Wednesday, November 19, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
First-Time Home Buyers Are Now 40......But Here’s How You Can Become a Homeowner Sooner
Local guidance from The Huemmer Home Team – over 2,000 homes sold
The latest NAR data shows the median first-time home buyer in the U.S. is now 40 years old, up from 38 last year. Affordability challenges, high interest rates, other debts, cost of living, and limited starter-home inventory all play a role in pushing first-time purchases later in life.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait until 40 to buy a home, especially here in Wisconsin. With the right strategy, preparation, and local expert guidance, you can get into a home years sooner than the national average.
Below are practical, real-world steps to accelerate your timeline toward homeownership.
1. Start With a Realistic Budget & a Pre-Approval
Even if you think you’re “too early,” talking to a lender months or even a year before buying sets you up for success.
Benef ...
Read More
the huemmer home team, real estate agent, lpt realty, buying a home, housing market, madison wi real estate, buying a home in wisconsin, best real estate agent, wi housing market, best realtor, top real estate agent, housing in madison, wisconsin real estate market update, buying a home in madison, home buying tip, wi real estate, credit score, first-time homebuyer age 40 united states
Monday, November 10, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
Expert analysis from The Huemmer Home Team - Your trusted Wisconsin mortgage advisors
Breaking News for Wisconsin Homebuyers: Effective November 16, 2025, Fannie Mae has eliminated its longstanding 620 minimum credit score requirement for mortgage eligibility. This landmark policy shift could open doors for thousands of Wisconsin residents who've been unfairly locked out of homeownership despite having the financial means to succeed.
Why This Changes Everything for Wisconsin Homebuyers
As mortgage experts serving communities throughout Wisconsin, The Huemmer Home Team has witnessed countless qualified borrowers denied financing simply because of a three-digit number that doesn't tell their complete financial story. This policy change finally acknowledges what we've known all along: credit scores don't capture the full picture of a borrower's ability to repay a mortgage.
The Real Stories Behind Low Credit Scores
1. Building Credit From Scratch
Many responsible Wisconsin ...
Read More
the huemmer home team, real estate agent, lpt realty, housing market, buying a home in wisconsin, wi housing market, best realtor, top real estate agent, mortgage rates, credit score, fannie mae eliminates 620 credit score minimum: what wisconsin homebuyers need to know
Thursday, September 21, 2023 / by Ryan Huemmer
Top 7 Things to Consider When Shopping for a Mortgage to Purchase a Home
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. To ensure you get the best deal on your mortgage, it's crucial to carefully consider various factors before committing to one. Here are the top seven things to keep in mind when shopping for a mortgage to purchase your dream home:
Credit Score Matters: Your credit score plays a pivotal role in the interest rate you'll be offered. A higher credit score can qualify you for lower interest rates and fees, potentially saving you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Before shopping for a home, it's crucial you visit with a mortgage lender to understand the terms of a mortgage and payment options.
Fixed vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Decide between a fixed-rate and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Fixed-rate mortgages offer stability with consistent monthly payments, while ARMs typically start with lower rates but can am ...
Read More
the huemmer home team, re/max, wi, realtor, real estate agent, amber huemmer, 6082795424, madisonareahomesforsale.com, buying a home, credit score, mortgage rates
Thursday, December 17, 2020 / by Ryan Huemmer
Want to buy a home……...you need to know your credit score.
Credit scores range from 300 to 850.
There are some free websites available where you can monitor and view your credit score.
www.AnnualCreditReport.com
www.Nerdwallet.com
www.CreditSesame.com
www.CreditKarma.com
Credit Karma offers an updated score every week and it doesn’t affect your credit score or count as an inquiry. You can see all your accounts and balances plus you can set-up alerts when there is a change to your credit profile. Like a new account.
Your credit score is a snapshot of your borrowing history and it’s truly the first indicator used to see what type of loan programs you qualify for.
Your score is built on 5 categories:
1. Payment History
2. Credit Utilization - meaning balance vs available credit limit
3. Length of Credit History
4. Credit Types - student loans, credit cards, car loans, mortgages
5. Recent Inquiries
You need a borrowing history in; ...
Read More
realtor, the huemmer home team, wi, amber huemmer, real estate agent, 6082795424, madison, buying a home, madisonareahomesforsale.com, credit score
Monday, February 3, 2020 / by Ryan Huemmer
Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind the popular FICO credit score, announced the launch of its latest FICO 10 model on Jan. 23, that will start incorporating consumers’ debt levels into their scoring model.
Amber uses Credit Karma to monitor her accounts and score........it's FREE!
This comes as total household debt in the U.S. is on the rise and currently sits at about $13.95 trillion as of the end of 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That’s higher than the previous high of $12.68 trillion seen right before the 2008 financial crisis.
Those who fall behind on their loan payments, they are more likely to see a drop in their score. FICO also plans to flag consumers who sign up for personal loans, which are generally considered more risky since these are unsecured and typically do not require collateral like a car or a house.
The new scoring model will also likely create a wider gap between those who are considered good credit risk vs credit m ...
Read More
home for sale, madison, realtor, wi, amber huemmer, re/max, the huemmer home team, madisonareahomesforsale.com, cottage grove, real estate agent, buying a home, selling a home, credit score
