Residential real estate refers to properties used for living purposes, including single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and multi-family units. These properties are zoned for residential use, meaning they are designed for people to live in rather than for commercial or industrial purposes.

A single-family home is a standalone property designed to house one family, whereas a multi-family home consists of two or more separate living units within the same building, such as duplexes, triplexes, or apartment complexes, allowing multiple families to live in the same structure.

The amount you need for a down payment depends on the type of loan and your financial situation. A conventional mortgage typically requires a 20% down payment, but some loans, like FHA loans, allow for as little as 3.5%. There are also programs available that offer down payment assistance for qualified buyers.

Closing costs are fees associated with finalizing a home purchase, including loan origination fees, title insurance, property taxes, attorney fees, and inspection fees. Typically, closing costs range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price, and they are paid at the time of closing the transaction.

To improve your credit score before buying a property, regularly check your credit report for errors, consistently pay your bills on time, reduce credit card balances to maintain a credit utilization ratio below 30%, avoid taking on new debt, request credit limit increases, keep old accounts open, diversify your credit mix, consider becoming an authorized user on a responsible person's credit card, settle any collections, limit hard inquiries, explore credit-builder loans if you have a limited credit history, and monitor your credit regularly to track your progress.

First-time homebuyers can take advantage of various programs such as FHA loans with down payments as low as 3.5% and lenient credit requirements, USDA loans for rural properties with income limits, VA loans for eligible veterans with zero down payment, state and local first-time homebuyer programs offering down payment assistance, HomeReady and Home Possible loans with low down payment options for low to moderate-income borrowers, the Good Neighbor Next Door program providing discounts for certain professionals, and down payment assistance programs, typically requiring a good credit score, proof of income, completion of homebuyer education, and eligibility criteria specific to each program.

Investing in real estate offers numerous benefits, including the potential for steady cash flow through rental income, appreciation in property value over time, tax advantages such as deductions for mortgage interest and property depreciation, the ability to leverage investments with financing, diversification of an investment portfolio, protection against inflation, and the opportunity for hands-on management and control over the investment process.

When buying an investment property, you should look for factors such as location and neighborhood desirability, property condition and potential for renovations, cash flow potential and rental income, local market trends and property appreciation, financing options and costs, the property's tax implications, and the presence of good property management options or your ability to manage the property effectively.