When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home?
The best time to buy a house is unique to you, but you might find more choices in the spring and less expensive homes in the winter. Learn more.
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
Learn VA loan eligibility requirements so you can unlock an earned homebuying benefit and take the next step toward owning or refinancing your home.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Loans, Programs, and Grants
FHA loans can offer a more affordable down payment option than conventional mortgages. Learn about minimum FHA loan down payments in our guide.
9 Handy Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Buying your first house can be exciting. Check out our practical advice that can save you time, money, and worry! Insights from Freedom Mortgage.
Popular Articles
How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House?
Young Buyers Need to Understand the Legal and Financial Requirements that Come with Purchasing a Home
VA Loan Debt-To-Income Ratio
DTI ratio for a VA loan is an important factor lenders consider when you apply for a VA-backed mortgage. Learn how to calculate DTI and how to improve it.
VA Loan Credit Score Requirements
Qualified borrowers can access VA loans to buy or refinance a home. See if you meet the minimum credit score requirements for a VA loan in our guide.
VA Entitlement: What It Is and How It Affects Homebuying
Learn how VA loan entitlement works, including full vs. partial and basic vs. bonus, and how to calculate your benefit when buying a home.
USDA Loan Eligibility and Qualifications
See if you meet USDA qualifications for a home loan based on income, credit, and property to start your path to affordable rural homeownership.
Qualifying for a VA Loan After Bankruptcy
You can be eligible for VA loans after Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy or foreclosure.
What Are the Pros and Cons of 55+ Communities?
Thinking about buying a home in a 55+ community? Consider these advantages and disadvantages before you make your decision.
Open House Tips for Homebuyers
Open houses can give you important information about homes you might want to buy. They can help you make the best offer and negotiate with sellers, too.
Mortgage Prequalification
Learn what mortgage prequalification is and how it helps you better understand how much home you can afford.
Can You Get a VA Loan with Bad Credit?
Veterans and service members with bad credit can still qualify for VA loans. Learn more from Freedom Mortgage.
How to Save Money for a House
When you buy a home, you’ll need money for a down payment, closing costs, and more. Check out our practical tips for saving money to buy a house!
How Do You Qualify for a Mortgage?
Learn how your credit score, income, employment, debts, assets, and other factors affect whether you qualify for a mortgage to buy or refinance a home.
How Much House Can You Afford with an FHA Loan?
Wondering how much house you can afford with an FHA loan? Learn what affects your budget and estimate costs with our affordability calculator.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Learn how to monitor your credit score, as well as techniques for increasing it, before you buy a house. Insights from Freedom Mortgage.
See If You’re Ready to Be a Homeowner
Buying a home is an important step and one that comes with many considerations. Determine if you’re ready.
Debt-to-Income Ratio for Mortgages
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is an important factor when you want to get approved for a mortgage. Learn what DTI is and how lenders calculate it.
How to Decide Where to Live
Where you choose to buy a house is just as important as the house you choose to buy! Ask yourself these 11 questions before you move to a new community.
FHA Loans for Bad Credit Scores
You may still qualify for an FHA loan even if you have bad credit or a bankruptcy. Learn more about the credit score and other requirements for FHA loans.
FHA Loan Requirements
FHA loans make homeownership more affordable for you and your family. Learn more about current FHA loan requirements from Freedom Mortgage.
Do FHA Loans Have Income Requirements?
Learn about current income requirements and debt-to-income ratios for FHA loans from Freedom Mortgage, a top FHA lender in the United States.*
FHA Loan Credit Score Requirements
Learn more about the minimum credit scores required for buying a home, refinancing a home, or getting cash from your home's equity with an FHA loan.
Credit Score to Buy a House: What You Need to Know
Find out how credit scores can impact your approval odds, interest rate, and more when buying a home.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home?
The best time to buy a house is unique to you, but you might find more choices in the spring and less expensive homes in the winter. Learn more.
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
Learn VA loan eligibility requirements so you can unlock an earned homebuying benefit and take the next step toward owning or refinancing your home.
Can I Use My 401(k) To Buy a House?
There are ways to use your 401(k) to buy a house, but there are pros and cons of choosing this option. Learn about some long-term financial aspects here.
VA Loan Closing Costs: What to Expect
Learn what VA loan closing costs include, who pays them, and how much you can expect to pay when buying or refinancing a home with a VA loan.
Student Loan Debt and the Dream of Homeownership
Buying a home remains a key part of the American dream, with 87% of Americans describing homeownership as part of living the good life. What's standing in the way of would-be buyers, and why are Americans waiting so long to buy a home of their own?
Should You Put a Down Payment on a VA Loan?
VA loans don't require a down payment, but making a payment can lower the funding fee. Learn more about VA loan down payment requirements from Freedom Mortgage.
What Percentage of Your Income Should Go Toward Your Mortgage?
Following the 28%- and 36%-income guidelines can help make sure your monthly mortgage payments are affordable. Learn more about income percentages.
What Are Mortgage Discount Points?
Some homebuyers consider mortgage discount points to lower their interest rate. Learn more to discover if discount points are right for you.
Mortgage Buydown: What It Is, Types, and When It Makes Sense
Mortgage buydowns can lower interest rates and monthly payments. Learn how buydowns work, who pays for them, and when they make sense.
How Much Money Do You Need to Buy a House?
Determining your budget is the first step in the home-buying process. Learn what factors you should consider and how much money you may need.
How Much Should You Spend on a House?
Homebuying requires understanding how much money you can spend and how much you should spend. Learn how much home you can afford.
How Much Is a Mortgage?
Learn what is included in mortgage costs, from your down payment and closing costs to your monthly payment.
How Much Can You Afford With a VA Loan?
Find out whether you can afford a new home with a VA loan and the factors that impact your approval, such as income, credit score, and DTI.
How Much Do Housing Prices Rise a Year?
Learn how much home prices increase on average. Also learn how supply and demand, the economy, interest rates, and other factors affect housing prices.
How to Make Buying a Home More Affordable
Buying a new home can be a challenge when mortgage interest rates are high. Here are some ways that might help make homebuying more affordable for you.
Are There First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits?
The first-time homebuyer tax credit no longer exists, but you can take advantage of other incentives to maximize your first home purchase. Learn more.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Loans, Programs, and Grants
FHA loans can offer a more affordable down payment option than conventional mortgages. Learn about minimum FHA loan down payments in our guide.
Guide to FHA Loan Down Payments
FHA loans can offer a more affordable down payment option than conventional mortgages. Learn about minimum FHA loan down payments in our guide.
FHA Closing Costs: What’s Included and How Much You’ll Pay
Discover what’s included in FHA closing costs, how much homebuyers can expect to pay, and the options available to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
A Guide to Down Payment Assistance Programs and Grants
Learn about down payment assistance programs and ways you can make your homeownership dreams come true based on your current financial standing.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?
Learn how much it costs to build a house, what expenses are included, how to finance a home construction, and whether building or buying is right for you.
The Cheapest States to Buy a House in the U.S.
We've compiled a list of states with the cheapest houses and their average home prices. Learn where your money goes the farthest when buying a home.
Can You Buy a House with No Money Down?
You may be able to buy a home with no money down, but you’ll need to meet certain criteria. Find out here what it takes and if it’s right for you.
Does Buying a Home Build Wealth?
Learn how buying a home might help you build wealth and how homeownership fits in the “big picture” of your personal finances.
Calculator Section
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Estimate home prices you can afford, based on your income, down payment, mortgage rate, and more.
Get StartedCash Out Refinance Calculator
Discover how much cash you could get from your home's equity to help you reach your goals.
Get StartedRefinance Calculator
Find out how much you might save on your payment by lowering your interest rate.
Get Started












































































