Can I buy a house with debt from student loans? Yes. Student loan debt does not disqualify you from a mortgage, at any balance. I want to be direct about that, because it’s the single most common misconception I encounter. There is no balance threshold that triggers an automatic denial. There is no rule that… Read More »
California’s housing market doesn’t operate like the rest of the country. It operates in a league of its own. Redfin’s February 2026 data puts the statewide median sale price at $820,500, down 1.2% year over year but still more than double the national median. In San Francisco, the median hit $1.5 million in February, up… Read More »
Kansas is one of the most affordable states in the country for first-time home buyers in 2026, but affordability alone does not close a deal. The median home sale price in Kansas reached $289,400 as of December 2025, up 2% year-over-year according to Redfin, while 30-year fixed mortgage rates average 6.46% APR nationally as of… Read More »
The median U.S. home sale price crossed $400,000 in 2025, and for millions of would-be buyers, the single biggest obstacle to homeownership is not their credit score or their income — it is the down payment. Many first time home buyers have been asking us if they can leverage their 401K retirements account to cove… Read More »
Consumers continue to embrace the unique opportunity for first-time homebuyers in Wisconsin. People in the community are taking advantage of the Wisconsin’s supportive home buyer programs and relatively moderate housing trends. Home prices in Wisconsin have risen 4–5% year-over-year, with the median price hovering around $346,700. While this upward trend may seem daunting, it’s still… Read More »
New Jersey remains one of the most expensive markets in the country for first-time buyers and also one of the best-supported. The statewide median sits near $538,300, well above the national figure of roughly $425,000, with Bergen, Hudson, and Essex counties running considerably higher still. Financing costs rose this fall. The Federal Reserve raised its… Read More »
Navigating the path to homeownership in 2026 presents unique opportunities and challenges for first-time home buyers. With evolving lending standards, diverse loan programs, and shifting market dynamics, understanding your options is essential to making informed decisions. The RefiGuide published this exclusive guide that examines the requirements, benefits, and strategies to qualify for a first-time home… Read More »
North Carolina’s housing market tells two stories in 2026, and which one applies depends on your metro. The statewide median sits near $378,000, with inventory climbing to roughly a five-month supply, the most selection buyers have had in years. But the metro gap is wide. Charlotte runs near $415,000 and Raleigh near $430,000, while Fayetteville… Read More »
Pennsylvania offers one of the strongest affordability positions in the country for first-time buyers who know how to use it. Philadelphia’s median sale price runs near $265,000 and Pittsburgh around $235,000, per Redfin, while emerging markets like Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Scranton offer more accessibility still for buyers willing to look beyond the two anchors. The… Read More »
Virginia is one of the most strategically complex states in the country for a first-time buyer, and that complexity works in your favor if you know how to navigate it. The state spans three distinct housing economies: Northern Virginia, where Fairfax and Loudoun rank among the most expensive suburban markets on the East Coast; Richmond,… Read More »
