Ask Kate Question and Answer Forum
First Time Home Buyer Information | Buying a First Home

Welcome to Ask Kate Question and Answer Forum, full of first time home buyer information. Here's where you'll find questions from first time home buyers and one-of-a-kind answers from Ask Kate.

What Readers Really Want To Know About Home Buying

Hi, I'm Kate Ford, mastermind and chief architect of Prime-Real-Estate-Articles.com and I will be your guide. First I'd like to share a story with you.

My initial endeavor at building websites began with Get-Your-Best-Mortgage-Rate.com, the original home of Ask Kate™. In fact, Ask Kate soon became the heart and soul of the mortgage website.

Now I'm excited to announce that Ask Kate is answering your questions at my first time home buyer website. So keep checking back for my newest information. There's no better way to keep in touch with up-to-date matters.

Ask Kate Question and Answer Home Buyer Forum

With that history, let's stroll through the forum. As you browse, keep in mind you can...

• Ask Kate about buying a first home
• Comment on an existing question
• Share your home buying experience

New! Most Recent Ask Kate Question and Answer

Part 1: Too Young for Buying a First Home - We saw a house we both adore for $69,000. It was built in 1914 and it would take a lot of work to make it livable. Are we extremely naive thinking that we accomplish this?

Part 2: FHA Loan Requirements for Co-Borrowers - Will we be approved for a mortgage without using my boyfriend's income? Will only my income, credit, and employment history be considered?

Affordable First Time Home Buyer Financing - We are renting and tired of throwing our money away. With our situation, is it possible to get a loan? We have the will but don't know where to start.

FHA & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

FHA Rehab Loan For Fixer Uppers - Can I get a mortgage that includes the $125,000 purchase price as well as an additional $25,000 for repairs?

Buy and Bail Sparks Lender-Fear of Buying a Home - When we buy our next home, will the FHA lender agree to us renting our current house instead of selling?

First Time Home Buyer's Programs - We have been waiting for 5 months to buy a home and it's making me crazy. What are our other home buying options? This is our first time trying to purchase a home.

First Time Home Buyer Financing Strategies - As a first time home buyer, I have been told college attendance can be used as work history. Is this true?

Mortgage Down Payment Assistance - My daughter is getting married next May. We'd like to help them with a down payment on a house but my credit union says they don't allow gifts.

Perils Of Buying A First Home - A long-time friend and I both bought houses but my mortgage insurance is $95 per month, while hers is a whopping $440!

HomePath & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

HomePath.com - HomePath vs FHA Financing - If a home or condo says it is HomePath, can it be bought with FHA financing? Or do I have to use HomePath financing?

Buying Fannie Mae REO without Certificate of Occupancy - The house did not pass its final building inspection in 2003. Can I get the CO after closing? Or does it have to be before closing?

Fannie Mae HomePath Program - I'm probably older than most first time home buyers you hear from. I heard a guy at work talking about HomePath. Can you give me details?

Lenders & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

Part One: What Happens Without The Best Mortgage Lender and Real Estate Agent - When I asked the Realtor about the other home buyer, he said they had cash. Needless to say I found the quickest lender willing to work with me.

Part Two: Thank You For Home Mortgage Help - I was too far into the home buying process when I asked you for help. It'll be a while before I take the home buying step again, but by then I will be armed with everything you've offered me.

How to Get Preapproval For Your Mortgage - Learn how to request a mortgage pre-approval and why the mini skirt holds the promise to an affordable mortgage.

Loans & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

Buying A First Home With Good Faith Estimate Questions - My lender is asking for a year of paid property taxes at closing and is still including taxes in my mortgage payment, is this normal?

Second Home Buying - Can you get a mortgage for buying a second home with no down payment in today's climate? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Assumable Mortgages - Kate, would a seller's assumable loan make it easier for me to purchase a home if I can't qualify for a mortgage?

Disclosing Mortgage Down Payments - If I disclose 2 sources for my mortgage down payment, must I use the money from those sources?

How To Prepare For Buying A House After Bankruptcy - Kate, Because buying a home can be a long process, can I start ANY of the buying process now? Or am I COMPLETELY hands-off to lender for 3 years?

Property & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

Residential Construction Loans - How do I get a certificate of occupancy after the builder went out of business? Options for conventional and FHA home improvement loans.

Buying A Bank Foreclosure That's A Money Pit - The house we want to buy needs a new roof, there's a hole in the side where raccoons and squirrels hide when it's cold. The appraisal process was flawed and now we don't trust anyone.

Condo Financing Problems - Our offer got accepted for a detached condo but it's really a house. I don't know why the builder titled them as condos. Our loan is FHA. Can we still buy it?

Buying A Foreclosure Property - We do not have the money to repair the heat pump. What happens now? Can we get our earnest money back? What about the money we paid for the appraisal?

Ask Kate about Home Selling Prices - Is the average home price going up? I am hearing conflicting reports during the current recession.

Realtors & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

First Time Home Buyers Guide To Realtors - Is it okay to use multiple real estate agents? I'm working with a Realtor to buy my first home but we haven't found anything after 3 months.

Advertising My House For Sale - Will my real estate agent use my ideas to market my house and who is responsible to pay for the advertising?

Real Estate Agents In California - San Francisco Realtor says, "Kate, It's clear you truly love what you do, and it's contagious!"

Why Preapproval For Mortgage Is Important - A Realtor would not show my daughter property because of her limited income. How should she pursue buying a house?

Paying Cash & Condos for Sale by Owner - What is involved in a cash purchase of a condo? Do I need a real estate agent? What paperwork is required?

Tax Credit & Buying a Home - Ask Kate Question and Answer

Home Buyer Tax Credit - Does the tax credit for first time buyers apply if I were to purchase a place out right?

More Credit, Mortgage & Refinancing Questions

Now there's even more Ask Kate help found at Credit, Mortgage, & Refinancing Questions!

Ask Kate

Okay! It's your turn to ask a question about buying a first home, mortgage loans, refinancing, or improving a credit rating. Go ahead! Every question is a good question at Ask Kate.

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• Ask Kate for first time home buyer information
• Comment on an existing question
• Share your home buying experience

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