8 Home Costs That Take New Buyers by Surprise

While renting has the advantage of being affordable and carefree, purchasing your own home can be a great investment opportunity—if you’re prepared. Unlike with a rental, the costs of repairing and maintaining a property fall completely on the homeowner, and too often these additional financial responsibilities catch first-time buyers by surprise. Prime yourself to take on any sudden shakeup with this list of 8 often-overlooked costs of owning a home.

What to Know About Paying Off Your Mortgage Early

You’ve probably heard that no debt is good debt, and if you have the ability to pay off your home mortgage (perhaps you lucked into an inheritance), your first thought might be to get rid of those monthly mortgage payments once and for all. While that could very well be the best possible solution, it’s not the only solution, and it might even be the wrong solution—financially speaking. Before you cut that large check to your lender, learn some of the ins and outs of paying off a mortgage early.

11 Sneaky Ways to Save When Buying a Home

Good deals on great homes are hard to come by these days. If, however, you’re a die-hard do-it-yourselfer, or you don’t mind living in a new build, or you enjoy thinking outside the box, you can save thousands—maybe even tens of thousands—of dollars when you decide to buy. So, while you’re shopping around, try some of these alternative house-hunting methods that can help you find a bargain, save a bundle, and turn your home-buying dream into a reality.