awesome-home-buying
github.com/khouryfinance/awesome-home-buying ↗A list of useful resources for buying your home in a crazy market. Written by some people at Khoury Finance
Use this list with your AI agent
Add the Context Awesome MCP server to Claude, Cursor, or any MCP client, then ask:
"Show me about realtor commissions resources from awesome-home-buying"
Installation instructions →What's inside
Commissions
- Avoiding Real Estate CommissionsAbout Realtor Commissions
Everything we know about saving on Realtor commissions.
- Khoury Finance: DIY Home BuyingDiscount Real-Estate Providers
Save up to 50% of the buyer's side commission by taking on the fun parts of the real-estate process yourself.
Mortgages
- BankRate: Mortgage RatesCalculators
A thorough calculator and explainer for comparing mortgage rates.
- Investopedia: Mortgage Brokers vs. Direct LendersGuides
The differences between brokers and direct lenders, pros and cons, and which to choose depending on your situation.
- RocketMortgage: Types of MortgagesGuides
An introductory explainer on the different types of mortgages offered by lenders, banks and brokers.
- /r/PersonalFinance: Mortgage WikiGuides
Useful resource for understanding mortgages, includes links to popular reddit threads that discuss the topic.
- TheMortgageReports: Types of Home LoansGuides
A fairly exhaustive compendium of articles on all the different types of mortgages/home loans.
- Time: How to Find the Best Mortgage LenderGuides
Whether to choose a broker or a lender, and what specific items to shop around for and focus on.
Down Payments
- Bankrate: What is Home Down Payment
The basics of down payments, your options, and the implications of each.
- CFPB: What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Explains what down-payment brackets will trigger PMI, how it works, how it's paid, and when you can refinance out of it.
- Khoury Finance: What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)?
Private Mortgage Insurance explainer, how it works, and why you might consider paying 20% down to avoid it.
- Reddit: Housing Down Payments 101 by /u/yes_its_him
A celebrated guide on down payments, how you can source them, and the consequences of a low down payment via private mortgage insurance.
- TheMortgageReports: Low to 0 Down-Payment Mortgage Options
A comprehensive look into the different types of mortgages that allow for less than a 20% down payment.
Escrow and Title
- Chase: Understanding Earnest Money
Explains what earnest money deposits are, why they're a common convention, and how to protect your earnest money in case the deal falls through.
- EndPointClosing: 19 Title and Escrow Problems and How to Solve Them
Fairly exhaustive look at all the reasons you and the seller might fall out of escrow and drop the deal.
- Forbes: How a Home Inspection Protects YouInspections
Outlines all the benefits of a home inspection from the buyer's point-of-view, as well as recommendations on what to do if the inspection uncovers issues with the home.
- Forbes: How Home Appraisals WorkAppraisals
Explains the fundamentals of house appraisal. Who organizes it, what occurs, who pays for it and why it's important.
- Forbes: Title Insurance: Is It Required?
Defines what title insurance is, the various types, and what it protects you from.
- Khoury Finance: What is an appraisal gap?Appraisals
Appraisal gaps and how they can impact your transaction.
Closing Costs
- Forbes: Mortgage Closing Costs Explained: How Much You’ll PayGuides
A great explainer on categories of closing costs, and the general fee amounts (will be different state-to-state).
- Reddit: Buyer's Closing Costs 101 by /u/yes_its_himGuides
Covers a lot of ground on what closing costs are, how they work, and how to best shop around and compare.
- SmartAsset: Closing Cost CalculatorCalculators
A simple calculator that lists out all the possible closing costs, contingent on your purchase price and location.
- SmartAsset: How to Reduce Closing CostsGuides
Tips, tricks and strategies on how to shop around for the lowest closing costs, and how to negotiate for lower fees.
Home Search
- Foreclosure.comPlatforms
- FSBO.comPlatforms
- Homes.comPlatforms
- Homes for HeroesPlatforms
- Khoury Finance: How to Search for a Home without a RealtorGuides
A guide on how to search for homes without professional assistance. Includes tools and resources to evaluate your choices.
- Realtor.comPlatforms
Making an Offer
- HomeBuyer: Making an Offer on a House
Fundamentals of making an offer, the steps getting there, what to understand and include in the offer -- with or without a buyer's agent.
- KhouryFinance: What Does it Mean to Waive an Appraisal ContingencyContingencies
Appraisal Contingencies and everything you need to know about them.
- NerdWallet: Common Real Estate Contingencies Home Buyers Should KnowContingencies
Basic primer on what contingencies are, and how they can protect you from unfortunate surprises so you can pull out of the deal.
- Nolo: Required Disclosures When Selling U.S. Real EstateDisclosures
Explains the basics of disclosures, and what disclosures are required for the seller.
- QuickenLoans: A Guide To Seller Disclosure Requirements: Forms, States And MoreDisclosures
A comprehensive look at disclosures and state-by-state requirements with documents detailing all the necessary information.
- RocketHomes: How Often do Contingent Offers Fall ThroughContingencies
Details possible buyer and seller contingencies, and the risks associated with having too many as a buyer in a competitive market.
HomeGuessr
- HomeGuessr - Put your inner home appraiser to the test!
Our free browser game where players guess the value of recently listed homes. See how much of a grip you have on modern property prices!
Showing a sample of 53 resources. View the full list on GitHub →