First-time homebuyer qualifications
You can be a “first-time homebuyer” — and get financial aid — even if you’ve owned a place before.
Jeff Ostrowski has closely covered two nationwide housing booms and one devastating bust. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he spent more than 20 years writing about real estate, business, the economy and politics. He previously worked as a reporter at the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal.
From 2019 through 2025, Jeff served on the board of the nonprofit National Association of Real Estate Editors. He twice has won gold awards in the group’s journalism contest. His Bankrate coverage of housing affordability was also honored with a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys surfing, biking and traveling, usually with a surfboard or bike.
Jeff is the author of How to Buy a Home in a Miserable Market, available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
When you’re applying for a mortgage, shop around and do your homework — informed borrowers can save thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. Don’t fixate on finding the absolute perfect option, though, or timing your loan to a low point for mortgage rates. If you’re borrowing now, mortgage rates could go down in the future. Avoid worrying about all those things that are both out of your control and impossible to predict.
You can be a “first-time homebuyer” — and get financial aid — even if you’ve owned a place before.
Do you really need rates to go down a full percent to make a refinance worth it?
Mortgage rates dip amid swings In markets
Compare personalized mortgage and refinance rates today from our national marketplace of lenders to find the best current rate for your financial situation.
Compare personalized mortgage and refinance rates today from our national marketplace of lenders to find the best current rate for your financial situation.
A HELOC is a second mortgage that uses your home as collateral to let you borrow up to a certain amount over time. To find the best lender for your needs, explore Bankrate's list of best lenders to compare before making a decision.
Learn more about First Citizens Bank's mortgages and compare this lender to others.
They can be a smart way to borrow, provided you’re aware of the risks.
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