Buying a home is a huge milestone and perhaps the largest purchase most of us will ever make. It's important for those who are interested in homeownership to understand the benefits of buying a home versus renting and what a smart investment this decision is for your future. It's also important to understand that homeownership is a lifestyle choice and one that will impact your financial status.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions many of us make in our lives. But how do you know if you should continue renting vs. buying a home?

There are pros and cons to each of these housing options, so it's important to do some research about both to help you decide if renting or buying a home is the right decision for you. 

Purchasing a home in South Carolina has proven to be an intelligent investment. Since 2018, South Carolina's real estate market has experienced substantial growth. Over the last five years, from the fourth quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2023, the state's total home appreciation was recorded at 84%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.8%. If your equity improved in recent years, and you have a need for an affordable financing option, a cash out refinance mortgage could deliver wide-reaching benefits.

It's been three years to the week since I purchased my first home. With buying a house came the responsibility of so many things I had never had to think about while renting. I was now responsible for maintenance or repairs, lawn care, pest control, taxes, insurance, etc.

With any new purchases, there is typically some type of warranty, and for me, with new construction, I had a one-year window on many of the different systems within my home. My contractor and I became great friends over the year because I called him with a million questions and issues with anything warranty-related.

As I was nearing that one-year mark, I began to worry about what I would do and what it might cost to fix things after my year. Fortunately, I stayed alert and was able to avoid any extended warranty scams, where people tried taking advantage of that worried feeling. Check out the blog post below with some of the tips I used to avoid falling victim to warranty scams:

Buying a home in the Carolinas for the first time can be a daunting experience. If you are a first time home buyer, remember that knowledge is power. Below, we present 5 key lessons to remember as you start shopping for your first house.

Finding and buying your first home is one of life’s adventures. For first time home buyers, a first home is an excellent financial investment that offers an empty canvas of possibility. Yet what many forget with their first home purchase is that your home, unless it is in the middle of the country, also comes with a neighborhood. As you shop for your first home, you are also shopping for your first neighborhood, and you need to consider the location carefully.

Here are some considerations that can help you choose the right neighborhood when you are buying your first home.

The process of shopping for a home, negotiating a purchase price, applying for a loan, and closing a mortgage loan can be daunting and complicated for even a seasoned home buyer. As a first time home buyer, everything about the process is new and unfamiliar. While your mortgage lender and local credit counselors can help you navigate the path to homeownership, the following do's and don'ts will help you avoid some of the more common mistakes and oversights that can trip you up on your way to buying your first home.

Buying a house is exciting. Alongside the thrill of house hunting comes the anxiety of the unknown. Knowing how to buy a house and find the right mortgage to make your dream a reality are valid concerns. With multiple mortgage options, how do you decide which mortgage is right for you? Although these are good questions, there are answers, and buying a house doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.

Home mortgage options vary from state to state; sometimes, different options exist at a city or county level. In the Carolinas, there are multiple options to help home buyers, including state-specific programs to help first-time home buyers find the perfect house. Some of these programs help first time home buyers afford their new home by offering little or no money down mortgage requirements.

The surging real estate market shows no signs of slowing down, and that creates opportunities and challenges for buyers.

Buying your first home is an exciting time full of many emotions. You are ready to strike out on your own and become a homeowner! This time is also full of lots of important information, and sometimes you can feel a little overwhelmed.