Learning Center
you can use to learn how to buy or refinance your home.
- Ultimate Homeowners Insurance 2022 Guide: Mortgages 101
- How Much House Can I Afford? Pre-Approval vs. Your Finances
- Zero-Down: Is It Bad to Put No Payment Down on a Mortgage?
- What Is HOA?: First Time Home Buyers Guide to HOA
- Understanding Home Appreciation: Home Appreciation Calculator
- What Is a Mortgage Broker? What to Know Before Using One
- What Is a Down Payment?
- What Is a Conventional Loan?
- Property Owner’s Association: POA vs HOA vs COA, the Same, Different?
- Understanding HOA Fees | Homeowner’s 2022 Ultimate Guide
- Do You Have to Have Mortgage Insurance?
- 30-Year Mortgage: Everything You Need to Know
- Pre-qualified vs. Pre-approved Mortgage: Understanding the Difference
- Recast Mortgage: Everything You Need to Know About Mortgage Recasting
- Pre-Foreclosure? What Does It Mean & What To Do
- What Are The Different Types Of Mortgage Loans?
- What Are Mortgage Refinance Fees & What Can You Do to Lower Them?
- What Are Mortgage Loans and How Do They Work?
- What Are Mortgage Fees and Closing Costs?
- What Is a Bridge Loan? Everything You Need to Know
- What Is a Loan Estimate?
- What Is a Mortgage Broker?: Definition, Duties, and Advantages
- What Is a Mortgage?
- What Is Earnest Money? | Earnest Money Deposit Explained
- What Is The Home Appraisal Process? How Appraisals Work
- What Is A VA Loan? Here Is What America’s Veterans Should Know
- Home Improvement: 8 Budget-Friendly DIY Changes For Your Home
- Buying a House During COVID-19: A Pandemic’s Impact On Mortgages
- What Is the Difference Between Interest Rate & APR?
- Mortgage Refinance Checklist
- What Documents Do I Need To Refinance My Mortgage?
- What Is a Cash-Out Refinance?
- Mortgages for the First-time Home Buyer: Ultimate Loan Guide
- How to Refinance a Mortgage: Refinancing Process Guide
- How to Close on Your New House, Quickly
- How to Choose the Best Mortgage Lender
- 8 Hidden Costs: Home Buyers' Guide to Unexpected Expenses
- How to Buy A House: A Beginner’s Guide
How to Buy A House: A Beginner’s Guide
Purchasing real estate is not as simple as finding the right home, submitting an offer, and signing the closing paperwork; many more steps are involved. The home buying process can sometimes be lengthy, and there may be...
All Blog Topics
Click one of the tags below to see all blogs on that topic.
Buying a House
When you buy a house and start making mortgage payments, your payment consists of four different components, known by the acronym PITI, which refers to Principal,...
If you have gone through the pre-approval process but need to take a deeper dive into how much house to buy, follow our guide to find out what makes the most financial...
The vast majority of mortgage loans require you to put down a certain percentage of the selling price upfront. However, not everyone can afford to put down that much...
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve purchased a home before, you’ve likely heard of a homeowner’s association. In fact, an in-depth study has shown that 58% of...
There’s a lot of expenses to keep in mind when you’re thinking about buying a home. Between the price of the home, property taxes, your mortgage payments, insurance, and...
Conventional loans are mortgages offered by private lenders, banks, and institutions that are not backed by the government. Unlike FHA, USDA, or VA loans, which are...
Some homebuyers refuse to purchase a property if it is part of a property owner association. On the other hand, many other homebuyers intentionally seek out properties...
Research indicates that 58% of homeowners in HOA communities and single-family homes pay an average monthly fee of $250. Despite this substantial number, homeowners lack...
Private mortgage insurance is something millions of homeowners pay for each year. However, this type of insurance does not protect the homeowner.
When you first set out to buy a home, it can feel like you’re taking an exam you forgot to study for. You have to make quick decisions that can have ramifications on...
When looking to refinance or buy a house, the pre-qualified vs pre-approved mortgage debate can be confusing. Pre-qualification is usually performed by an independent...
It’s likely that your mortgage loan will be the largest loan you have during your lifetime. Mortgages are not a one size fits all approach, there are many different...
For many people, owning a home is part of the American dream. To make this dream a reality, most people will take out a mortgage loan to help them finance the cost of ...
Whenever you’re looking to buy a house, you’ll quickly realize there are a lot of fees associated with obtaining a mortgage. These fees can quickly add up, so it’s...
A bridge loan is a short-term loan a borrower may use while a more long-term financing contract is finalized. Bridge loans are common in real estate when someone needs...
A loan estimate is crucial to obtain when looking for a loan. This estimate not only gives you the details of a mortgage but also compares offers from different lenders...
There are many moving parts and various people you’ll deal with throughout the homebuying process. Depending on how you decide to find your lender, one of the...
If you’re looking to buy a house, and do not have a mountain of cash saved up, you’ll need to consider getting a mortgage to help you finance this large expense.
But...
If you find a property that you’re highly interested in buying but are concerned that the seller might choose another offer over your own, you may consider making a...
Buying a home? You’ll likely need to get it appraised before you receive the clear to close. If you’re wondering what is the home appraisal process, or why you should...
If you’re an active service member, a veteran, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, and you want to purchase a home or refinance your current home loan you should...
There’s no doubt, COVID-19 changed the world in countless ways and took us all by surprise. From an economic standpoint, countless industries were shaken and disrupted....
Whenever you are borrowing money, whether it’s for a new mortgage, a refinance, credit card, or car loan, you’ll hear the terms interest rate and APR discussed quite a...
If you’re new to buying a home, you probably have quickly realized the overwhelming amount of options there are for your mortgage. To help you get your bearings as a...
If you’ve already gone through the lengthy process of writing offers, securing financing, and arranging inspections for your potential property, you’re probably ready to...
One of the most important steps to buying a home is deciding on a mortgage loan and deciding on a loan involves settling on a good mortgage lender. Because a mortgage...
First time home buyers are often surprised when they learn about all of the expenses that are associated with purchasing and owning a home. After all, the purchase price...
Purchasing real estate is not as simple as finding the right home, submitting an offer, and signing the closing paperwork; many more steps are involved. The home buying...
Mortgage 101
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve purchased a home before, you’ve likely heard of a homeowner’s association. In fact, an in-depth study has shown that 58% of...
People buy their homes for a number of reasons. Affordability, stability, and comfort are some of the most important factors. However, appreciation must also be...
Mortgage brokers play an integral and active role in the mortgage market, offering customers a service not made available by large banks, credit unions, or other...
There’s a lot of expenses to keep in mind when you’re thinking about buying a home. Between the price of the home, property taxes, your mortgage payments, insurance, and...
Conventional loans are mortgages offered by private lenders, banks, and institutions that are not backed by the government. Unlike FHA, USDA, or VA loans, which are...
Private mortgage insurance is something millions of homeowners pay for each year. However, this type of insurance does not protect the homeowner.
When you first set out to buy a home, it can feel like you’re taking an exam you forgot to study for. You have to make quick decisions that can have ramifications on...
When looking to refinance or buy a house, the pre-qualified vs pre-approved mortgage debate can be confusing. Pre-qualification is usually performed by an independent...
A home doesn’t just fall into foreclosure status. There are stages and processes that take place behind the scenes before a home is sold via foreclosure. One of those...
It’s likely that your mortgage loan will be the largest loan you have during your lifetime. Mortgages are not a one size fits all approach, there are many different...
For many people, owning a home is part of the American dream. To make this dream a reality, most people will take out a mortgage loan to help them finance the cost of ...
Whenever you’re looking to buy a house, you’ll quickly realize there are a lot of fees associated with obtaining a mortgage. These fees can quickly add up, so it’s...
A loan estimate is crucial to obtain when looking for a loan. This estimate not only gives you the details of a mortgage but also compares offers from different lenders...
If you’re looking to buy a house, and do not have a mountain of cash saved up, you’ll need to consider getting a mortgage to help you finance this large expense.
But...
If you’re an active service member, a veteran, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, and you want to purchase a home or refinance your current home loan you should...
The vast majority of mortgage loans require you to put down a certain percentage of the selling price upfront. However, not everyone can afford to put down that much...
Owning a House
Some homebuyers refuse to purchase a property if it is part of a property owner association. On the other hand, many other homebuyers intentionally seek out properties...
Research indicates that 58% of homeowners in HOA communities and single-family homes pay an average monthly fee of $250. Despite this substantial number, homeowners lack...
Private mortgage insurance is something millions of homeowners pay for each year. However, this type of insurance does not protect the homeowner.
A mortgage is often the largest monthly expense homeowners pay. The thought of reducing the amount of money you owe each month comes to mind for just about every...
A home doesn’t just fall into foreclosure status. There are stages and processes that take place behind the scenes before a home is sold via foreclosure. One of those...
Refinancing your home can save you thousands of dollars per year! When you extrapolate that savings over the lifetime of your loan, it’s no secret why refinancing seems...
If you’re looking to buy a house, and do not have a mountain of cash saved up, you’ll need to consider getting a mortgage to help you finance this large expense.
But...
Buying a home? You’ll likely need to get it appraised before you receive the clear to close. If you’re wondering what is the home appraisal process, or why you should...
Innovative and cost-effective home improvement ideas are all over the internet, especially when it comes to DIY projects that will add value to your home without...
When you buy a house and start making mortgage payments, your payment consists of four different components, known by the acronym PITI, which refers to Principal,...
People buy their homes for a number of reasons. Affordability, stability, and comfort are some of the most important factors. However, appreciation must also be...
Refinancing
A mortgage is often the largest monthly expense homeowners pay. The thought of reducing the amount of money you owe each month comes to mind for just about every...
It’s likely that your mortgage loan will be the largest loan you have during your lifetime. Mortgages are not a one size fits all approach, there are many different...
Refinancing your home can save you thousands of dollars per year! When you extrapolate that savings over the lifetime of your loan, it’s no secret why refinancing seems...
A loan estimate is crucial to obtain when looking for a loan. This estimate not only gives you the details of a mortgage but also compares offers from different lenders...
If you’re looking to buy a house, and do not have a mountain of cash saved up, you’ll need to consider getting a mortgage to help you finance this large expense.
But...
Whenever you are borrowing money, whether it’s for a new mortgage, a refinance, credit card, or car loan, you’ll hear the terms interest rate and APR discussed quite a...
Refinancing can open up opportunities for homeowners to cash out on equity, reduce monthly mortgage payments, or renegotiate the interest rate on their home loan....
The interest rate on a mortgage is simply the fee a lender charges the borrower for borrowing their money. Over the lifetime of the loan, the interest expense certainly...
A cash-out refinance is the process of taking the equity you have built in your home in the form of a cash deposit into a designated account or physical check. Many...
Consider this scenario. You bought a house several years ago, and at the time, you thought you got a pretty great deal. However, since you closed on your new residence,...
Selling a House
A bridge loan is a short-term loan a borrower may use while a more long-term financing contract is finalized. Bridge loans are common in real estate when someone needs...
If you find a property that you’re highly interested in buying but are concerned that the seller might choose another offer over your own, you may consider making a...
Buying a home? You’ll likely need to get it appraised before you receive the clear to close. If you’re wondering what is the home appraisal process, or why you should...
People buy their homes for a number of reasons. Affordability, stability, and comfort are some of the most important factors. However, appreciation must also be...
Ultimate Guides
Research indicates that 58% of homeowners in HOA communities and single-family homes pay an average monthly fee of $250. Despite this substantial number, homeowners lack...
When you buy a house and start making mortgage payments, your payment consists of four different components, known by the acronym PITI, which refers to Principal,...
A bridge loan is a short-term loan a borrower may use while a more long-term financing contract is finalized. Bridge loans are common in real estate when someone needs...
Rates
Whenever you are borrowing money, whether it’s for a new mortgage, a refinance, credit card, or car loan, you’ll hear the terms interest rate and APR discussed quite a...