Author Archives: Sabrina Mapes

Take our quiz to answer financial and lifestyle questions that can help you determine whether buying a house is right for you. Determining when to buy a house isn’t only about your financial readiness, though it is definitely one aspect — a house is probably one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make. Beyond the […]

Keep these guidelines in mind if you are planning to use gift money for your mortgage down payment. Asking for cash for a down payment as a gift or part of a gift fund — whether it’s for an occasion like your birthday or a milestone like your wedding — is becoming more common. In 2023, 39% […]

Your future homeowner self will thank you for it. Home buyers have access to a wealth of information about the home-buying process before they even begin talking to a real estate agent. Friends and family, social media — everyone has a lot to offer. While much of this guidance can be solid or well-intentioned, some of […]

The real estate market nationally favors sellers right now. But the tide is shifting, and buyers and sellers could soon be on more equal footing. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, you may be wondering: Is now the right time? While the housing market can be unpredictable at times, you can gauge […]

We’ve asked both to share the pros and cons of talking to one before the other. As you begin your home search, you may ask yourself: should I talk to an agent, or a lender first? The truth is there’s not really a right or a wrong answer. We spoke to some agents and lenders […]

If you’re thinking about moving, maybe one of these spots will fetch your attention. When people are looking to move, they tend to look at local schools, good restaurants, and accessible entertainment. If a beloved dog is a part of the family, that changes things. Those people may be looking for good dog parks, friendly […]

Saving more for a down payment can open up more affordable options for home buyers, especially if interest rates stay above 7%. Down payments have always been important when it comes to home buying. In the current market — where interest rates are high and unpredictable, and home values are mostly stable or rising — […]

Ready to start touring homes? Save yourself time by using our house hunting checklist and document your visits in your Touring Hub on the Zillow app. You may have been pre-approved and know what you can afford, so it’s time to take your home search to the next phase. But the hunt for your home will stall rapidly […]

When you visit a lender online or in person, you’ll see some advertised mortgage interest rates. But will you qualify for those rates? Why or why not? It’s all about risk. The higher the repayment risk, the higher the interest rate the lender will charge. Lenders will determine your loan interest rate based on several […]

You may have been pre-approved and know what you can afford, so it’s time to take your home search to the next phase. But the hunt for your home will stall rapidly if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for — or perhaps more importantly, what your non-negotiables are. It’s easy to talk in generalities about wanting […]