Homebuying Looking for all Freddie Mac blog posts about homebuying? You'll find them here. How to Get the Best Interest Rate for Your Mortgage Understanding how lenders determine interest rates, and how you may be able to lower your rate, can help you secure the best mortgage for you. Learn more What Is Escrow? Whether you are a homebuyer or homeowner, here’s what you should know about escrow. Learn more Choosing Between a Fixed-Rate and an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage In deciding between a fixed-rate and an adjustable rate mortgage, carefully consider the features and benefits of each. Learn more What to Know About Co-Buying a House Although the arrangement may not be for everyone, co-buying with friends and family could be an option in challenging housing markets. Learn more What to Expect with a Home Inspection A home inspection uncovers any underlying issues with the property so that you can complete your home purchase with confidence. Learn more Spotting and Preventing Predatory Lending Learn more about the warning signs of predatory lending and your protections as a consumer. Learn more Do I Need to Put Down 20% on a Home? You may be overestimating the upfront costs of homeownership. Some mortgage programs make it possible to put down as little as 3%. Learn more 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? Learn more 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. Learn more How Do I Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage? If you’re thinking about buying a house, getting pre-approved for a loan is an important step before you start your search. Learn more 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. Learn more Exploring Mortgage Options for Native Homebuyers There are many mortgage products available to finance the purchase, construction or renovation of homes on Native lands. Learn more