advice for buying a home
A lot goes into making the biggest purchase of your life. Here is how to get the most out of it.
When you're ready to buy a home, we're here to help.
Few things in life compare to the pride and joy of owning a home. Whether you're just getting your foot in the door or looking to move up, we're committed to helping you achieve your dream.
Home-buying can be a challenging process. Building your knowledge of the home-buying process can start today.
A great way to start is by researching the market and understanding the different options available to you. Compare prices, features, and warranties before making a decision, and consider long-term costs and how they will fit into your budget.
Explore our variety of financial tools to increase your chances of making the best decisions for your financial situation.
Smart Money U™ is the smart way to move toward your financial goals.
Credit card bills, debt, and saving may not be top of mind for you, but the financial decisions you make today will have a long-term impact on your life. Smart Money U will prepare you with the right skills to manage your financial future. The Smart Money U platform contains a myriad of valuable resources, including interactive educational videos in the ALEC LearningLab+, financial articles, podcasts, calculators, and more.
ALEC LearningLab+
Click on a course below to begin your personal learning experience.
Forbearance and Other Mortgage Payment OptionsIt's easy to get confused when you're looking at the options available to keep (or leave) your home. There are a lot of industry terms to take in, assess, and then decide what’s in your best interest. |
Home-buying 101 — Part 1: Am I Ready?There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding whether to buy a home. This course will explore ways to help build your personal and financial readiness for homeownership. |
Home-buying 101 — Part 2: Planning and PreparingWhen you're ready to buy a home, a little preparation will make the process a lot easier. This course will introduce you to the people you’ll work with, and help you plan for, homeownership costs, your down-payment, and mortgage payments. |
Home-buying 101 — Part 3: Shopping Around for Lenders and HousesHouse shopping can be a lot of fun, but looking for the right lender may be less exciting. This course will explore pre-qualification, pre-approval review, and things to consider when working with a buyer’s agent. |
Home-buying 101 — Part 4: Loan Application ProcessYou’ve worked with a realtor, found your dream home, and now you’re ready to submit your formal mortgage application. This course will walk you through the process of reviewing lender estimates, mortgage types, and how interest rates affect your loan payment. |
Home-buying 101 — Part 5: Closing DayClosing on your first house is a time to celebrate! It’s the last step in buying your new home, but the paperwork can be tedious and sometimes a little overwhelming. This course will outline the items you need and the steps you'll take before getting the keys to your new home. |
Webinar: 5 Tips to Improve Your Credit ScoreLearning about credit and why it matters. |
Webinar: Managing the Ups and Downs of Home buying & OwningWhether you are considering purchasing your first home or already own your home, we are here to offer guidance. Learn how to manage your budget and protect your housing investment during a hardship. |
ALEC Podcasts
Did you know your credit score is often used to summarize your financial health? In Parts 1 & 2 of the Understanding Your Credit Score series, you'll learn about your credit score, why it’s important to track, and tips to manage and improve it over time.
Episode 3: Understanding Your Credit Score Part 1
Episode 4: Understanding Your Credit Score Part 2
