Kelli Wilson opted for homeownership because she was looking for financial stability. She found that in a 1937 home, complete with spiral staircase, ceilings with rounded corners and vintage cabinetry with antique hardware.

The best part? Her mortgage is now lower than what she would be paying for rent. The other best part is that she knows how much her mortgage payment is going to be every month.

“When I lived in an apartment that would go up continually every year, a hundred dollars here, a hundred dollars there,” she says.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase “Ignorance is bliss,” right? Well, when it comes to buying a home, we couldn’t disagree more.

In fact, the more you know about the homebuying process — the better armed you are with a complete picture about the ins, outs, do’s and don’ts — the easier it is for you to come to a few key realizations. Notably:

1. Is homebuying right for you? (We’re hoping you’re thinking “yes.”)

Effective September 1, 2020 the HIP DPA program will change from a 3-year/30-year split second mortgage to a straight 3-year prorated forgivable second.

Delegated Lenders utilizing their own direct endorsement (DE) authority may complete their own Project Review without submitting the project for review to U.S. Bank Project Approval Department (PAD). Any DE Lender may use the new Single Unit Approval review as U.S. Bank will not be required to indemnify the loan. Any loan utilizing the Single Unit Approval will have a maximum LTV of 90% LTV (including MIP) due to the default risk.

There are many reasons to consider buying a home after the age of 50. It could be time to save some money by downsizing or give into the lure of a warmer community. Or maybe it’s time to invest in a first home.

“It’s never too late,” says Las Vegas real estate agent Merri Perry. “If you buy right, you’ll make money off your home, you may have a tax write-off and, as importantly, you’ll have the pride of owning your own home. I think that buying a home is the best investment that anyone can make, no matter how old they are.”

Our state has been hit hard by the COVID-related economic shutdown, which means many Nevadans have suddenly found themselves in precarious housing positions, unable to make mortgage payments or pay rent. There are many organizations out there that have advice and resources to help. Unfortunately, bad times also tend to bring out the worst in people so it’s important to have good information to make good decisions.