Most homebuyers, even those just starting their first-time homeowner journey, have learned a thing or two about 30-year mortgages. For example, some 30-year mortgages will let you pay the mortgage down earlier than 30-years, while others may fix a prepayment penalty to that plan to make up the loss in revenue from the interest rate. But what about...

If you have a VA loan, the U.S. government has options in place to assist you in case of financial hardship. There are multiple programs available to help you avoid late payments and foreclosure if your mortgage meets eligibility. Here are the major veteran mortgage relief options to know: Refund Modification A refund modification affects the principal and...

Image by Charles 🇵🇭 from Unsplash Part of buying a home is researching the market and your finances. Most lenders require you to put at least 20 percent down or pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). Since PMI is a cost that does not lower your interest rate or principal, it’s almost always better to save up that hefty...

Photo by Anthony Shkraba from Pexels Building your new home should be a rewarding experience, but it's important to know how the financing for a new construction is different from the financing for a previously owned home. You will need a specific type of loan called new construction loans, and they can be harder to get than a...

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay It's easy to think that investing in real estate is an incredibly expensive venture. You may think you need thousands if not tens of thousands saved before you can even think about it. But there are ways to jumpstart your portfolio even if you're renting one of the cheapest apartments in your neighborhood....

Image by Tierra Mallorca from Unsplash One of the most important things to check once you decide to start the home-buying process is your credit score. The three major credit bureaus keep track of how you pay for your credit and how much credit you have. Your score fluctuates, sometimes daily, depending on how much you owe and...

Photo by Precondo via Pixabay Some mortgage companies offer loans with points. In a nutshell, paying points means paying down the interest rate. One point is equal to 1 percent of the mortgage amount. On a $200,000 mortgage, one point is $2,000. The percentage the interest rate lowers depends on the mortgage company and the market. For example,...

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay When you're considering buying real estate as an investment, it's a good idea to weigh the pros and cons. That's especially important with "subject-to" real estate, because there can be risks and rewards with this type of property that are different from traditional purchases. Here's what you should be considering, before you...

If you are looking to get a new loan, especially for a mortgage, a bank or your lending institution will review and approve or decline your application based on the information you provide. That said, there is certain information that prospective lenders consider carefully when they examine your application for a home loan. This article is all about...