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House.ai is a real estate brokerage that works with consumers on finding the best properties to meet their needs and receive the best home-buying and home-selling education.

House.ai currently serves buyers and sellers in Texas, Florida, California, and Arizona. More states are on the way.

Real estate brokerage licenses are held by HOUSE.AI LLC (Texas, Florida), House.AI, Inc. (California), and House.AI Arizona (Arizona) — see our real estate licenses. California DRE #02447419. Home financing is offered through GMCC (General Mortgage Capital Corporation). Equal Housing Lender.

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Guides

Short guides on buying a home, paying for it, owning it, and renting it out. One question each, a few minutes to read, grouped by topic below.

AllBuying PowerRates & loansYour homeRentalsMore

Showing All

Buying Power

First-time buying

  • What you need to get started3 min read
  • How much house can you really afford?7 min read
  • How to choose a mortgage lender6 min read
  • What your Buying Power means4 min read
  • What moves your number most5 min read
  • Can I count my current home’s equity?5 min read
  • How do I reach “Offer-ready”?5 min read
  • Does connecting accounts run a hard check?3 min read
  • What pre-approval is — and why it matters6 min read
  • How a sale becomes your down payment4 min read
  • Sell first or buy first?6 min read
  • Closing your dream-home gap5 min read
  • Stretch your buying power, safely5 min read
  • Make a strong offer at your number4 min read
  • How to reach “Offer-ready” (pre-approval flow)5 min read
  • How to choose a mortgage lender (pre-approval flow)6 min read

Rates & loans

Rates highlights

  • When Refinancing Makes Sense (and When It Doesn't)5 min read
  • Should I Lock My Rate? How to Decide3 min read
  • Mortgage Points & Buying Down Your Rate4 min read

How rates work

  • How Mortgage Rates Are Set3 min read
  • What Moves Mortgage Rates3 min read
  • Why Your Rate Differs From the Advertised Rate3 min read
  • Interest Rate vs. APR: What's the Difference?3 min read
  • Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate (ARM): How Each Works3 min read
  • How a Rate Lock (and Float-Down) Works3 min read

Mortgage basics

  • Mortgage Basics 101: Key Terms5 min read
  • Types of Mortgages: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo5 min read
  • The Mortgage Process Step by Step4 min read
  • First-Time Home Buyer Guide & Common Mistakes4 min read
  • Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval4 min read
  • How to Read Your Loan Estimate5 min read

Costs & fees

  • What Are Closing Costs and What's Included5 min read
  • Mortgage Fees to Watch For (Junk Fees)4 min read
  • How Escrow Accounts Bundle Tax & Insurance4 min read
  • What Is PMI (Mortgage Insurance) — and How to Cancel It4 min read
  • Beware of Closing & Wire-Fraud Scams4 min read

Refinancing

  • What Is Refinancing and How It Works5 min read
  • How to Calculate Your Refinance Break-Even6 min read
  • The Two Types of Refinance: Rate-and-Term vs. Cash-Out5 min read

Borrowing against equity

  • 3 Ways to Borrow Against Your Home, Compared5 min read
  • What Is a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)?4 min read
  • How Home Equity Loans (Second Mortgages) Work5 min read
  • What Is a Home Equity Investment (Shared-Equity)5 min read
  • How Much Can You Borrow Against Your Home?6 min read

Your home

Equity

  • What Is Home Equity and How to Calculate It5 min read
  • How to Build Home Equity Faster5 min read
  • How Your Equity Grows Over Time (Appreciation + Paydown)4 min read
  • Ways to Tap Your Home Equity (and Trade-Offs)5 min read
  • Could Your Equity Fund a Move-Up or Second Home?4 min read

Valuations

  • How Homes Get Valued: Online Estimates, Appraisals & Agent Pricing4 min read
  • What Is an Automated Valuation Model (AVM)?4 min read
  • Reading Your Home's Estimate: Why Tools Differ & When to Get an Appraisal6 min read
  • How a Home Appraisal Works4 min read

Improvements & upkeep

  • Which Home Improvements Add the Most Value (Cost vs. Value)4 min read
  • The Best-Value Home Upgrades: Doors, Siding & Paint4 min read
  • Kitchen & Bath Remodels: How Much You Get Back4 min read
  • Don't Over-Improve for Your Neighborhood3 min read
  • Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist4 min read
  • New-Homeowner Maintenance Starter Checklist3 min read
  • How to Budget for Home Maintenance (1% Rule)3 min read
  • How to Find and Vet Contractors4 min read
  • Repairs vs. Improvements: What's the Difference4 min read

Selling

  • How Much You'll Actually Walk Away With (Net Proceeds)5 min read
  • How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?4 min read
  • Capital Gains Tax & the $250k/$500k Exclusion3 min read
  • When Is the Right Time to Sell?4 min read
  • How to Prep Your Home for Sale4 min read

Rental tax & profitability

  • Reporting Rental Income & Expenses on Schedule E4 min read
  • Which Rental Expenses You Can Deduct3 min read
  • Rental Repairs vs. Improvements: Deduct Now or Over Time?3 min read
  • Rental Property Depreciation Explained (27.5-Year)3 min read
  • What Records to Keep for Rental Taxes3 min read
  • Is Your Rental Making Money? Cash Flow, Cap Rate & NOI5 min read

Rentals

Landlords & renters

  • Rent vs. buy: which makes sense for you?7 min read
  • How to set the right rent for your unit6 min read
  • Landlord tax deductions & Schedule E basics8 min read
  • Tenant rights: what your landlord must provide6 min read
  • How to get your security deposit back5 min read
  • Renter's insurance: what it covers and what it costs4 min read

Guides are general information, not financial, tax, or legal advice for your situation. Figures in examples are illustrative.