First Time Homebuyer – Ashley Billins

Strategic Tips for Buying Your First Home

By Ashley Billins|2024-02-25T08:14:23-06:00February 25, 2024|Real Estate|

Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it's a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you'll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges. So, if you're ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality. Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs Paying the initial costs of homeownership, like your down payment and closing costs, can feel a bit daunting. But [...]

How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget

By Ashley Billins|2023-05-04T14:38:39-05:00May 4, 2023|Real Estate|

It's not easy being a first-time homebuyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories, but especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and downsizers muscle out first-timers by offering stronger, often cash-heavy bids.2 In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, only 26% of last year's homebuyers were first-timers—the lowest share on record and down from 34% a year prior. This underscores just how steep a hill new [...]