Step By Step Guide To Getting Your Credit Ready For A Mortgage

Young confident man in stylish suit using smartphone while sitting on steps outside with laptop

Did you know that you could save thousands of dollars if you prepare your credit before applying for a mortgage? Your credit score is one of the most critical factors that determine your mortgage interest rate and which home loan program you qualify for. This week’s article will show you how you can get your […]

Learn The Difference Between A Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC

Savings finances concept. Shocked ginger woman focused at document studies bills reads banking paper

HELOCs and home equity loans are loans where you use your home as collateral. Both are good options for borrowing money if you’ve paid a significant portion of your mortgage. Some homeowners think that these two are similar, but in reality, they are not the same. Let’s look at how these loans work and the […]

5 Mistakes Newbie Investors Make When Buying A House To Flip

Couple painting house wall

With many TV shows depicting house flippers having fun while making a profit, many investors have taken interest in the idea. In 2019 alone, 6.2% of all home sales in the U.S. were flipped homes! It sure looks easy on TV –buy a house, fix it up, put it back on the market, and make […]

How Do You Get A Mortgage For A Rental Property?

Millennial family disappointed at bad rental terms and property manager at table on house porch

Purchasing your first rental property is a big step in your real estate investor journey. Aside from choosing a potentially profitable property, you need to figure out how to finance your rental. Before sharing how to apply for an investment loan, et’s look at how a primary home mortgage differs from a rental property mortgage. […]

How Do Non-QM Loans Work?

Young female and her unemployed husband with many debts doing paperwork together in kitchen, reading

Buying a home is part of the American dream, but what if you don’t qualify through traditional means? This is an issue that self-employed and other non-W2 workers often face since their proof of income and employment differs from what lenders typically require. The good news is that those who don’t meet the criteria for […]

What Are The Closing Costs For A VA Loan?

Young woman using laptop computer at home.

As with any type of mortgage, VA loans have fees associated with getting the loan. These fees are often called “closing costs,” and they are paid to the lender for services rendered in creating and processing your mortgage. Note that closing costs must be settled before the loan can close and the funds distributed. How […]

How Does A Mortgage Underwriter Verify Income?

Entrepreneurs in Meeting

The mortgage underwriting process is essential to verify income and ultimately determine whether the loan is approved or not. In addition to examining your income, the underwriter will also dive into significant events such as recently graduating from school, switching careers, or starting a new business. Because the amount of money being loaned is substantial, […]

How To Spot A Reverse Mortgage Scam

Reverse Mortgage home loan banking concept flat lay

Reverse mortgages have helped countless senior homeowners convert a portion of their home equity into much-needed cash to provide added income during retirement. This type of loan offers many advantages for seniors, and it’s no surprise that many have been applying in recent years. If you think a reverse mortgage is right for you, contact […]

What’s The Minimum Credit Score For VA Home Loan Approval?

Portrait of a black afro american boy smiling next to a tree.

Through the VA home loan program, millions of veterans and service members have become homeowners. VA loans are favored for the following reasons: lower mortgage rates, no PMI required, no down payment necessary, and, to an extent, no minimum credit score requirements. While the Department of Veteran Affairs does not set a minimum credit score, […]

How To Deduct Mortgage Interest From Your Taxes

Young family couple consider mortgage loan offer, calculate interest on debt, pose against kitchen i

Did you know that owning property has tax incentives as a “mortgage interest deduction?” This article will outline what a mortgage interest deduction is, its limits, and how to include this deduction in your taxes. What counts as a “Mortgage Interest Deduction”? The mortgage interest deduction is a portion of your itemized tax deductions –the […]