Buying a Home and Mortgages
Buying a home and mortgages covers how people finance and purchase housing. A mortgage is a loan secured by the home. Banks and other lenders make most loans, and government-backed companies and agencies help support the market. Federal and state laws and regulators oversee lending.
People usually ask how mortgages work, what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do, how property ownership is divided, what a mortgage interest deduction is, and how debates over government housing finance play out.
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All Articles on Buying a Home and Mortgages
The 50-Year Mortgage: What It Is and Why Analysts Are Concerned
Housing affordability in the United States has become a central concern for many Americans. High home prices and rising interest rates are pricing many…
Should the Government Sell Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
At the heart of the American housing market lie two financial giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which together form the bedrock that allows…
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: The Government-Backed Mortgage Giants That Taxpayers Own
The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) are the foundational, if largely invisible, pillars of…
Fixture vs. Chattel: What Stays and What Goes When You Buy or Sell Property
You've just bought a house and you're moving in, only to discover the beautiful chandelier you admired during showings is gone. The seller took…
Fee Simple vs. Life Estate: Your Guide to Property Ownership
When you buy property, you're not just getting a house or land—you're getting a specific bundle of legal rights. Understanding what type of ownership…
Mortgage Interest Deduction vs Standard Deduction: Which Saves More?
Owning a home represents a significant financial milestone for many Americans. Beyond the personal benefits, homeownership can also unlock substantial federal tax advantages, potentially…