How to Protect Personal Information When Applying for a Mortgage

Shopping for a mortgage, especially if it’s your first time, can be exciting. It’s finally time to take the steps needed to purchase a home, so you may start looking into as many lenders as possible to get the ideal loan. When you’re looking it’s vital you pay attention to who you’re giving personal information […]

How to Save the Down Payment for a House

Buying a house is a big commitment, and you’ll need a down payment before you can purchase the home or obtain a loan. The bigger the down payment is, the less you’ll need to pay over time to pay off the mortgage. To save the down payment, start by determining the full amount you’ll need […]

Shop for a Mortgage Without Impacting Your Credit Score

A home is likely the biggest purchase someone will make in their life, and more often than not, they’re going to need a mortgage to make the purchase. Unfortunately, shopping around for a mortgage can impact the buyer’s credit score, which can make it more difficult for them to be approved or get a good […]

What the Debt-to-Income Ratio is and How to Figure it Out

Buying a home can be a thrilling yet stressful process. For first-time homebuyers, there are a lot of new terms to understand before they start looking at homes to buy. One of the most important terms is the DTI or debt-to-income ratio. This number helps mortgage lenders determine if they’re going to offer a loan […]

Is it the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

Right now, a lot of homeowners and investors are talking about refinancing. But, how do you know if this is actually a good option? Not only do homeowners need to think about whether it’s the right time to refinance, but if refinancing is actually a good idea for them. There is a lot to think […]

Everything You Should Know About Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages are a special type of loan based on the equity of the home. Instead of getting money from a lender and making regular payments, the lender provides cash based on the home’s equity and records a lien against the property. The money does not need to be repaid as long as you live […]

Ways to Improve Your Credit Score to Purchase a Home

Purchasing a home with a mortgage requires a good credit score. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for a credit score to be lower than expected. If you’re planning on purchasing a home in the next few months, take the time to learn more about the impact your credit score will have and how you can […]

Understanding Home Buying Lingo and Terminology

No matter if someone has bought a home before or they’re looking for their first home, the terminology used can be confusing. There is a lot of lingo that’s specific to real estate, so it can seem like a real estate agent, or mortgage broker is almost speaking another language when they use these terms. […]

What You Need to Know About Refinance Loans

There’s a lot of talk about refinancing homes right now with all-time low interest rates. Refinancing can be an excellent option if you’d like to take advantage of the lower interest rates or for other reasons. However, it is important to look into refinancing carefully before jumping in and applying. If you’re considering a refinance […]

No Contact House Hunting

The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically changed the way society works but staying safe and healthy does not have to mean living with a less-than-perfect house. Like most sectors of the economy, the real estate sector has made some changes to facilitate virtual, no contact buying. Aspiring homebuyers may already have noticed an increase in listings […]