At the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, we offer infographics as helpful resources for home buyers to help them better understand home buying topics and make good financial decision for the future.
Financial Skills All Buyers Should Have
To many North Carolinians, becoming a homeowner is the pinnacle of financial independence. After all, when you purchase a home, you’re making a long-term investment in your future, in the hopes of one day living mortgage free. However, buying a home and becoming a successful long-term homeowner require financial savvy that not all buyers have. Read on to learn about just a few of the financial you’ll need before taking the plunge to home ownership in North Carolina.
Don't Let These Home Buying Myths Fool You
April Fool’s Day is full of tricks and gags, but buying a home is no laughing matter. Don’t be fooled by the many myths and misconceptions surrounding home buying and the purchase process! Read on to learn the truth about some of the most common home buying myths so you can purchase your home with confidence.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
With the weather warming up, many North Carolina residents are coming out of their winter hibernation to declutter and clean up their homes. However, cleaning your entire home from top to bottom can be a daunting task if you don’t tackle it intelligently. Check out our spring-cleaning checklist so you can make the most of your time and finish up before spring has sprung.
Rising Interest Rates—What They Mean for Buyers
If you are in the market to buy your first home or move up to a new one, one thing you likely have your eye on are interest rates. While rates are still near historic lows, they have been slowly but steadily creeping upward over the past few years. But what exactly do rising interest rates mean for home buyers in North Carolina?
What to Expect at Closing
If you are buying your first home in North Carolina, the closing table might seem like the finish line. All the research and house hunting and back-and-forth with your lender will finally pay off. It’s an exciting day to be sure, but you’ll want to be prepared. Read on to learn what to expect at closing so your purchase can be smooth sailing.
3 Ways to Find a Home You Will Love for the Long Term
If you’re in the market, how do you find your ideal match and make sure your love for your new home will last? Check out our tips to find a home you will love for the long term.
Inspections You Never Knew You Might Need
For many residents buying a home in North Carolina, especially first-time buyers, the idea of a home inspection might seem straightforward: you should get one. But some buyers are unaware of the many types of home inspection, and what each can reveal about your potential new home. Read on to learn about the different types of inspections you never even knew you might need so you can be sure that the home you buy is right for you.
What to Expect When You Make an Offer
What follows your offer can make or break your home sale, so it pays to be educated on what to expect after you submit it. Learn what you need to know about what happens after you make the offer, so you can secure the home of your dreams.
4 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast (So You Can Move Up!)
Whatever your reason, the idea of selling your home while trying to buy a new one may seem daunting. However, with a few easy tips, you can be well on your way to selling your home and moving on to the new home that suits your needs. Check out our four tips to sell your home fast and keep your stress to a minimum.
Unexpected Things that Decrease Your Home Value
Read on to learn some odd things that can decrease your home value, so you can be on the lookout whether you are buying your first home or hoping to sell your current one to move up.
Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
To get the most out of your home inspection, make sure you ask the right questions. Check out what three questions to ask your home inspector to ensure the home you buy is right for you, your family and your finances
How to Ensure a Successful Closing on Your First Home
If buying a home is a marathon, the closing table is the finish line. Getting there can be a challenge, and when you arrive at the final stretch in your journey to home ownership, you want to be sure that you do all the right things to finish strong. Check out our tips for a successful closing on your first home so you can get those keys with minimal hassle and stress.
Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in a Small Space
Your home is your happy place, but during the holidays, the hustle and bustle and crowds of folks coming through your door can leave you a little overwhelmed, especially if your home is small. But just because you don’t have a huge space to dedicate to your holiday hosting doesn’t mean you can’t host the Thanksgiving meal of the century! Check out our top four tips for hosting Thanksgiving in a small space so you can enjoy the holiday instead of stressing about it.
Tips for Military Home Buyers
North Carolina is home to thousands of military veterans and those who are still serving, and many may dream of buying a home of their own to put down roots. If that sounds like you, the good news is buying a home that you can afford in North Carolina doesn’t have to be out of reach. Follow these three tips for military buyers so you can buy the home of your dreams and enjoy it for years to come.
Contingencies You Should Always Keep in Your Contract (and Why)
While purchasing contracts can seem complicated, there are many standard pieces you should always see, and one of the top things on your priority list should be your contingencies. Check out our list of contingencies that you should always keep in your contract so you can buy your first home without worry.
Here's What You Should Know About a Long-Distance Move
Buying a home can be both exciting and stressful, and more of the latter if you are buying a home in North Carolina clear across the state from your current home. Making a home purchase from far away comes with its own challenges, but with the right approach, you can buy your dream home successfully and with minimal stress attached.
How to Make a Strong Offer on a Home (without Overpaying)
Many first-time buyers are unable to buy homes due to low inventory causing bidding wars that are pricing them out of the market. However, you don’t have to overpay to make a strong offer on your dream home. This graphic will help you learn some techniques to make an offer that sellers will think twice about refusing so you can buy your home on your budget.
VA Home Loan FAQs
One of the most important home ownership benefits available to military veterans is the VA Home Loan. Read on to get the answers to frequently asked questions about this type of mortgage to help you decide if a VA Home Loan is right for you.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane
Many homeowners across North Carolina want to prepare their homes to weather any more storms that might come. Here are a few easy ways to prepare your home for a hurricane so you can be ready before disaster strikes.
How to Build a Home Disaster Emergency Kit
While natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and others are unpredictable and unavoidable, there are ways you can prepare yourself and your family to increase chances of safety and comfort when disaster strikes. All homeowners and renters should have a home emergency kit stocked with supplies to help them survive and stay safe during the unthinkable. Read on to learn what items to keep in a home disaster emergency kit so you can be prepared.
15- or 30- Year Mortgage: Which One is Right for You?
Learn the differences between 15- and 30-year mortgages to help you learn which might be the right choice for you.
Three Signs You Should Walk Away from the Negotiating Table
A competitive market means more negotiations when it comes to a home purchase, but how do you know when negotiations have gone too far, or are going nowhere, and it's time to walk away? Learn three signs that it might be time to step back from the negotiating table and find a different home to make yours.
Mortgage Terms All First-Time Buyers Should Know
Buying your first home can be intimidating, especially once you hear all the real estate jargon. Don't let some unfamiliar lingo derail your quest for a new home. Learn home finance vocabulary every first-time buyer should know, so you can be real estate savvy!
How to Build Your Home Buying Team
Buying your first home can feel like an overwhelming process, however, that process is a lot easier if you don't have to go it alone! Make sure you have these home buying professionals on your team so you can buy your first home without the hassle.
The Financial Benefits of Owning a Home
Check out why buying a home might make financial sense for you!
Rent V. Buy Quiz
Take this easy quiz to help you assess whether renting or buying a home might be the right choice for you.
5 Easy Steps to Winterize Your Home
Learn some easy ways to get your home ready for the winter so you can save energy and money at the same time!
Adjustable Rate Mortgages v. Fixed Rate Mortgages
Learn about the differences between adjustable rate mortgages and fixed rate mortgages and the pros and cons of both mortgage types.
Millennial Home Buyers
Get some up-to-date information about millennial home buyers and how they are affecting the real estate market.
6 Documents to Give Your Mortgage Lender
When you apply for a loan, there are several documents your lender will request from you. Check out the top 6 documents that your mortgage lender will need so you can be ready when the time comes.
Is It Better to Buy or Rent?
There are many reasons why buying a home makes sense, and why buying instead of renting might be the best option for you. Check out a few reasons to buy instead of rent, to help you make the best financial decision for you.
7 Skills All New Homeowners Should Know
When you buy your first home, you might soon learn that home maintenance can take up a good chunk of your time--and your budget! Here are the top skills all new homeowners should know to keep your home in shape!
