Articles
Knowledge Is Power
We’re here to advise.
Preparing for life’s changes and challenges is no easy task. We’re here to help you make smart financial decisions that push you to the next level of prosperity, and education is your best path to success.
Rely on us for honest, practical advice that can help you manage your money, invest and save, build good credit, buy a car or a home, and more. Whatever you’re striving toward, we’re here to help you get there.
Buy & Own a Home
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Five Family Nights to Love in Your New Home
When you open the door to your new family home, you open the door to a new era of family memories. That means countless living room laughs, fun-filled birthday parties, and of course, unforgettable evenings with your favorite people. -
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Qualifying for Special Home Loans
Did you know there are special loan programs just for veterans and community heroes? These special loan programs can provide significant savings for qualified applicants. -
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Five Themes for the Spare Bedroom of Your Dreams
While that spare room offers a blank canvas for entertainment and rejuvenation, it’s also a ripe opportunity to roll in some extra dough. -
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Four Crucial Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home
Ask yourself these four crucial questions before you commit to buying a home. -
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Why First-Time Home Buyers Need an Agent
Hiring a real estate agent is a very wise decision for first-time home buyers. Consider these five reasons why. -
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Making Home Ownership a Reality
UFCU staff and referral partners worked together to help 2,993 Members buy or refinance a home in 2016. Learn why the Austin Business Journal has named UFCU Mortgage Services the largest mortgage lender in Austin for two consecutive years now. -
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Are You Ready for Home Ownership? Four Ways to Know
It’s not always obvious for first-time home buyers when the time is right to make that big purchase. If home ownership is something you’re working toward, here are four ways to know if you’re really ready. -
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Home Ownership — The American Dream Lives On
While the housing crisis did impact the desire to own a home, it did not have a long-term effect. The American dream of owning a home lives on. -
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Ten Tools for First-Time Home Buyers
Do you have a list of projects you want to tackle in your new home? Here are the basic tools you’ll need to get the job done. -
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Some Things in Life are Free
Instead of paying rent every month, you can put down roots and enjoy the future payoff. -
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Get Homegrown Wisdom Before Buying Your First Home
You know those moments—the ones when you realize that your parents were right? Make them work in your favor when you’re considering buying your first home. -
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Owning a Home Pays at Tax Time
When you buy a home, the mortgage interest you do pay is tax-deductible. So are your property taxes. Mortgage insurance can even be a tax deduction, if you qualify. -
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Stop Paying Rent. Start Paying Yourself.
In 2015, home values increased by an average of 10% in the Austin market—meaning homebuyers saw an average 10% return on their investment in only one year. -
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It’s a Great Year to Buy a House
You might be surprised at how affordable mortgage payments can be at current rates—they may even be comparable to the rent you’re paying now. -
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Buying vs. Renting
This video discusses several important factors to consider when choosing which option is right for you. -
Buyer Beware
Purchasing can put you on the radar for unwanted solicitations. Learn about the most common solicitation types and what you should do about them. -
Understanding Appraisals
Before investing in an appraisal, you'll want to use your option period to complete all property inspections to your satisfaction. Then, your real estate agent will give us the go-ahead to order an appraisal. -
Home Equity Loan Basics
Determining whether it’s best to refinance or to obtain a home equity loan is very complicated and depends on many factors. Let us guide you through what to consider and why.
