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How a Home Buyer Class Can Save You $30,000 Over the Life of Your Mortgage

This $30,000 figure might sound like marketing hype, but stick around and you'll see that the math actually checks out when you understand where first-time buyers typically lose money. The How To Buy A House Class doesn't just teach you the process. It arms you with specific strategies that directly impact your bottom line for [...]

February 10th, 2026|Guide|

How to Prepare Financially for Your First Home

Most first-time homebuyers spend months scrolling through listings, imagining which room would be the nursery or where the couch would go. Then reality hits during the mortgage application, and suddenly they're scrambling to explain a questionable credit score or wondering why their savings aren't nearly enough. Financial preparation for buying a home should start long [...]

January 22nd, 2026|Kristen Skebe|

Is a Homebuying Class Worth It? The Top Benefits for First and Second Time Buyers

You've been saving for months. Maybe years. The down payment fund is growing. Your credit score is looking better. You're finally ready to start house hunting. But then someone mentions taking a homebuyer class. And you pause. Another thing to add to your to-do list? More time spent in a classroom when you could be [...]

December 15th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

Closing Costs Explained: How to Save 3-4% on Your Home Purchase

Let me guess. You've finally saved enough for a down payment, found a house you love, and then someone mentions closing costs. Wait, what? More money? Yeah, I know. It's frustrating. You've already stretched your budget to the limit, and now there's this whole additional expense that can run anywhere from 2% to 5% of [...]

November 25th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

The First-Time Homebuyer’s 25% Rule: How to Budget Without Going ‘House Poor’

You have dreamed of owning a house. You've saved for years. You've researched neighborhoods. You've scrolled through listings until you were just exhausted. And you are still unable to figure out the best way to budget for your first house purchase while maintaining financial stability.  Enter the 25% rule. It’s a simple yet powerful budgeting [...]

October 15th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

Home Buying Checklist for Beginners – Complete Guide

Buying your first home can feel like stepping into a maze. One turn takes you to mortgages, the next to inspections, and before you know it, you’re wondering if you’re even ready. The good news? With the right roadmap, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. That’s why we put together this beginner-friendly home buying [...]

September 16th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

Top Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Buying your first home is both exciting and a little scary at the same time. For first-time home buyers, that mix of emotions is normal – after all, you’re about to make one of the most significant financial decisions of your life. It’s only natural to feel eager and anxious. In fact, recent data shows [...]

August 20th, 2025|Kristen Skebe|

Credit Score Needed to Buy a House: What’s the Magic Number?

Wondering if your credit score is house-worthy? You are not alone. “What credit score do I need to buy a house?” is one of the most common questions future homeowners ask—and for good reason. Most lenders want to see a credit score of at least 620, but there’s no single “magic number.” The truth is, [...]

July 23rd, 2025|Kristen Skebe|
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