If you've served in the U.S. military, a VA loan might be an excellent way to finance your first home. If you're interested in using this benefit, it's important to know the steps involved. Here is a basic guide to buying your first home with a VA loan: Get Your Certificate of Eligibility A certificate of eligibility from...

A loan from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can be an excellent choice for financing a home purchase. While VA benefits are generally reserved for veterans, there are a few exceptions with mortgage programs. Here are some other ways you could be eligible for a VA loan: Active Duty Fortunately, you don't have to have served in...

Photo by Wulfman65 via Shutterstock When you’re thinking about purchasing a home, an old house versus that new one is something to ponder. If you’ve thought about buying an older home, consider each of these areas before making an offer. Have your agent write contingencies into your contract, and by all means, don’t forego an inspection. Consider HazMat...

Photo by Fizkes via Shutterstock If you know absolutely nothing about buying a house, don’t learn the hard way. There’s plenty of information available to help you avoid the many potential pitfalls in the process. You want your first home buying experience to be exciting, not exhausting. Here are some tips to get you started the right way....