The Blog

Fixed-Rate Home Loans: Is the Stability Worth It?
In today's dynamic housing market, stability may seem like a rare commodity. But when it comes to home loans, you have the power to choose exactly that! Fixed-rate mortgages remain one of the most popular choices among homebuyers, and for good reason. Here’s why....

VA Loan Requirements: Character of Discharge
In addition to length of service, another important aspect that determines a military member’s eligibility for a VA loan is their character of discharge. Below, we’ve discussed VA loan requirements and how they pertain to one’s discharge status. How Does My...

Underwater Home Mortgage Loans: Everything You Need to Know
Sometimes your homeownership experience doesn’t go exactly the way you thought it would. If you think you owe more for your home than it’s actually worth, you may have an underwater mortgage. Home mortgage loans are considered “underwater” or “upside down” when the...

Homeowners Associations (HOA): What New Home Buyers Need to Know
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are common in planned developments. In fact, approximately 30% of the U.S. population lives in HOA communities. That’s about 75.5 million people. New home buyers should be aware of how an HOA can impact their homeownership experience so...

Steps for Changing VA Home Loan Lenders
Finding the right VA home loan lender can be tricky, especially if you’ve never gone through the process of buying a home before. Sometimes, borrowers start working with a lender only to find out that it’s not the best fit for their situation. So how do you go through...

What Is the Payment Supplement Program for FHA Loans?
In February of 2024, the Federal Housing Association announced a new loss mitigation program for homeowners with FHA loans. The Payment Supplement Program is designed to help FHA borrowers who cannot be assisted through the FHA’s previously existing retention...

Non-Allowable Fees for VA Home Loans
Closing costs are the fees that a borrower normally has to pay when buying a home. Typically, the total cost for these expenses adds up to about 3-6% of the loan amount. The good news is, that if you’re buying a house with a VA loan, the closing costs could be a lot...

What Happens If You Inherit a Home with a Loan?
If you’ve recently inherited a home with a loan, you may be wondering what happens next. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, especially when there are complicated financial or legal matters involved. But you don’t have to go through it alone; we’re...

Buying Your First House: The Importance of a Pest Inspection
If you’re going through the process of buying your first house, your real estate agent may have brought up the topic of a pest inspection. But you’ve already a lot of money and you’re eager to move. Now, you’re wondering, is a pest inspection really worth the trouble?...

How Federal Reserve Policies Affect Home Loans
Many factors can affect rates for home loans including the borrower’s financial state, the location of the property, the loan type and terms, and supply and demand. Additionally, another major aspect influencing home loan rates is the Federal Reserve’s monetary...

First-Time Home Buyers FAQs: What Is an Acceleration Clause?
A topic that sometimes comes up with first-time home buyers when they’re sorting through their loan documents is the acceleration clause. If you’ve never bought a home before, you’ve likely never come across this term and are probably curious about what it means....

How to Get the Best Rate for Your Home Refinance
Do you find yourself wishing you had a lower mortgage payment? Or are you looking to take advantage of the current market and lower your interest rate? If so, you may want to consider a home refinance. Under the right circumstances, refinancing can be beneficial for...

How to Apply for a VA Home Loan: Online vs. In-Person Submission
The shift towards digital banking and financial services has had a major impact on the mortgage industry. It’s now more convenient and accessible for veteran borrowers to apply for home loans than ever before. And they can do so without needing to visit a bank or...