Buying a home

Being a winter homebuyer can offer several benefits, including less competition, deals on homes and faster closing times.

The transition from renting to owning a home can have a great deal of unexpected things to consider.

The first step toward buying a home is to get set up with the right home lending advisor.

If buying a home in your area is too pricey, you may want to consider buying an investment property or second home in a vacation destinations first.

The homebuying process is packed with questions: How are the schools? Is this the best price? Will the next-door neighbor ever put away that rusty trampoline in the backyard? And how long can you put up with the horrifying Mad Men-style orange wallpaper in the basement? But of all the important questions—price, location, wallpaper—one of the most vital often goes unasked. Namely, is this the best time for you to buy a house?

Today's complex, sometimes lengthy process can befuddle even the financial savvy borrower. With that in mind, here's a short cheat sheet to help you navigate the terms you'll encounter during your home lending process—and find your way into your new home.