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Homeownership Articles

Make a house your home with helpful homebuying tips.

Learn About Homeownership

Before your start your search, read these articles to understand the cost of buying a home and how mortgages work, calculate how much you can afford, budget for a mortgage and home repair costs, and more.

All Budgeting and Goals Credit: Score and More Family Finances Fending Off Fraud Invest, Invest, Invest Paying Off Debt Personal Finance 101 Homeownership Retirement Filing Your Taxes Student Loans For Teens
State of the Housing Market 4 Common Costs Of Renovating An Older Home You’re on the market for your first home, and a great deal comes across on an older home. You love the potential it has, but then a question comes to mind: how much will it cost to renovate this house? 5 min read
A living room and dining room in house The Right Age to Buy a House Although buying a house for the first time is a big decision, it turns out there is no perfect age to do it. When it comes to taking the plunge, it’s more about individual readiness. 3 min read
Couple smiling in kitchen Simplifying the Home Buying Process The home buying process can be daunting, especially for first-timers. When should I start looking? How much do I need for a downpayment? Fear not! We’ve got you covered. 1 min read
Hand and hammer working on roofing with shingles Roof Maintenance Tips Severe roof damage can seriously disrupt your life, wreaking havoc on your home as well as your wallet. Here are some basic things you can do to care for your roof and maximize its life expectancy. 4 min read
Couple eating noodles with moving items in the background Millennials in the Home Market Much has been made about how millennials are reshaping the world as they enter adulthood. One of the most adult decisions they can make is buying a house. We spoke to First Bank’s mortgage team about how Gen Y approaches the American dream. 2 min read
tools in a line Which Renovations Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck? A home renovation can make your house more comfortable and efficient. Despite what you might see on HGTV, though, renovating isn’t easy, and you won’t always make big bucks when it’s time to sell your home. 1 min read
Hurricane evacuation route sign 5 Ways to Protect Your Home for Hurricane Season Summer is hard to beat with the warmer weather, longer days, family vacations, and backyard parties. But if you live anywhere near the coast, summer means more than beaches and barbecues. You also need to prepare for hurricane season. 3 min read
Plastic house sitting on glasstop, people in the background Realtor vs. For Sale by Owner [INFOGRAPHIC] Selling your house can save you money, but you should be aware of the challenges you may face. 0 min read
Model House Flood Protect Your Home from Mother Nature [INFOGRAPHIC] Mother Nature can do some major damage to your home (and your bank account) if you don’t take the necessary precautions. You can protect your home and save money by keeping the elements at bay. 1 min read
Interior of house under renovation Renovating Before Moving In? Ask These Questions! Every project is different, of course. But before you close on your property and start looking for a sledgehammer, make sure you know the answer to these 6 questions. 3 min read
House sitting on pile of money, hand on mouse computer and keyboard When to Refinance Your Home Here are some common scenarios where refinancing your mortgage makes sense. 3 min read
Paper house next to stacks of coins What Are All These Fees? You expected that buying a home would mean paying principal, home insurance, taxes, interest, and maybe mortgage insurance. But what are all these other fees you’re getting hit with on closing day? 3 min read

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