Homebuying Looking for all Freddie Mac blog posts about homebuying? You'll find them here. Understanding Contingency Clauses in Homebuying Contingencies are specific conditions you can add to your home purchase agreement to protect yourself. What Are Closing Costs and How Much Will I Pay? Learn what closing costs consist of and what you should expect to pay when you purchase your next home. Should I Waive the Home Inspection? Home inspections are important in helping you understand the property’s condition — and the results could help you negotiate on the price. Considering a Fixed-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Should Know Learn the ins and outs of fixed-rate mortgages and how you can determine if this loan type is right for you. 4 Things You Should Know Before Making an Offer on a Home By being prepared, knowing what to expect and working closely with your real estate agent, you can be confident in putting together a strong offer on a home. Loan Programs to Help You Buy a Home in a Rural Area If you’re one of the 46 million people in the U.S. living in a rural area, and you’re in the market to buy a home, you should know about the loan programs designed to make purchasing a home more affordable. Why Winter Is Still a Good Time to Buy or Sell a Home Whether you are looking to buy or sell your home, the winter season has its advantages. What You Need to Know About Discount Points Learn how discount points affect your mortgage and when you should consider buying them. What Homebuyers Can Expect with an Appraisal — and What to Do If It's Below Your Offer Price Buying a home is one of the most important financial investments you'll make, and getting a professional evaluation of its condition and value before you finalize the purchase is critical. How Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Into Your First Home Down payment assistance programs can help you secure the funds you need to buy a home. 5 Steps to Success Before Closing Day With support from a qualified team, and by staying on top of key actions, you can help ensure that you’re prepared for closing day. What Is Earnest Money and How Does It Work? Making an earnest money deposit as part of your homebuying offer can be more attractive to sellers. But how does it work and what should you expect to pay?