Financial Advice

Buy & Own a Home

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  • QualifyingforSpecialHomeLoans_web_thumbnail_250x250
    Buy & Own a Home

    Qualifying for Special Home Loans

    Did you know there are special loan programs just for veterans and community heroes? These special loan programs can provide significant savings for qualified applicants.

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    Buy & Own a Home

    Five Themes for the Spare Bedroom of Your Dreams

    While that spare room offers a blank canvas for entertainment and rejuvenation, it’s also a ripe opportunity to roll in some extra dough.

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  • FourCrucialQuestionstoAskBeforeBuyingaHome(web_thumbnail_250x250)
    Buy & Own a Home

    Four Crucial Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

    Ask yourself these four crucial questions before you commit to buying a home.

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  • Male Realtor Showing Female Client Around House
    Buy & Own a Home

    Why First-Time Home Buyers Need an Agent

    Hiring a real estate agent is a very wise decision for first-time home buyers. Consider these five reasons why.

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  • Man on the sofa
    Buy & Own a Home

    Making Home Ownership a Reality

    UFCU staff and referral partners worked together to help 2,993 Members buy or refinance a home in 2016. Learn why the Austin Business Journal has named UFCU Mortgage Services the largest mortgage lender in Austin for two consecutive years now.

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  • Couple moves a sofa into their new house.
    Buy & Own a Home

    Are You Ready for Home Ownership? Four Ways to Know

    It’s not always obvious for first-time home buyers when the time is right to make that big purchase. If home ownership is something you’re working toward, here are four ways to know if you’re really ready.

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  • Couple sitting in a living room
    Buy & Own a Home

    Home Ownership — The American Dream Lives On

    While the housing crisis did impact the desire to own a home, it did not have a long-term effect. The American dream of owning a home lives on.

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  • A basic set of tools will help you deal with what comes your way on your new property.
    Buy & Own a Home

    Ten Tools for First-Time Home Buyers

    Do you have a list of projects you want to tackle in your new home? Here are the basic tools you’ll need to get the job done.

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  • Learning about buying a home while enjoying some coffee
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Don’t Assume You Can’t Afford to Buy

    Owning your own home might feel like a “someday” dream, but what if the smartest time to buy is today?

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  • Green apples in a bowl
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Some Things in Life are Free

    Instead of paying rent every month, you can put down roots and enjoy the future payoff.

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  • Buttering toast in a kitchen
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Outsmart Rent Increases for Good

    Renting is a commitment to paying more and more in housing costs each year, as inflation and growth drive rents higher.

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  • Father and son research home buying.
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Get Homegrown Wisdom Before Buying Your First Home

    You know those moments—the ones when you realize that your parents were right? Make them work in your favor when you’re considering buying your first home.

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  • A couple uses a tablet in their kitchen to research homes for sale.
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Owning a Home Pays at Tax Time

    When you buy a home, the mortgage interest you do pay is tax-deductible. So are your property taxes. Mortgage insurance can even be a tax deduction, if you qualify.

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  • Friends sitting on a patio and chatting
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    Stop Paying Rent. Start Paying Yourself.

    In 2015, home values increased by an average of 10% in the Austin market—meaning homebuyers saw an average 10% return on their investment in only one year.

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  • Couple thinking about their dream home
    12 Benefits of Owning a Home · Buy & Own a Home

    It’s a Great Year to Buy a House

    You might be surprised at how affordable mortgage payments can be at current rates—they may even be comparable to the rent you’re paying now.

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  • Buy & Own a Home

    Buying vs. Renting

    This video discusses several important factors to consider when choosing which option is right for you.

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  • Buy & Own a Home

    Buyer Beware

    Purchasing can put you on the radar for unwanted solicitations. Learn about the most common solicitation types and what you should do about them.

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  • Buy & Own a Home

    Understanding Appraisals

    Before investing in an appraisal, you'll want to use your option period to complete all property inspections to your satisfaction. Then, your real estate agent will give us the go-ahead to order an appraisal.

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  • Buy & Own a Home

    Home Equity Loan Basics

    Determining whether it’s best to refinance or to obtain a home equity loan is very complicated and depends on many factors. Let us guide you through what to consider and why.

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  • Buy & Own a Home

    Refinancing Your Mortgage

    Refinancing is paying off your existing mortgage with a brand new mortgage. Why and when should you refinance your home—or hold off until a better time? We’ll help you decide.

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