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First-time buyers are gravitating toward smaller packages, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The Association recently released the NAHB Home Builder Preferences Survey indicating that smaller homes are selling well. Primarily to first-time buyers, such as the latest cohort – the millennials. The home builders interviewed for the report suggest that many people now prefer to purchase small. And U.S. Census Bureau figures support that position. The average home built in 2016 was 2,634 sq. ft., down from 2,689 sq. ft. in 2015.

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Remodeling in the Fall? There are a few things that should be considered. As temperatures cool down, and we prepare for a season of shorter, darker days, it’s time to think about the inside of your home – how to make it as glorious on gloomy days as it was during the brilliant sunshine of summer. Oh good: Projects!

But wait. Don’t let the excitement of remodeling your home get in the way of proper planning. Rushing your project list can lead to unnecessary spending and less-than-thrilling final results. Here’s what you need to consider before picking up a hammer or swiping a credit card:

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Second mortgages as defined by RateHub are “additional loans taken out on a property that is already mortgaged.” Sounds risky – and indeed second mortgages come with plenty of risks. But they also come with rewards.

There are two major kinds of second mortgages. The home equity line of credit (HELOC) has a variable interest rate and acts much like a credit card. It allows you to withdraw the cash you need, when you need it. And the fixed-rate home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum and make set monthly payments.

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Home buyers can easily become discouraged once serious house hunting begins. In hot real estate markets, buying a property may feel like a nearly impossible feat. Skyrocketing prices, low inventory, and bidding wars can make a prospective buyer feel dejected.

But becoming a homeowner in hot cities can happen, if you employ the right techniques. A recent article in RISMedia outlines tactics for home buyers to use when shopping for a home.

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Credit score health means everything when it’s time to purchase a home. Fortunately there are things you can do ahead of time to assure that something as basic as your credit won’t stand in the way of you and your home purchase. Your credit – including ensuring credit reports are correct, knowing your credit score, and acting to improve it – is among the most confusing topics related to personal finance. Yet it’s extremely important – particularly if you’re planning to buy a house, and especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Your credit is one of the first things a lender will look at when you apply for a mortgage.

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Seller Financing, also known as owner financing, is growing in popularity in today’s economy.  With the credit markets slowing down and people finding it harder and harder to borrow, seller financing is looking better and better as an alternative to traditional financing. Seller financing is when the seller of the property basically agrees to take payments rather than a lump sum.

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New home shopping can be invigorating! When shopping for a new home, it’s easy to fall in love. You can find yourself dazzled by the sprawling backyard, trendy kitchen, or sky-high ceilings, and want to make an offer right then and there. But it’s important to take a step back and take the time to evaluate the perhaps less-exciting details. These often overlooked details may ultimately lead to significant, costly issues.

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Property value can be affected by many different things. We all know that living near a good school increases the value of your home. But who knew a neighboring cemetery can adversely affect your property value? Or that proximity to a hospital isn’t a good thing? In fact, we now know – or should know – that nothing is more important when selling your home than your neighborhood. So if you’re buying, think ahead; purchase your dream home in the wrong location and you may be buying into a nightmare.

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Single women buying homes in the US are on the rise. “Skip the spouse, buy the house”. That was a line from a recent Bloomberg news story about single women buying homes on their own. It’s catchy, but it’s also true. Single women currently account for approximately 17% of new homebuyers in the U.S., versus 7% of single men.

Why? Despite the wage gaps that remain between men and women in the workforce, many millennial women appear to value homeownership more than their male counterparts. And they’re adjusting their lifestyles accordingly to make it happen.

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Homeownership is still the surest way to accumulate wealth. Opponents of homeownership claim it’s the American nightmare. However self-made millionaire David Bach is doubling down on his faith in real estate. He thinks that not prioritizing homeownership is “the single biggest mistake millennials are making.” Buying a home is “an escalator to wealth,” he tells CNBC.

Young adults in particular aren’t hopping on this escalator, and it’s a costly mistake. Bach warns: “If millennials don’t buy a home, their chances of actually having any wealth in this country are little to none. The average homeowner to this day is 38 times wealthier than a renter.”

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