Buying a home sprouts so many questions about the mortgage process. Discover the answers to the most frequent questions homebuyers ask, like how to verify assets for lenders, what documentation is needed when applying for a mortgage, and more with our mortgage FAQ’s articles.
Buying in a Volatile Housing Market Buying a home is a significant financial move for anyone, especially a first-time buyer. And if that fact didn’t make the home-buying process daunting enough, the media’s coverage of constant changes in the housing market — such as volatile home prices and interest rates — seems like it often […]
What to Know About 5/1 and 5/6 ARM Loans Elevated home prices and rising interest rates have renewed interest in home loans that can lower monthly mortgage payments, like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM). If you’re shopping for a home, you owe it to yourself to understand this mortgage option. The most common type of these adjustable-rate […]
Rising home values in 2022 and into 2023 have contributed to overall market volatility and made it more challenging to be a buyer. But this real estate market has proven to be a boon to many homeowners who are content to stay put. That’s because higher home values mean they have more equity than ever. […]
Anyone shopping for a home in 2023 faces an unfortunate truth: Mortgage interest rates have risen over the past year. And when interest rates rise, so do the total costs of buying and owning a home. Housing market pundits often point out that mortgage rates are still historically low even with this recent rise. The […]
For some prospective homebuyers, rising interest rates might make it feel like the dream of homeownership is slipping away. The good news is that even in a high-rate environment, you have multiple strategies to help you lower your interest rate or the total cost of your loan. One such strategy is the mortgage buydown. Mortgage […]
Saving up tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment can be a daunting challenge, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. That’s why a significant monetary gift from a generous family member can be a game changer when you’re working out the finances of buying a home. However, when using gifts for a down […]
Conventional mortgages make up most of all home loans in the U.S., and it’s the one most borrowers think of when they think of mortgages. It’s what you might think of as a traditional, garden-variety mortgage, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its strengths – there are a lot of benefits to this type […]
Let’s give credit where it’s due – to you. You’re here because you’re looking into how your credit score affects your ability to buy or refinance a home and to understand how your credit can impact the rates you’re offered. You likely know that your credit score matters and it is one of the primary […]
“How do home appraisals work?” may not be on everyone’s list of burning questions, but if you’re buying, selling or refinancing a house, it should be on yours. And there’s a whole host of questions that goes along with that one, from what you can expect to how much it costs to what’s in that […]
You’re ready to purchase a home and step into a new chapter of your life. Or maybe you’re ready to refinance, which also means a new chapter. You could save money on your mortgage every month and then take cash out to pay off credit card debt, afford a new home renovation or go on […]
