Homebuying, mortgages, and the money decisions that come with them.
Showing 25 articles
Learn why lenders order appraisals, how an appraisal can help a buyer, and what “as-is,” “subject to repairs” and “subject to completion” mean.
Read the articleLearn how credit, card balances, down payment, loan program and discount points can influence the mortgage rate and total loan cost available to you.
Read the articleLearn what closing costs include, how they differ from a down payment, and how credits, prepaids and escrow affect the money needed at closing.
Read the articleUnderstand what clear to close means, which steps still remain, and why buyers should keep their finances steady until the loan has funded.
Read the articleLearn how mortgage credit checks may affect your score, the difference between soft and hard inquiries, and how focused rate shopping is generally treated.
Read the articleUnderstand the difference between an initial mortgage estimate and a documented preapproval, how AUS supports the review, and what lender underwriting still needs to complete.
Read the articleA practical homebuyer checklist for protecting your mortgage approval, including new credit, job changes, deposits, closing funds and document requests.
Read the articleCompare a seller credit with a price reduction using a simple side-by-side example of upfront costs, loan balance and mortgage payment tradeoffs.
Read the articleAn agent quick guide to seller concession limits for conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, including down-payment differences and credits for rate buydowns.
Read the guideLearn how negotiated seller credits could reduce cash needed at closing or help pay for a mortgage rate buydown, with a simple buyer-friendly example.
Read the articleSee which payments may affect your debt-to-income ratio, which everyday expenses generally do not, and why documentation can change the answer.
Read the articleSee how a VA loan assumption works and what sellers and buyers should know about the rate, equity, liability, and VA entitlement.
Read the articleSee how a spouse’s income, debts, and the VA residual-income calculation may affect qualification in a community-property state.
Read the articleLearn how remaining VA entitlement, occupancy, qualification, and keeping the first home can affect another VA purchase.
Read the articleLearn how mortgage escrow works, why a fixed-rate payment can still change, and the pros and cons of paying taxes and insurance yourself.
Read the articleLearn what rate the Federal Reserve actually changes, why mortgage rates can react differently, and what Fed announcements mean for homebuyers.
Read the articleYou do not need every answer before you begin. See how asking questions and taking one reasonable step can make buying your first home feel manageable.
Read the articleSee how traditional and alternative-documentation mortgages differ, who may benefit, and what to expect before choosing a path.
Read the articleA local guide to the property details, taxes, insurance, flood information, schools, utilities, and financing worth checking before you buy.
Read the articleSee why both financed and leased vehicle payments can affect your debt-to-income ratio and mortgage buying power.
Read the articleLearn what your lender and real estate agent each handle, which documents to gather, and the basic steps from planning to closing.
Read the articleSee what belongs in a realistic savings plan, from your down payment and transaction costs to the money you keep after closing.
Read the articleBuild the full monthly payment first, then see how debts, qualifying income, and your real-life budget shape the answer.
Read the articleSee how a monthly auto payment can affect mortgage qualification and what to compare before financing another vehicle.
Read the articleYour salary is a starting point. See how monthly debts, housing costs, and your comfort level help shape a realistic homebuying budget.
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