Securing the right house is only the first hurdle in the home-buying process. The subsequent challenge involves choosing the ideal type of mortgage that best aligns...
Home sellers have been in the real estate driver’s seat for some time since there was more demand for homes than homes available to buy. However,...
If you’ve never owned a house, or haven’t owned one in three years, a new Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) mortgage discount program, launched in late...
Many homeowners refinance their mortgages to free up extra cash for large projects. However, before making this decision, you must understand the implications. Here’s a look...
Paying off your home can seem impossible, especially if you’ve recently been saddled with a substantial mortgage. Here are three easy tips for paying off your...
If you’re buying a home, you probably need to secure a loan. However, it’s important to shop around for one with terms and conditions that meet...
This is one time in life when your sparkling personality and good intentions don’t matter so much as the financial facts! Lenders want to know: Can...
Home prices have been rising fast. Should I apply for a preapproval that’s more than I think I need? There’s no question we’re in a hot...
If you want to buy a home, you’ll probably need to take out a mortgage. Here are some tips to help you get approved. 1. Improve...
Is your new year’s resolution to buy a new home? If so, here’s how to make good on this promise. Establish a budget and start saving...
A bad credit score makes it hard to get a reasonable loan term, which can be a major obstacle when it comes to buying a house....
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll likely receive a fair amount of advice. Though all of it is likely to be well-intentioned, not all...
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is required when you buy a house using a conventional loan and make a downpayment that’s less than 20 percent of...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains what you should know about mortgage forbearance. A number of state and federal protections for homeowners have been put...
Saving up for a 20 percent down payment, while preferred, isn’t always the best strategy for buying a home. Here are three times you shouldn’t bother...
Mortgage rates are on the rise for the first time in years, with 15-year rates expected to rise from 3.9 percent last year to 4.4...
Fixed or variable rate? It’s a question every homebuyer is faced with when obtaining a mortgage. If you’re unsure about which option is best for you,...
Junk fees are extra charges a mortgage lender tacks on when you close on a home. Paying some closing costs when finalizing a mortgage is expected....
As a parent, you would do anything for your child. But co-signing a mortgage is a major business decision, not just a family plan. I recommend...
While the terms pre-qualified and pre-approved are sometimes used interchangeably, they in fact refer to two different things. Here’s an overview of the differences between a...
I am 35 and I’ve never owned a home. Now that I am paying attention to mortgage rates, I see an increase. Should I wait —...
Fifty years ago, it was difficult for a woman to get a mortgage without a male co-signer, but today, more women than ever before are buying...
In order to obtain a mortgage, you’ll likely need to hire a professional appraiser to assess the home’s value. Lenders typically require a professional appraisal to...
I would like to take over payments on my brother’s house. The interest rate is a little bit lower than I can get now. Plus, it...
Q – I am applying for a mortgage and my local lender told me to fill out the application online. Should I feel insulted? A – ...
My wife and I have experienced some life challenges that left us with credit card debt. We are thinking of refinancing. What are our options? You...
The past few years with historic low interest rates have changed home buyers’ sense of what a normal interest rate is! Today, the still-low interest rate...
