What is a Mortgage Forbearance Agreement?
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to wreak havoc around the globe, many homeowners have found themselves underemployed, if not completely out of a job. While this will be a temporary situation for the majority, there are still bills that need to be paid – including the mortgage. How can homeowners who are clearly not at […]
Mortgage 101
Mortgage is a rather common word. It is heard often throughout the average person’s lifetime. But do you really know what it means? When first-time home buyers are preparing for one of the most important decisions in their life, do they truly understand what a mortgage is? For those who are familiar with the word but realize, after […]
Understanding Your Closing Costs
One of those things that many home buyers, particularly new home buyers, don’t consider in the purchasing process or price of their new home are closing costs. These costs can add up to thousands of dollars leaving the home buyer scrambling to find the cash to cover the costs and purchase their dream home. In some […]
What Can I Expect From The Closing Process?
As recent home buyers, you are eagerly anticipating your first night in your new home. You made an offer, it has been accepted and you can move in tomorrow, right? Not exactly. The closing process on a new home offers a lot of hurry up and waiting for the new home buyers. One study estimates […]
Understanding the Difference Between Rates and APR
When you’re ready to apply for a loan for a big purchase, such as a home or auto, you want to make sure you understand everything about the process. That includes understanding the difference between interest rates and APR (or annual percentage rates). Both interest rates and APR involve percentages. An interest rate is the […]
Understanding Mortgage Points and Why They Matter
When applying for a mortgage, you are likely to hear terms you are unfamiliar with. One of these terms is mortgage points and it is important to understand what they are and how they impact your mortgage. There are two types of mortgage points which are origination points, and discount points. Origination points are direct […]
What is an Over-inflated Appraisal and How Does it Affect Home Buyers?
An appraisal is an important number in the process of buying a home. The appraisal will tell the seller, lender, and buyer how much a home is worth. Since the purpose of an appraisal is to protect the lender and buyer from overpaying, it is usually part of the closing process of a home purchase. […]
7 Things You Must Prioritize When Buying a House
When it comes to buying a house, you’ll need to rearrange your priorities to achieve this goal. This means you’ll need to say no to frivolous purchases and dedicate yourself to delayed gratification and self-discipline during the process. Here is a list of 7 things you must prioritize when buying a house.. 1. How Much […]
What is the debt-to-income ratio to qualify for a loan
Your debt plays a major role in determining whether you qualify for a mortgage or not. This is because lenders utilize your debt-to-income ratio to assess your ability to repay and determine how much you can borrow. What Is Debt-To-Income Ratio? Debt-to-income is a finance figure that compares your total debts to your gross income. […]
Checklist for the First Time Buyer: 10 Common Tips
Buying your first home can be an exciting yet stressful endeavor. After all, it is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your lifetime and if you’re not familiar with the process, it can be a little intimidating. Understanding the steps involved will help you navigate through thinking about buying a home to […]
