Virginia First-Time Home Buyer: 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Virginia Real estate prices have been rising in the Old Dominion state, which can often put home buyers under pressure. Luckily, if you’re a Virginia first-time home buyer, there’s plenty of help available. That ranges from advice and home buyer education courses to cash grants or loans to help you out with your down payment. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in Virginia. Start here In this article (Skip to …) Virginia first-time home buyer programs There’s no shortage of support programs for Virginia first-time home buyers. You might be able to get help with advice, education, mortgages, or down payment assistance (DPA). The latter are often delivered through a local provider run by your city, county, or a nonprofit in your area. Verify your home buying eligibility in VA. Start here Two such organizations offer statewide support …

Vermont First-Time Home Buyer: 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Vermont Vermont home prices are rising at a rapid rate compared to many other states. This can be a real challenge for first-time home buyers. Fortunately, Vermont can offer assistance in the form of mortgages with below-market rates, valuable tax breaks, and down payment assistance for eligible buyers. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in Vermont. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Vermont first-time home buyer programs The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)4 has three home buying assistance programs for first-time buyers: MOVE, MOVE MCC, and ADVANTAGE. Check your home buying eligibility in Vermont. Start here All three of these programs offer genuinely valuable help. They also knock $825 off your Vermont property transfer tax. Program details and savings are subject to change; check the relevant website before you apply. To top it off, buyers using a …

Utah First-Time Home Buyer | Programs & Grants 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Utah Purchasing your first home in Utah can be difficult. However, there is plenty of assistance available. For first-time home buyers, the Beehive State offers a wealth of advice, counseling, and educational courses. Utah also has special mortgage programs for first-time home buyers. Perhaps most importantly, you may be eligible for a grant or loan to assist with your down payment and closing costs. Are you ready to begin the home-buying process? Verify your home buying eligibility in Utah. Start here In this article (Skip to …) Utah first-time home buyer programs As a Utah home buyer, your first port of call will likely be the state’s housing authority, the Utah Housing Corporation (UHC). It has several mortgage programs that can help Utah homeowners. Verify your home buying eligibility in Utah. Start here In order to get help from the UHC, you’ll …

Texas First-Time Home Buyer | 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Texas First-time home buyers in Texas have plenty of places to turn for help. The Lone Star State has a range of first-time home buyer programs — from advice and home buyer education courses to grants and loans that can help you cover your down payment and closing costs. Some of these down payment assistance programs are statewide, but others are for particular cities, towns, and counties. So make sure you explore your local options. Verify your home buying eligibility in Texas. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Texas first-time home buyer programs There are numerous sources of help for first-time home buyers in Texas. Start by checking out the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Check your home loan options. Start here Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) programs The …

Tennessee First-Time Home Buyer | Assistance Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Tennessee If you’re a first-time home buyer in Tennessee, you might be qualified for valuable assistance from your state, county, or city. That could include home buyer education, special mortgage programs, and even down payment assistance. Ready to take your first step toward becoming a homeowner? Here’s what to do. Verify your home buying eligibility in Tennessee. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Tennessee first-time home buyer programs First-time homebuyers in Tennessee can receive a variety of support from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). That includes home buyer education, a range of mortgage loans, and down payment assistance. Verify your home buying eligibility in Tennessee. Start here THDA Great Choice Home Loan Tennessee’s Great Choice Home Loan program offers home buyers a 30-year fixed-rate loan option, mostly based on FHA or USDA loans. The Great Choice home loan program is …

South Dakota First-Time Home Buyer: 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in South Dakota South Dakota’s average home prices are below the national median. But they saw big growth during the pandemic. Luckily, South Dakota offers valuable programs to help first-time home buyers, including special mortgages, down payment assistance, and tax breaks. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in South Dakota. Start here In this article (Skip to…) South Dakota first-time home buyer programs The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA)4 offers special mortgages to first-time buyers across the state. These offer the possibility of competitive interest rates or down payment assistance, together with a mortgage credit certificate (MCC). Verify your home buying eligibility in South Dakota. Start here The SDHDA explains, “SDHDA’s Tax Credit is available through a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which reduces the amount of federal income tax you pay, giving you more disposable income. With SDHDA’s …

State by State Beer Taxes 2025

Brad BeckettNotes

The Tax Foundation says as we head into the summer months, many Americans enjoy a cold beer at the end of a long day. However, beer taxes might dampen the vibe.  They point out that here in the U.S., taxes are the single most expensive ingredient in beer. This burden accounts for more of the final price of beer than labor & ingredients combined – as much as 40.8% of the retail price.  Check out their interactive map below. Key changes in 2025: Connecticut reduced the tax rate on beer from $0.24 per gallon to $0.19 per gallon. Kentucky reduced the tax rate on beer from $0.93 per gallon to $0.89 per gallon. Arkansas increased the tax rate on beer from $0.35 per gallon to $0.38 per gallon. North Dakota increased the tax rate on beer from $0.40 per gallon to $0.43 per gallon. Utah increased the tax rate on …

Airbnb Updates Terms of Service for Payments

Brad BeckettNotes

In late June, Airbnb issued an important update to their Payment Terms.  According to a release, updates to their Payments Terms are effective immediately for all first time users and for existing users on September 8, 2025.  If you have Airbnb rentals in your portfolio, it is important to take a look at these new terms and how they may (or may not) impact your business.  Be sure to dig deep into the details as some reports are noting that the payout schedules have been changed. “We updated the Payments Terms of Service to explain the instances and terms under which we may modify the payout schedule for accommodation bookings.” Click here to read more at Airbnb.   The post Airbnb Updates Terms of Service for Payments appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

Back to School Sales Tax Holidays 2025

Brad BeckettNotes

Several states across the nation are holding sales tax holidays during the back-to-school season.  Whether you think this is good or bad public policy is for another day;  the bottom-line is saving your hard-earned money!  The data has been provided by the Sale Tax Institute and actually covers the entire year – as well as many more products than just school supplies & clothing. Be sure to read your state’s “fine-print” for this exemption at their corresponding web site.  This list is subject to change and some states have already had sales tax holidays in 2025. 2025’s Upcoming States: Alabama = July 18-20 Arkansas = August 2-3 Florida = August 1-31 Iowa = August 1-2 Maryland = August 10-16 Massachusetts = August 9-10 Missouri = August 1-3 New Mexico = August 1-3 Ohio = August 1-14 Oklahoma = August 1-3 South Carolina = August 1-3 Tennessee = July 25-27 Texas …

Construction Employment Up in 33 States Year-Over-year

Brad BeckettNotes

Recent analysis from the Associated General Contractors said construction employment increased year-over-year in 33 states and the District of Columbia in May.  In addition, Association officials noted that employment gains in the industry have been muted amid questions about a range of federal labor, tax and trade policies. “Construction has been in a holding pattern for several months, with gains in a small majority of states…Uncertainty over tariffs, immigration, federal funding, taxes and other policy shifts is causing many types of projects to be put on hold across the country.”  Said Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist. Texas added the most construction employees (28,600 jobs or 3.4%), followed by Ohio (17,000 jobs, 6.9%), Michigan (10,400 jobs, 5.3%), Florida (9,900 jobs, 1.5%), and New Mexico (9,100 jobs, 17.2%).  Not surprising, California lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-13,800 jobs, -1.5%). Click here to read the full report …