Homebuying Looking for all Freddie Mac blog posts about homebuying? You'll find them here. 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 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 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. Learn more Understanding Contingency Clauses in Homebuying Contingencies are specific conditions you can add to your home purchase agreement to protect yourself. Learn more 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. Learn more 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. Learn more 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. Learn more 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. Learn more A Beginner’s Guide to Home Loans Learn the mortgage basics, including what a mortgage is, typical types of loans, and the concept of shopping for a lender. Learn more What’s the Difference Between Interest Rate and APR? When it comes to buying a house, knowing the difference between these two rates is important and could save you thousands of dollars on your mortgage. Learn more Loan Options for Building Your Home Learn about construction loans, including your options for securing a mortgage after construction is complete. Learn more