With so many loan options out there, it's easy for a first time buyer to be overwhelmed. Traditionally, the often-repeated phrase is to save 20% before buying your first home. But with loans such as the FHA loan offering as low as 3.5% down, is 20% still necessary? Even conventional loans like the 30-year fixed only ask for a minimum of 5%. So what's the benefit of saving the entire 20%? Related posts:

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Weekly Jobless Claims were 457,000. This is slightly better than last week's 462,000. Continuing claims rose slightly to 4,579,000. Related posts:

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Every year, many home buyers worry that their credit score is too low for them to qualify for a mortgage. And while raising your credit score isn't rocket science, it's easy to get confused between the factors that actually impact your credit versus the ones that just sound like they do. Related posts:

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Last April, actor Mel Gibson and his wife of 28 years, Robyn Moore, filed for divorce. Of course with any divorce comes the dividing of assets. According to a Zillow article, the majority of Gibson's $900 million worth is tied-up in real estate, so there's actually not very much cash to be split up. Related posts:

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Yesterday's FOMC minutes maintained the "exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended period." The FOMC also reiterated the MBS purchase program is "nearing completion and the remaining transactions will be executed by the end of this month." Related posts:

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There are many household chores we do automatically, and have done it the same way for years. However, we could be outdated in some of our methods, especially with technology changing the way appliances work. Read on for tips on some of the most common mistakes homeowners make with operating their appliances. Related posts:

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The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced today that it will again hold its Fed Funds rate at the 0—0.25 percent range. This is the rate at which banks loan money to one another, and impacts rates for adjustable rate mortgages and home equity lines of credit Related posts:

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The Fed is also expected to keep the "exceptionally low" rates statement for an "extended period." The February Housing Starts report showed that both housing starts and building permits fell month over month. Related posts:

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It's that time of the year again. Homeowners: as you're getting ready to prepare your tax returns, be sure to read up on these tax deductions. After all, did you know that over a million Americans overpay their taxes by an estimated $945 million every year? See, bet you're glad to have found this article now. Here are the top ten tax deductions you should know about. Related posts:

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The bond market is relatively unchanged this morning from Friday's closing prices. The market will be focusing on tomorrow's FOMC meeting, where the Fed is expected to keep rates unchanged. Related posts:

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