Thursday, February 20, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too.
But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you plan to buy a bit differently.
Think of Your First Home as a Stepping Stone
One of the biggest misconceptions among buyers is that their first home has to be their forever home – or that it has to check all the boxes of what they want right out of the gate. In reality, it’s just a starting point.
Once you own a home, you start to build equity, which grows over time as home prices rise. Down the road, if you want to move — whether to a larger space, a better location, or both — the equity you’ve gained can ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 / by Lme Realty Group
Believe it or not, almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance, but only 13% actually use it. And if you’re hoping to buy a home, this is a mission-critical gap to close – fast (see graph below):
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your down payment in today’s housing market.
Amplify Your Down Payment Potential
For first-time buyers, the name of the game with down payments is making sure you’re taking advantage of all the resources out there designed to help you. And a bunch of them can get you to your goal faster than you may have thought possible.
For example, there are loan options that require as little as 3% down, or even 0% for certain qualified borrowers, like Veterans. And let’s not forget down payment assistance, like grants and other opportunities, that help you cover the upfront cost of your down payment.
If you’re interested in exploring those options and what you m. ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers
Thursday, June 20, 2024 / by Lme Realty Group
There's no denying it's gotten more challenging to buy a home, especially with today's mortgage rates and home price appreciation. And that may be one of the big reasons you’re eager to look into grants and assistance programs to see if there’s anything you qualify for that can help. But unfortunately, many homebuyers feel like they don’t know where to start.
A recent Bank of America Institute study asked prospective buyers where they lack confidence in the process and need more information. And this is what topped the list:
53% said they need help understanding homebuying grant programs.
So, here’s some information that can help you close that gap.
What Is Down Payment Assistance?
As the Mortgage Reports explains:
“Down payment assistance (DPA) programs offer loans and grants that can cover part or all of a home buyer’s down payment and closing costs. More than 2,000. ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 / by Lme Realty Group
Some Highlights
If you’re looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow.
As more buyers re-enter the market, it’ll help you make a strong offer that stands out from the crowd.
Talk to a trusted professional to learn more and begin your homebuying process today. ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, infographics, buying myths
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 / by Lme Realty Group
Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it's a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you'll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges.
So, if you're ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality.
Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs
Paying the initial costs of homeownership, like your down payment and closing costs, can feel a bit daunting. But there are many assistance programs for first-time homebuyers that . ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, home buying, buying myths
