Wanting to buy a home but afraid you won’t qualify for a mortgage because of student loan debt, poor credit or a dismal savings account?

With the U.S. homeownership rate around 65 percent, statistics show that owning one’s own home is still an important milestone and a part of the American dream.* Whether it’s a cottage on the lake, a sprawling home in the suburbs, or a condo in the city, owning a home continues to be an enduring symbol of family, security and prosperity.

  Buying a house can leave you feeling overwhelmed and under-informed.  Not only are you spending every waking hour searching for your perfect home,  you also have to think about how you're going to pay for it.  And when choosing a mortgage, it's important to find one that works with your budget now, and also 15- to 30-years down the road as well. Because the world of home financing can be a confusing one, let's take a look at two of the most popular loans in the housing market: Conventional and FHA.

Class is in session! It's time answer your mortgage questions. Questions about home loans can come from all kinds of home buyers. Whether it's your first home, or you're looking to upgrade as your family grows, the housing market can be daunting to even the most seasoned buyer. The housing bubble burst of 2007-2009 still has many folks a little gun shy. One mortgage question we hear from folks is "Where can my down payment come from?" 

You should not go broke buying a home. In fact, the best home loan should not put you in the poor house. The best home loan should also help you afford more than a shack.  

Since a rural development mortgage funds 100-percent of the appraised value of a home, a buyer doesn't have to have a down payment. Sounds pretty simple. There are several life-changing factors that could come with a mortgage loan like this. Think about what a zero-down payment mortgage would do for you!

What do you think of when you hear "USDA Rural Development?" Do you picture a big red barn and a long white fence with horses and lots of acres at hand? It's the wrong picture. In fact, USDA rural development is not for farmers. It's not a mortgage loan option for buying a farm. Let's look at what this loan program is for in today's housing market.