Traditionally, most mortgages are either 15-year or 30-year loans. And because purchasing a home can get expensive, many aspiring home buyers wonder if it’s possible to get a longer mortgage. Typically, the longer a loan’s repayment term, the lower your monthly payments. Enter the 40-year mortgage. Before applying for this type of loan, it’s important
Types of Mortgages
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that in 2022, nearly 750,000 VA home loans were issued, and the average loan amount was $343,895.[1] For veterans and service members (and their families), a VA loan remains one of the most viable paths to homeownership. Those interested in the program typically have questions about the
With perks like no required down payment and free mortgage loan counseling, it’s no wonder U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are a popular option for the military community. The catch is you must meet minimum service requirements to apply for a VA loan. However, with joint VA loans, non-military borrowers also have an
Not every homeowner starts with their dream home. Many Americans begin building equity with fixer-uppers. Other times, savvy investors might see the potential in a property after upgrades are made. If you’re interested in financing upgrades to a property, a Fannie Mae HomeStyle® loan might be right for you. We’ll explain how the program works,
Founded by Congress in 1970, Freddie Mac exists to provide liquidity and stability to the U.S. mortgage market.[1]Their core mission is to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of mortgage funds. In theory, this helps keep interest rates lower and makes mortgages affordable for more Americans. Designed to help very low- to low-income borrowers become
Whether you’re worried about your carbon footprint or trying to save on utility bills, there are many benefits to considering an energy-efficient mortgage (EEM). EEMs, also known as green mortgages, are loans that can be used to finance energy-efficient improvements to an existing home or purchase a home that’s already energy efficient. We’ll cover EEM
Even with fluctuations in the housing market, homes remain expensive – especially new construction. In November of 2022, the median sales price for new construction was $471,200.[1] Alternative housing, in the form of mobile and manufactured homes, offers Americans a significantly cheaper path to homeownership. The average sales price of new manufactured homes was $86,500
Given today’s home prices, buying a home on a teacher’s salary ain’t easy. If you’re a teacher and aspiring home buyer, you should know that many home loans are specifically designed for educators to help them purchase real estate. And you can also take advantage of mortgage assistance programs to help make buying a home
If you qualify for an FHA loan, but you can’t find or don’t want a traditional house, you could opt for a condominium. Like houses, condos need to be approved by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) before they’re added to the official list of FHA-approved properties. This means you’ll need to pick from available FHA-approved
When you’re searching for your next home, a fully renovated property can be pretty appealing. But if you want to use a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan to purchase a recently renovated property, you might run into some trouble getting your financing approved. Even if you have excellent credit and enough cash for a sizable
Plunging into homeownership is a big deal. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, and that starts with researching your loan options. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are two of the most common government-backed mortgage programs – but they offer very different benefits for borrowers. So which
The Fannie Mae HomePath® program is a great way to buy a home at a more affordable price than you might find on the open market. Getting a mortgage through HomePath® could save you thousands of dollars on your down payment and closing costs. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about
Mortgages come in a variety of proverbial flavors. There are short-term mortgages, long-term mortgages, mortgages with variable rates and mortgages with fixed rates. The varieties are endless – and as anyone who has spent time in an ice cream shop knows – it can be challenging to decide on the flavor you want. If you’re
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan is one of the best ways active or veteran military service members can secure a mortgage. With a VA loan, veterans can get the money they need and not have to make a down payment. And your VA loan is a benefit you can reuse. You can use
Buying a home comes with a lot of decisions, from the property you choose to the type of financing you use. In addition to selecting the kind of mortgage you want to take out, you might also find yourself weighing your options for the length of your loan term. While most loan terms are 30
Are you ready to purchase a home but worry you may not qualify for a mortgage? Have you considered the FHA’s adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)? The FHA ARM (which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration) may be the loan that makes your home buying dreams a reality. The credit score and down payment requirements for
Buying a home can be an expensive pursuit. Fortunately, there are strategies you can take advantage of to lower your home buying costs. If you are an aspiring home buyer with a low- to moderate-income, you should explore the different loan options at your disposal. If you’re struggling to qualify for a conventional mortgage because
Find out what you can afford. Research what your monthly payment might look like with our intuitive mortgage calculator. The VA loan program is one of the best ways for qualified service members, veterans and surviving spouses to become successful home buyers. VA loans make home loans accessible and offer some of the most competitive
When you’re house hunting, finding the right home is only part of the battle. You’ll also need to decide how to finance your home purchase. If you’re going to take out a loan, you need to know which type of mortgage to use. Conventional loans and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are among
In the United States, there are many different paths to homeownership. One of the most common ways to buy a home – especially if you can’t make a huge down payment – is with help from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Established after the Great Depression, the FHA offers a variety of programs to help
Qualifying service members, veterans or surviving spouses turn to VA loans to help make buying a home less expensive and becoming a homeowner more affordable. With a VA loan in hand, borrowers can close on a new home without a substantial amount of money upfront. One of the biggest benefits of a VA loan is
After years of studying to begin a career as a medical professional, you’d think getting a mortgage would be a breeze. Unfortunately, many doctors come out of medical school with a significant amount of debt and a more modest income than seasoned physicians. This large debt-to-income (DTI) ratio can make it harder for doctors looking
Like many Americans, U.S. military veterans and active duty service members may want to purchase an investment property. After all, real estate has proven to be one of the most lucrative investment opportunities. As an added bonus, service members and veterans get access to VA loans, which often come with more favorable terms and fewer
If you’re a nomad at heart but want to keep a roof over your head, you’re likely in the market for a mobile home (aka a manufactured home). And the best way to finance your purchase will likely be a chattel mortgage. Chattel mortgages are loans you get on personal property (aka chattel) that can
When you buy a home, the seller transfers the deed to you, making you the proud new owner of a piece of real estate. But did you know that sometimes homeowners can transfer their mortgages to you, too? A transferable mortgage, more commonly known as an assumable mortgage, allows you to buy a home by
Loans originated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are a great option for home buyers, especially first-time home buyers. They offer low-interest rates, relaxed credit requirements, and low down payments. And there’s another unique benefit. If you refinance your existing FHA loan to another FHA loan, you may qualify for a refund on the upfront
If you’re the spouse or surviving spouse of a U.S. Armed Forces veteran (including the U.S. National Guard), you may qualify for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan – either as a co-borrower or sometimes as a standalone applicant. Considering everything spouses of active service members and veterans do for their families, as
If you’re exploring options for buying or refinancing a home, you might be worried about the minimum credit requirements associated with certain loans. Thankfully, when it comes to buying or refinancing a home with less-than-stellar credit, nonconforming loans can be a great solution. Nonconforming loans often get a bad rap, likely because their name implies
Have you ever wished you could invest in real estate without spending all your savings? Well, a participation mortgage might be the perfect solution for you. A participation mortgage allows multiple people or entities to team up and share in real estate investment costs and profits, while also reducing each participant’s risk exposure on a
Though most buyers will use a traditional mortgage to purchase their home, there are other options to explore when it comes to financing a home purchase. If you’re having a difficult time with traditional avenues of home financing – like a home loan from banks or other mortgage lenders or a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)