Rural living and hobby farming hold great appeal as alternative lifestyles. Growing your own food and raising livestock in a rural area can provide a much-needed escape from city living and the suburban sprawl. Is a hobby farm right for you? Here are some things you'll want to consider before making a decision: 1. [...]
You might think that if you're looking to buy a home, there are only two types of mortgages that you can get — either a conventional loan or an FHA loan. It makes sense that this might be your thinking, as these are the two most popular types of mortgages available. If you're living [...]
From country mouse and city mouse to "Green Acres," the debate over rural versus urban living goes all the way back to ancient Greece and Aesop's fables. While personal preference and economics play a role in where we choose to live, the benefits of rural living, particularly in these stressful times, have great appeal. [...]
After the housing crisis in 2008, mortgage underwriting guidelines changed dramatically, which has made it increasingly more and more difficult for many people to get loan approvals. Prior to this, it was quite common for homebuyers to finance 100% of the purchase price of a house. As underwriting guidelines have tightened up, however, these no [...]
One government-backed loan that doesn't get a lot of attention, but features a number of great benefits, is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Guaranteed Home Loan. According to their website, the USDA provides approved lenders a 90% loan guarantee so that they in turn can offer rural homebuyers of, "low and [...]