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Understanding Closing Costs
In addition to your down payment, there are other costs that you will incur as you purchase a home. Your closing costs, for example, are expenses you should be prepared for before you buy a house. Closing costs are paid during your real estate closing, the final step...
A Guide to Basic Mortgage Terminology
Buying a home, especially for the first time, can feel like a complicated process. If you are new to residential lending and looking to secure a loan for an upcoming home purchase, you may encounter some mortgage jargon that is unfamiliar to you. Though it may seem...
How Long Does the Home Buying Process Take?
Homeownership is a significant milestone, and there are several steps homebuyers must take before they're handed the keys to their dream home. Of course, the exact timeline of the home buying process can vary and depends on your unique financial situation and how long...
15-Year and 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages: What’s the Difference?
When financing your home, one of the most important things you'll need to consider is the length of your mortgage term. Your mortgage term is the number of years you'll have to pay off your mortgage, with most terms lasting somewhere between 15 and 30 years. The...
What Does My Mortgage Payment Cover?
One of the most crucial steps of the home-buying process is to evaluate just how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford. First-time homebuyers may be surprised to learn that their monthly mortgage payment might not just cover paying back their mortgage...
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Purchasing your first home is a momentous achievement and has long been considered a staple of the American dream. There are several benefits to owning your own home: saving money on monthly rent, building your credit, and tax benefits are just a few. However, while...
Are You Eligible for a Mortgage Loan?
If you are looking to buy a home, you will likely need to apply for a mortgage first. While many financing options are available for homebuyers, nearly all lenders require borrowers to meet specific criteria before agreeing to loan the money needed to purchase a home....
Can You Buy a Home if Your Credit Score is Bad?
Your credit score, also called your FICO score, indicates how likely you are to repay your debt. Most mortgage companies will look at this score to determine your interest rates and to see what product types are available to you. But don’t fret –– even if your credit...
What Are USDA Loans?
Since 1991, USDA loans have been helping low-to-average income Americans buy homes in rural areas. These loans are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of its Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan program. There are three types of USDA loans that...
VA Home Loan Requirements
Are you an active-duty service member or veteran looking to purchase a home? VA home loans are designed to help military personnel, veterans and certain other groups become homeowners at an affordable cost. VA loans are one of the most desirable loan programs...
5 Ways to Secure a Lower Mortgage Refinance Rate
Since 2020, mortgage rates have been at historical lows, and it doesn’t look like they will be on the rise anytime soon! If you're a homeowner looking to refinance, now is the perfect time to secure the best mortgage rate. Getting the best rate on a mortgage refinance...
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Home In 2021?
Are you wondering when the best time is to purchase a house this year? Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or not, we can help you navigate through the uncertainties of purchasing a home in 2021. As we saw in 2020, the mortgage rates were historically low. Because...