[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f1gx64b76cnhsu":3,"$ffeh0925h8cuz":42,"$fbwk2pqjjqsc7":46},{"item":4,"previous":30,"next":36},{"id":5,"slug":6,"title":7,"description":8,"excerpt":9,"contentType":10,"featuredImage":11,"bannerImage":9,"body":12,"agentsBottomLine":13,"bodyImage":9,"isInfographic":14,"categories":15,"isVideo":14,"videoThumbnail":9,"videoSource":9,"publishedAt":28,"updatedAt":29},43498,"strategic-tips-for-buying-your-first-home","Strategic Tips for Buying Your First Home","\u003Cp>Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life.\u003C\u002Fp>","","blog","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20240215\u002F20240220-Strategic-Tips-for-Buying-Your-First-Home.png","\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F07\u002Fwhy-pre-approval-is-even-more-important-this-year\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Buying\u003C\u002Fa> 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 \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F15\u002Fhomeownership-is-still-at-the-heart-of-the-american-dream\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">dream\u003C\u002Fa> 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 \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F24\u002Fare-more-homeowners-selling-as-mortgage-rates-come-down\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">homes for sale\u003C\u002Fa> and ongoing \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F18\u002F3-key-factors-affecting-home-affordability\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">affordability\u003C\u002Fa> challenges.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So, if you're ready, willing, and able to \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F26\u002Fwhy-its-more-affordable-to-buy-a-home-this-year-infographic\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">buy\u003C\u002Fa> your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs                                       \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>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 \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F19\u002Fkey-terms-every-homebuyer-should-learn-infographic\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">first-time homebuyers\u003C\u002Fa> that can help you get a loan with little or no money upfront. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bankrate.com\u002Fmortgages\u002Ffirst-time-homebuyer-loans-and-programs\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Bankrate\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . . you might qualify for a first-time homebuyer loan or assistance. First-time buyer loans typically have more flexible requirements, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>such as a lower down payment and credit score. Many help buyers with closing costs and the down payment through grants and low-interest loans.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>To find out more, talk to your state's housing authority or check out websites like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdownpaymentresource.com\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Down Payment Resource\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Expand Your Options by Looking at Condos and Townhomes\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Right now, there aren’t enough homes for sale for everyone who wants to buy one. That’s pushing home prices up and making affordability tight for buyers. One way to deal with that issue and find a home right now is to consider condos and townhomes. \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftrends\u002Fcondo-townhome-biggest-savings-in-these-expensive-cities\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>For many newbies, it might just be a matter of making a shift toward something they can better afford—like a condo or townhome.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> These lower-cost homes have historically been a stepping stone for buyers looking for a less expensive alternative to a single-family home.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>One reason why they may be more affordable is because they’re often smaller. But they still give you the chance to get your foot in the door and achieve your goal of owning a home and building equity. And that equity can help fuel your move into a larger home later on if you decide you need something bigger in the future. Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Analyst at \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftrends\u002Fcondo-townhome-biggest-savings-in-these-expensive-cities\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">says\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Condos can help prospective homebuyers who perhaps have a smaller budget, but who are really determined to get a foothold in the market and start to accumulate some equity.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> It can be a really great entry point.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Consider Pooling Your Resources To Buy a Multi-Generational Home\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Another way to break into the market is by purchasing a home with \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F25\u002Fthe-top-benefits-of-buying-a-multi-generational-home\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">friends or loved ones\u003C\u002Fa>. That way you can split the cost of things like the mortgage and bills, to make it easier to afford a home. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmoney.com\u002Fbuying-house-with-friends-pros-cons\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Money.com\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Buying a home with another person has some obvious advantages in the mortgage department. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>With two incomes in the mix, buyers can likely qualify for a larger mortgage — a big help in today’s high-cost market.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","\u003Cp>By exploring first-time homebuyer assistance, condos, townhomes, and multi-generational living, it can be easier to \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F09\u002Fwinning-plays-for-buying-a-home-in-todays-market-infographic\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">find and buy\u003C\u002Fa> your \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F16\u002Fwhy-you-may-want-to-seriously-consider-a-newly-built-home\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">first home\u003C\u002Fa>. When you’re ready, let’s connect.\u003C\u002Fp>",false,[16,20,24],{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},5,"For Buyers","buyers",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},11,"First-Time Buyers","first-time-buyers",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},323,"Buying Tips","buying-tips","2024-02-20T11:30:00Z","2024-04-11T20:13:20Z",{"id":31,"slug":32,"title":33,"featuredImage":34,"publishedAt":35,"contentType":10,"isVideo":14},43360,"its-time-to-prepare-your-house-for-a-spring-listing","It’s Time To Prepare Your House for a Spring Listing","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20240214\u002F20240219-It-s-Time-To-Prepare-Your-House-for-a-Spring-Listing.png","2024-02-19T11:30:00Z",{"id":37,"slug":38,"title":39,"featuredImage":40,"publishedAt":41,"contentType":10,"isVideo":14},43992,"some-experts-say-mortgage-rates-may-fall-below-6-later-this-year","Some Experts Say Mortgage Rates May Fall Below 6% Later This Year","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20240220\u002F20240221-Some-Experts-Say-Mortgage-Rates-May-Fall-Below-6-Later-This-Year.png","2024-02-21T11:30:00Z",{"cover":43,"open":44,"shareSpread":45},"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002F2026-Summer-Buyers-Guide-Cover-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002F2026-Summer-Buyers-Guide-Spread-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260603\u002F2026-Summer-Buyers-Guide-Magazine-original.png",[47,51,52,56,60,64,68,69,73,77,81,85,89,93,97,101,105,109,113,117,121,125,129,130,134,138,142,146,150,154],{"id":48,"name":49,"slug":50},1,"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},6,"For Sellers","sellers",{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59},7,"Foreclosures","foreclosures",{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},8,"Infographics","infographics",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67},9,"Home Prices","home-prices",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},{"id":70,"name":71,"slug":72},34,"Senior Market","senior-market",{"id":74,"name":75,"slug":76},35,"Mortgage Rates","mortgage-rates",{"id":78,"name":79,"slug":80},38,"Move-Up","move-up",{"id":82,"name":83,"slug":84},41,"For Sale by Owner","for-sale-by-owner",{"id":86,"name":87,"slug":88},42,"Featured","featured",{"id":90,"name":91,"slug":92},45,"New Construction","new-construction",{"id":94,"name":95,"slug":96},52,"Luxury \u002F Vacation","luxury--vacation",{"id":98,"name":99,"slug":100},53,"Rent vs. Buy","rent-vs-buy",{"id":102,"name":103,"slug":104},80,"Time-sensitive","time-sensitive",{"id":106,"name":107,"slug":108},81,"Outdated","outdated",{"id":110,"name":111,"slug":112},147,"Internal","internal",{"id":114,"name":115,"slug":116},148,"Do Not Autopost","do-not-autopost",{"id":118,"name":119,"slug":120},320,"Inventory","inventory",{"id":122,"name":123,"slug":124},321,"Agent Value","agent-value",{"id":126,"name":127,"slug":128},322,"Affordability","affordability",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":131,"name":132,"slug":133},324,"Downsize","downsize",{"id":135,"name":136,"slug":137},325,"Economy","economy",{"id":139,"name":140,"slug":141},326,"Equity","equity",{"id":143,"name":144,"slug":145},327,"Forecasts","forecasts",{"id":147,"name":148,"slug":149},328,"Selling Tips","selling-tips",{"id":151,"name":152,"slug":153},339,"Expired\u002FWithdrawn\u002FCanceled","expiredwithdrawncanceled",{"id":155,"name":156,"slug":157},340,"Price It Right\u002FOverpricing","price-it-rightoverpricing"]