worry about saving enough money for the down payment, but there's more to learn about the process of buying a home, requirements for loan approvals and how to overcome obstacles to home ownership. Weigh your financial history carefully, because with the right knowledge comes home-buying power. Your Credit Score Took Too Many Hard Hits From being denied credit cards [...]

At press time, Saturday's Powerball jackpot was sitting at $510 million - the eighth-largest in U.S. lottery history. Choose the cash option as the sole winner and you'd bank $324.2 million before taxes. If that kind of money has you daydreaming about buying a Jay-Z and Beyonce-like mansion, well, we're right there with you. I mean, real estate remains one of the best long-term investments you can make, so what's a few more zeroes, right? We've done some of the legwork so you can take your winning numbers right to the real estate [...]

On Sept. 1, 2016, my lifelong dream came true: I bought a house. With land. And apple trees. And a pond. And I did it without a full-time job. As proud as I am of this accomplishment, I still can't believe it really happened. Even while curled up next to the cozy fireplace in this house, 80 miles north of New York City, I've wondered to myself, “Don’t they know I don’t have a job?” Granted, I do work, as a freelance writer. Still, my hopes for home buying weren't high due to my lack of a regular paycheck. [...]

"Should I buy a fixer-upper?" If this thought has crossed your mind, we don't blame you. Many home buyers fantasize about purchasing a run-down shack and transforming it into a palace (thank you, Chip and Joanna Gaines). Still, pipe dreams aside, should you actually do it? While they aren't for everyone, experts do say that there are many real reasons to buy a fixer-upper. Here are a few to help you figure out whether this type of house is right for you. 1. Because fixer-uppers are bargains Probably the most obvious reason to go for a fixer-upper is to get a great deal on a [...]

You've heard it before: "No house is going to be perfect. Even your dream home will have a few compromises." That's true. When you're house hunting, it's important to keep an open mind rather than getting stuck in one vision of what you're perfect home will look like. However, there are a few instances where it's okay to put your foot down. We've gone ahead and outlined a few of the biggest real estate deal breakers, the areas where you should never compromise when house hunting. Check out the list below and [...]

The wrong real estate agent—or just one who doesn't jibe with your vibe—can cast a shadow on your whole home buying experience. That's why it pays to know what things to look for (and the right kinds of questions to ask) when searching for a reliable real estate agent. So to help make your search a little easier, we called on William E Brown, President of the National Association of Realtors(NAR), for advice on how to find the best agent for your unique homebuying needs. Read ahead for six ways to score [...]

Not all of us are blessed with enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family plus a home office and a man cave and a theater room and a guest space. And, it's that last one that often ends up as a challenge when friends and family come to visit and you either have to break out the blow-up bed or give up your room and hunker down with the kids. You don't need to add on or buy a new home to provide a comfortable space for guests. These [...]

Still renting? You must have a good reason. Although, we're not really sure what it is. With rents continuing to rise across the country, interest rates staying around historic levels, and new loans lowering down payment requirements, it just makes sense to take the leap to homeownership. Maybe you've got terrible credit and don't want to take the time to improve it (or don't know about loans that accept lower scores)? Or, maybe you just like giving your money away. If you're still not on board, these 7 reasons might change [...]

Can you buy a house without your spouse? That might seem like a weird and highly unromantic question, but there are plenty of reasons to ponder this possibility. Basically, this means that although you two might live in the home together, only you would technically "take title" to the property—a fancy way to say that you own it and have your name on the deed. It’s legal—and more common than you might think. “This is always an option," says Zachary D. Schorr, a Los Angeles real estate attorney. "People are free to take title to property however [...]

There's no denying that buying a home is a costly endeavor—in fact, it's likely the most expensive purchase you'll ever make. So it makes sense to try to negotiate where you can. Save a few bucks here, get a few things thrown in there, right? We hear ya—we're all about making a smart offer that doesn't leave you house-poor. But when it comes time to negotiate, there are a few strategies you should avoid, lest you risk offending the seller and losing your shot at your dream home. This is especially true in [...]