Author

Andrew Tavin, Personal Finance Writer

Andrew Tavin is a personal finance writer who covers a wide-range of financial topics from home lending to personal loans. His work has been published across several personal finance sites, including Own Up, OppU, and Discover.

Tavin’s experience as a comedian lends an approachable and entertaining angle to his content, making his articles easy to understand and jargon-free. He has created educational and humorous content for a variety of media outlets such as BrainPOP and the National Retail Federation. His work has also been cited by Wikipedia, Crunchbase, and Hacker News.

Tavin is a Certified Financial Education Instructor through the National Financial Educators Council. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in TV Writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Articles by Andrew Tavin

Mortgage Advisors

How To Get Lower VA Loan Rates

Find practical steps to lower your VA loan rate—shop lenders, improve credit and DTI, understand loan types, and consider a larger down payment.

First Home Loan

Mortgage Down Payment: What It Is And How Much To Save

Know how much to save for a mortgage down payment, explore low‑down options (FHA/VA/USDA), and learn how to choose the right amount for your budget.

First Home Loan

When is the Best Time to Buy a House?

Decoding the housing market can be challenging when inventory is low and prices are high. On that note: Is there a preferred time to buy?

First Home Loan

How to Buy a House Without a Realtor

Skip the agent? Understand risks, potential savings, key steps, and when to hire a real estate attorney to protect your purchase.

First Home Loan

How To Buy a House With a Lien

Buying a home with a lien? See which liens matter, who pays, and steps to clear or negotiate them so you can close with confidence.

First Home Loan

8 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid 8 common first-time homebuyer mistakes—budget, check credit, get pre-approved and spot hidden costs—to protect your finances and boost approval odds.

First Home Loan

How To Find Your Dream Home: A Practical Guide

Practical steps to plan and afford your dream home - budget, down payment, pre-approval, neighborhood choice and feature priorities to guide your search.

First Home Loan

Purchase and Sale Agreement: What Buyers Need to Know

Understand Purchase & Sale agreements: key terms, common contingencies, and how they protect your rights so you can buy your home with confidence.

First Home Loan

Buying a House Checklist: 11 Steps to Homeownership

An 11-step homebuying checklist that guides you from financial checkup and mortgage pre-approval to inspection and closing—buy smarter, avoid surprises.

First Home Loan

New Home Checklist: Essential Items to Buy

An essential new-home shopping checklist: moving must-haves, safety gear, cleaning supplies, toolkit, kitchen & bathroom items to help you settle in.