This feature is a real estate news and information roundup from a millennial’s point of view. When a young professional moves from Indianapolis (median home price $125K) to San Francisco (median price $1 million), you can expect an adventure. Nneka Madus, an analyst in Bank of the West’s Mortgage Division, did just that and has plenty to share in her quest to own a home in San Francisco.

^[1]One way to lure millennials back into the housing market might be to cut down on the amount we need to pay for a mortgage. Maybe then we’ll start trickling in. Daniel Goldstein gives you the scoop in this MarketWatch article ^[2] on a change that may be doing just that. Earlier this year, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reduced mortgage insurance premiums on its loans. That means long-term savings for homebuyers with FHA loans, since mortgage insurance premiums are required for the life of an FHA loan. Data in the MarketWatch report suggests that this reduction in mortgage insurance premiums is helping spur homebuying activity among millennials and other first time homebuyers.

Walking into negotiations can be scary — whether you’re asking for a raise, haggling over the sales price of a car, or purchasing a home. But being prepared is one way to help you get a better deal. In this Huffington Post blog ^[3], Scott Yancey has listed some great tips for homebuyers, particularly first-timers, to help get the best deal for their home. Scott’s advice can be boiled down to two things: Shop around and run the numbers. Don’t count on your real estate agent to do your homework for you.

Cracks in the walls, uneven floors, and mold: These are things homebuyers are commonly told to watch out for while at an open house. What about the rest of the house? You may be purchasing a home, but you’re also inheriting the surrounding neighborhood. Morgan Quinn from Gobankingrates.com ^[4] gives homebuyers a sneak peek on oft-missed things to look for during an open house.