Tim Maxwell Articles

• Homebuyers
• September 14, 2026

Down Payment Stacking: How to Combine Funding Sources to Buy a Home

If you don’t have enough money saved for the down payment and closing costs, the concept of down payment stacking may be able to help.

• Homebuyers
• September 9, 2026

Home Inspections vs Home Appraisals: Why They’re Both Important for Homebuyers

A home inspection and a home appraisal are two very different, but key, parts of the homebuying process. Here's what homebuyers need to know.

• Homeowners
• August 25, 2026

What Is a Lien on a Home? What Homebuyers and Homeowners Should Know

Not all liens are bad. In fact, the biggest lien you’ll likely ever have is a mortgage on a home. Here's what homeowners need to know about liens.

• Homebuyers
• July 23, 2026

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Home vs. Buying a Home? What Buyers Need to Know

How much does it cost to build a home? Location matters, so does the amount of square footage, the features and finishes, and style of the home.

• Homeowners
• July 14, 2026

The Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages for Older Homeowners

A reverse mortgage loan offers a way that homeowners can put their home equity to use without selling their properties or moving out.

• Homebuyers
• June 29, 2026

If You’re Buying a Home, These 5 Steps May Help You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

A mortgage pre-approval may give you an advantage in a competitive market. And many of the factors that lenders consider are things you can improve before you apply.

• Homebuyers
• June 17, 2026

Mark Zuckerburg, Beyonce, and Paris Hilton: Why Wealthy Homebuyers Often Prefer Mortgages When They Could Pay Cash

Mark Zuckerberg has taken out mortgages to purchase homes. So have Elon Musk, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and Paris Hilton. This is why it may be a smart move even if you can buy in cash.

• Homeowners
• June 5, 2026

Should Homeowners Pay Off Their Mortgages Before Retirement? When It Makes Sense—And When It Doesn’t

Here are some benefits of paying off your home before retirement, as well as some potential downsides to consider.

• Housing News
• May 28, 2026

What the Fed Leadership Shake-Up Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

The U.S. Federal Reserve ushered in a new chair, Kevin Warsh, renewing hopes that lower mortgage interest rates are on the horizon.

• Homebuyers
• May 7, 2026

Does Getting Prequalified or Preapproved for a Mortgage Hurt Your Credit Score?

The good news is not all credit pulls affect your score. Even when hard inquiries are made for home loans, credit scores typically only drop by a few points and may recover in as little as a few months.