One Thing to Know About the USDA Mortgage Loan: Take a Look at Your Income

Don't get us wrong, though: the USDA mortgage is quite the secret in the real estate market. Just check this article out for yourself. If there was a way for someone to get a home loan approval fast and easy, it would be the USDA. But there are certain guidelines to keep in mind.

Keep an Eye on Your Income and Your Debt

It's called the debt-to-income ratio. How much debt do you have? Is it ruining your credit? Do you need Lexington Law or Independent Credit Solutions to help you through those muddy waters? Good. Do it. But bear in mind that if the debt, plus the mortgage amount, just happens to be over 31% of your actual monthly income, the specific loan might be a no for you.

The VA program, another mortgage program out there, sticks to the similar rule: 41% is their measuring stick. Jumbo mortgage loans, the conventional ones, however, tend to stick to lower ratios overall given the assumption that when you take out a home loan, you're entrusted to pay it every month despite whatever debt you already have.

And That's What the Mortgage Guideline Is For:

It's to protect you from buying a home that might be too expensive. When debt continues to drown you out, foreclosure commences. That's something this real estate market won't want given the growth we're seeing in down payment averages and home prices.

So what should you do? Get on the right path, and without a doubt, the USDA mortgage loan might be your best bet, because it has plenty of benefits! Clean up your debt. Fix your credit. Sign up with the HOPE Program.

What Kind of Mortgage Down Payment Are You Looking For? It Might Depend on the State You're In!

They're called mortgage trends, friends. Do the research here. Of course, we're noticing that there's one major trend going on in the real estate market, and that's the higher down payment, but perhaps you might want to stick with something lower. That's okay. Want to know why?

You Have a Budget, and While Down Payments All Over Are Increasing, Some States Are Still Lower Than Others

It, therefore, would be a good idea to take a good look at which states are averaging higher (or lower). We know that there are undoubtedly good reasons for offering that higher down payment for a home purchase. But if the budget's not there, what do you do? Expand your possibilities to the states that do match your bottom line, right here:

These States Reported the Lowest Down Payment Averages in the U.S.

• Indiana -- The Crossroads of America has the highest of the low averages.... Want to know how low?
• Utah -- Utah isn't high up there either. Check it out right here.
• Kentucky -- Now we're getting a bit higher on that average, but would you like to know just what you're dealing with in the Derby state?
• Iowa -- We're sitting level with this state's down payment average, so if Kentucky's not your state, you can check this one out here.
• West Virginia -- Little by little, that down payment average-to-house-price ratio's getting more interested. Just take a look at this state!
• Alabama -- Forrest Gump would've loved this ratio and average on home prices and down payments. Check out these numbers....
• Mississippi -- And here we have the lowest of the lows.... But just remember: that may be a good thing!

What About the States With the Highest Down Payment Average?

• Vermont -- We'll jump almost 5% from Mississippi's average down payment with Vermont. Want to know just how much you'll spend on a down payment for a house here?
• Massachusetts -- The average home prices play a role here with the average down payment here. Just keep that in mind!
• Washington D.C. -- We're getting pricier and pricier with this down payment percentage.
• Hawaii -- You'll hula over this percentage on down payments for home purchases.
• New Jersey -- And we're still climbing up the ladder with down payment percentages here. This could be what you'll spend for a payment....
• California -- Did you know that the state here has been leading on home prices (and most likely will continue to lead)? That should tell you a lot about what kind of down payment you might be making for a house over there.
• New York -- Still, none of these states can beat this top leader. Here's the skinny on the down payment average for a home in the Big Apple.

The Question Is This: Where Do You Want to Live?

Don't you just love all this information? Hopefully this will help you in the decision you need to make. You need a home, right? Sign up today and get started with finding the right home in the right state for you.

Pride in the Midwest: Why the Real Estate Market's Looking Up

Good news for all! It looks like the national real estate market is ready for an upswing of home prices due to low inventory, and every single state will be feeling it very, very soon. Yes, this does include the Midwestern states we all love so dearly. The crossroads of America. The Mitten. The Windy City. You name it.

Each of these states will be a pretty good place to sell a home with optimal returns. So if you live in any of these states, and you're planning on selling your home somewhere in these corn fields, take a look at the home prices first and see if you should plan ahead for pricing that home on the higher end of the big bucks!

Take One Look Here at the Entire Midwest and See for Yourself

There are a lot of states here; and all of them will be seeing that home price increase. So be prepared. This real estate market's going to explode....

• Texas -- Rattlesnake country, the Lonestar state, deep in the heart here is some pretty steady increases with this percentage.
• Oklahoma -- But OK will be skyrocketing! Want to know just how high? See for yourself.
• Kansas -- There's no place like home here with this percentage for an increase in home prices.
• Nebraska -- Amazingly enough, Nebraska is right on par with Kansas, too. Talk about consistency....
• South Dakota -- Even SD's better with their percentage, so if you have a home here, better wait for the comparables to sell here.
• North Dakota -- Look at that.... Another state that's scarily consistent with the others here so far. Want to know what that percentage is?
• Minnesota -- Selling houses up here isn't going to lose much investment either (you'll probably get some ROI, to be honest).
• Iowa -- Now that's what we're talking about. This state's even better than Oklahoma for home sellers!
• Missouri -- Nothing but smooth sailing for home sellers here with this percentage.
• Arkansas -- Simply lovely. You're seeing the pattern here, aren't you? It's looking good in the Midwest for home selling.
• Louisiana -- And what about here? Not too shabby. Decent percentage!
• Mississippi -- Mark Twain would actually be proud of this boost in the home selling market.
• Illinois -- You can't beat Illinois' numbers here. Chicago. Springfield. It doesn't matter.
• Wisconsin -- And the cheese state will be killing it like the Packers (hopefully).
• Michigan -- Lakes, hills, and crazy weather.... And yet we can cheer for the Mitten with this percentage!
• Ohio -- We're so not lying here. Every state here will be seeing a home price increase according to CoreLogic. Check out Ohio's percentage right here.
• Indiana -- The state may be the "crossroads," but many might stop here to buy a home.
• Kentucky -- Talk about a derby.... You might as well have every state here compete with the highest percentage, and Kentucky's undoubtedly a contender.
• Tennessee -- We're close to the end here, and we're still seeing some decent numbers with this state....
• Alabama -- What a way to close out the Midwest growth with this percentage....

Pretty Serious With These Numbers....

And this is the heartland of America, so you know real estate's not exactly a bread and butter, but a golden gem. So if this golden gem's getting bigger, then it's for sure -- our real estate market's looking up!