Mortgage
Keep up with mortgage trends and learn about mortgage tips and tricks in order to be an informed and competitive buyer in the real estate market.
Home Equity Line of Credit Requirements Checklist
How Does a Home Equity Line of Credit Work? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit that allows homeowners to borrow against their home’s equity as needed. Unlike a traditional loan, it provides ongoing access to funds during a draw period, followed by a repayment phase. While HELOCs typically...
The Housing Market Under Trump: What to Expect
For many potential home buyers who delayed their purchasing decisions until after the election results, unders...
Second Mortgage vs Home Equity Loan
Let’s break down the differences between a home equity loan vs second mortgage and also explore when a HELOC...
Pros and Cons of Home Equity Loans
How a Home Equity Loan Works A home equity loan lets you borrow money by using your home’s equity as col...
Can You Refinance a Home Equity Loan?
Can I Refinance a Home Equity Loan? Yes, you can refinance a home equity loan (HELOAN). A HELOAN is a type of loan that lets you borrow a lump sum of money based on the equity you’ve built in your home. A home equity loan typically has a fixed interest rate and predictable monthly payments....
Home Equity Loan Requirements: What Is Needed to Qualify?
How Do Home Equity Loans and HELOCs Work? Before diving into specific requirements, it’s important to un...
Can You Refinance a Reverse Mortgage?
Why Refinance Your Reverse Mortgage? There are several compelling reasons that make a reverse mortgage refinan...
What Affects Mortgage Rates?
How Are Mortgage Rates Determined? What determines mortgage rates is a complex interplay of market forces, eco...
Mortgage Terms Glossary
2/1 buydown: A 2/1 buydown mortgage is a financing option that offers a temporarily reduced rate. Borrowers pay a 2% reduced rate the first year and a 1% reduced rate the second year before the loan adjusts to its regular interest rate. Ability-to-repay rule: An aspect of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer...
Cash-Out Refinance vs HELOC
Cash-Out Refinance A cash-out refinance allows you to replace your existing mortgage with a new one for a larg...
How Much Does It Cost to Refinance a Mortgage?
Why Refinance a Mortgage? Refinancing a mortgage can offer several advantages, depending on your current finan...
When Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?
Why Refinance Your Mortgage? Refinancing your mortgage can be a strategic financial decision that helps you sa...
Home Buying FAQs
General Home Buying FAQs Why buy a home? Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you&...
Using a Home Equity Loan for Debt Consolidation
Using your home equity to pay off debt might sound like a big step, but with the right approach it can give yo...
What Is a Hard Money Loan? A Guide to Hard Money Lending
But what is a hard money lender? Hard money lenders offer loans based primarily on the value of the property b...
Bonus Depreciation for Real Estate: What It Is & How It Works
Understanding the concept of bonus depreciation and its practical application can help you capitalize on this ...
BRRRR Method: Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, & Repeat
Read on to learn more about BRRRR loans and explore how this approach can open doors to lucrative opportunitie...
How Does Mortgage Interest Work?
First-time and even seasoned home buyers typically ask their mortgage lender many questions during the home bu...
How to Use a Self-Directed IRA for Real Estate?
Offering you the best of both worlds, a self-directed IRA for real estate, or SDIRA, offers the preferential t...
What Is High-Net-Worth Lending?
That is exactly what high-net-worth lending is. It includes a more personalized level of service that is often...
5-8 Unit Commercial Multifamily Financing
In this article, we’ll discuss 5-8 unit commercial multifamily financing, exploring the unique opportunities...
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
This insurance serves as a safety net, offering financial protection in the face of unforeseen events that cou...
How to Finance an ADU: 5 ADU Loan Options
With the right ADU loan, you can build the kind of ADU you want and start earning passive income. In this arti...
Prepayment Penalty on a Mortgage: What to Know
One significant hurdle that borrowers may encounter is a prepayment penalty, which is a fee that’s triggered...
Contingent vs Pending: Key Differences Explained
Knowing the differences between contingent vs. pending is crucial, as it can help you understand how close a p...
Origination Fee: What Is a Mortgage Origination Fee?
So, what is an origination fee? In this article, we’ll discuss what a mortgage origination fee is, how it im...
Why Should I Buy a House?
Beyond the practical necessity of having a place to call home, purchasing real estate is often viewed as a sym...
Refinance an Investment Property: What to Know
In this article, we’ll discuss the key benefits and considerations associated with refinancing an invest...
What Is an Assumable Mortgage? Assumable Loans Explained
An assumable mortgage is when the buyer takes over, or “assumes”, the seller’s home loan. Some considera...
1031 Exchanges: Definition, Rules, & What to Know
So what is a 1031 exchange in real estate? While the concept of a 1031 exchange might sound appealing, its int...
Types of Real Estate Investments: Residential, Commercial, and More
For the new investor, the variety of real estate investment options can be overwhelming. Residential propertie...
15 Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender
Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people make in their lifetimes. With...
How Does a Home Equity Loan Work?
One of the most popular ways to access your home equity is to use a home equity loan (HELOAN). Home equity loa...
Tax Haven: 9 States With No Income Tax
Many corporations and individuals strive to maximize their money by avoiding paying local and federal taxes. A...
Short-Term Mortgages
The right mortgage program can help you save money while paying off your debt. While 30-year mortgages are the...
Is Refinancing for Home Improvements Worth It?
Your home isn’t just where you live—it’s an investment. As with any asset, the goal is to enhance its va...
Can You Refinance an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loan?
The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is characterized by its variable interest rates that shift with market cond...
Average Home Appreciation Per Year: Understanding Appreciation in Real Estate
When considering homeownership, many people think beyond the immediate shelter and security of a home and lean...
When Is Your First Mortgage Payment Due?
Understanding your mortgage can be challenging, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. Among the ...
Fair Market Value (FMV) Explained
When buying or selling a house, you’ll often hear the term “fair market value” or FMV. This ...
Dry Funding States: What Is Dry Funding & Where Is It Legal?
How funds are handled in real estate transactions varies based on various factors, including location. Underst...
Understanding Notice of Default: How to Respond to a Default Notice
Homeownership is a significant investment. Like all major financial commitments, you’ll have several res...
Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons
A reverse mortgage allows homeowners over the age of 62 to leverage their home’s equity without selling ...
How to Buy a House Without a Realtor
For many, the home-buying journey is accompanied by a realtor who acts as a guide, offering expertise on marke...
Understanding Mortgage Forbearance
When unexpected events happen, homeowners might face difficulties in making regular mortgage payments. One too...
The Four Types of Non-U.S. Citizen Mortgage Loans
Navigating the world of mortgages can be complex, especially if you’re a non-U.S. citizen looking to pur...
Qualifying for a Mortgage: What You Need to Know
Homeownership is a dream for many, symbolizing stability, investment, and the creation of lasting memories. Ho...
How to Buy and Sell Houses at the Same Time
Buying and selling a house at the same time is a delicate balancing act that requires impeccable timing, strat...
What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?
Finding the right lender and loan program can be a daunting experience for home buyers. A mortgage broker who ...
Freddie Mac vs. Fannie Mae: Key Differences Explained
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored entities (GSEs) that play pivotal roles in maintaining the...
Understanding Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate and Property Sales
When you sell your property, you’ll be subject to various tax implications. A capital gain is the rise in va...
How to Beat A Cash Offer on A House: 7 Strategies for Homebuyers
Cash offers are often seen as the gold standard in a competitive housing market, as they typically mean fewer ...
Are Home Warranties Worth It?
Every homeowner knows the peace of mind that comes with insuring their property. However, beyond the typical h...
Easement by Prescription: What Is It & How Does It Affect You?
When you apply for a home loan, lenders do a title search to uncover issues with the title, including liens an...
Mortgage Rate Lock Extension Fees Explained
A home is the largest investment many people make in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, the mortgage process can ...
Understanding APR vs. Interest Rate
For borrowers, understanding the distinctions between APR vs. interest rate can mean the difference between se...
House Titles: The Ultimate Guide
Being a property owner comes with many responsibilities and documents. One concept people misunderstand is the...
What Happens to Your Mortgage When You Die?
When someone passes away, their family is typically responsible for tying up their loose ends, which may mean ...
House Hunting Tips and Shopping Guide
Finding a new home to purchase is a monumental step in anyone’s life. Anticipation, excitement, and a little...
Appraisal Gaps: What You Need to Know as a Home Buyer
Understanding various terminologies and processes that can affect your mortgage loan can significantly influen...
Foreclosure Definition & How to Avoid It: A Complete Guide
While homeownership has many benefits, homeowners must realize that investing in property always carries risks...
Underwater Mortgage: What It Is and How to Deal With It
Understanding the housing market can be challenging for anyone, including homeowners. An underwater mortgage i...
Blended Rate Calculator
Our blended interest rate calculator is designed to take the guesswork out of the equation. With this calculat...
401(k) Withdrawal for Home Purchase
Saving for a down payment and being able to prove your ability to repay a home loan can be challenging, especi...
How to Buy a House With Low Income
Are you wondering how to buy a house with low income? Buying a house with a low income can be a significant ch...
How to Increase Your Mortgage Pre-Approval Amount
Getting pre-approved is the first step to homeownership. A pre-approval letter demonstrates that you qualify f...
What Is the Adjusted Basis of a Rental Property?
The adjusted basis in real estate is one of the most important metrics for calculating your tax burden. It’s...
Conventional Loan Requirements
Conventional loans are the most common type of mortgage product. Unfortunately, they can be more difficult to ...
How to Make a Cash Offer on a House
If you are looking to forgo a traditional mortgage, it is possible to become a cash home buyer if you have the...
How Long is a Pre-Approval Good For?
A mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps you should take after making the decision to buy a home. Obt...
What Is Tappable Equity?
For many, a home is the most significant investment they’ll make. But what’s the point of investin...
What Are the 3 Types of Reverse Mortgages?
With a reverse mortgage, you can grow your income with a loan you don’t have to repay until you sell the...
MCA Loans: Understanding How a Merchant Cash Advance Works
While there may be times where a merchant cash advance can help you get quick cash to cover a shortfall or tak...
No Doc Home Equity Loans: A Guide to No Doc HELOCs & HELOANs
A home equity loan can help you tap into your home’s equity to consolidate debt and free up your cash flow....
Can You Sell a House With a Mortgage?
If you already have equity in your home but you need to relocate or are interested in purchasing a new home, y...
How Much Are Closing Costs?
Buying a home is still a huge part of the American dream. Nevertheless, to achieve this goal, your actions mus...
How Long Does It Take to Refinance a House?
You can refinance your mortgage to fund home improvements, pay college tuition, or accomplish other financial ...
What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House?
Are you thinking about purchasing a house in the near future? If so, you have probably heard that there are a ...
Mortgage Pre-Approval: What You Need to Know
When shopping for a house, it helps to know how much you can afford to spend. A mortgage pre-approval helps yo...
Are Property Taxes Deductible?
When you purchase a home, you’ll be required to pay various fees, such as homeowner’s insurance and proper...
Debt Consolidation Calculator
If you’re looking for ways to get out of debt, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with paying ...
PMI vs MIP: Key Differences Between PMI vs MIP Explained
A home is often one of the most significant purchases you’ll ever make. Unfortunately, not everyone real...
Tax Benefits of Real Estate Investing
Investing in real estate can help you build wealth over time while expanding your portfolio with new opportuni...
USDA Loan Pros and Cons
Homeownership can be expensive, but with the right mortgage, you can save thousands of dollars over the life o...
What Is APR on a Loan?
Taking out a loan costs money. When you take out a loan, you’ll see various terms on your paperwork that...
Does Forbearance Affect Getting a New Mortgage?
Many people entered a forbearance program during COVID-19 that allowed them to remain in their homes without w...
Home Equity Line of Credit
Leveraging the equity you’ve built up in your home can help you pay for large expenses at a lower intere...
How to Calculate ROI on a Rental Property
Investing in rental property can help you grow your wealth, but it also comes with a different set of responsi...
Can You Buy a House With No Money Down?
Most people need mortgages to be able to afford to purchase a home, but you might know that with many home loa...
Real Estate Investing for Beginners
Investing in real estate has major benefits, like growing your wealth and passively generating income without ...
How to Get a Mortgage
Most home buyers need a mortgage to afford their dream homes. Unfortunately, getting a mortgage for the first ...
Second Mortgage vs Refinance
With a second mortgage or refinance, you can tap into your home’s equity to increase your cash flow, pay...
What Is a Cap Rate on a Rental Property? Everything You Need to Know
If you’re self-employed, such as a real estate investor, you need to make sure that you’re generating a so...
How to Sell Your House
Having a stress-free home selling process is crucial for anyone wondering how to sell their home. Most people ...
Inflation & Housing: How Does Inflation Affect House Prices?
Rising inflation means higher home prices, but it also means that you can purchase a home for cheaper now than...
2/1 Buydown Calculator
A 2/1 buydown mortgage is a type of mortgage that allows the borrower to reduce the amount of interest paid du...
Documents Needed for Mortgage Pre-Approval
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage makes it easier for you to buy a home because the seller knows that they c...
What Do Underwriters Look for on Tax Returns?
If you have ever applied for a mortgage, you probably know that there is a tremendous amount of documentation ...
Can You Get a Mortgage Without a Job?
Being unemployed and not having a full-time job can hurt your chances of getting approved for a mortgage. That...
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Mortgage Underwriting Process
Applying for a mortgage can be confusing for first-time home buyers, but once you’ve gone through it onc...
Latest Posts on the Blog
Home Equity Line of Credit Requirements Checklist
How Does a Home Equity Line of Credit Work? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit...
The Housing Market Under Trump: What to Expect
For many potential home buyers who delayed their purchasing decisions until after the election results, unders...
VA Loan Affordability Calculator: How Much House Can You Afford With a VA Loan?
Factors That Impact VA Loan Affordability Understanding the key factors that influence VA loan a...