If you're planning to buy a home in the near future, you're probably already in the process of saving up for a down payment. But if you haven't seen a mortgage advisor or started looking at properties yet, you probably don't have a good idea of what a down payment will cost you. Different mortgages have different down payment requirements, and you'll need to figure out ahead of time how much of a down payment you need to put forward. Following are some general guidelines. Be sure to speak with a … [Read more...]

A new house is a major investment. Even if you have a mortgage, the bank and the seller will still expect a sizeable down payment. That's why lots of people regularly gift down payments to friends and relatives - it's a great way to help young people start out on the path of home ownership. But what are the rules around gifting down payments? Can you simply give someone everything they need? Although it's a generous thought, it's not always possible - here's what you need to know. Make Sure You … [Read more...]