When you’re shopping for a mortgage, you’ll quickly discover that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the go-to for most home buyers. But maybe you’re not interested in a long-term commitment with a mortgage. A short-term mortgage is a home loan with a shorter repayment period than a traditional 30-year mortgage. These loans are typically used
Types of Mortgages
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is tasked with insuring home mortgage loans and making homeownership safer and more accessible while reducing risks for lenders. The FHA’s promise to repay a loan if the borrower defaults provides lenders with a sense of financial security, encouraging them to issue home loans with lower down payments and longer
Are you considering buying a home with someone else? If so, you’re going to want to know about joint mortgages. A joint mortgage is when two or more people borrow money from a lender to purchase a home. This article will explain everything you need to know about joint mortgages. We’ll cover how they work,
If you’re a potential home buyer, chances are you’re interested in getting a mortgage. And chances are the mortgage you’ll get is a “conventional” mortgage – one that conforms to the standards set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. But if you wouldn’t call your financial situation “conventional,” you might be looking for other mortgage
If you currently have a home mortgage loan through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may be looking for a way to refinance your loan so you can lower your interest rate. One option is a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (VA IRRRL), sometimes known as a Streamline Refinance loan. It’s a quick
Sometimes you need money fast. Maybe you want to buy a new home, but you haven’t sold your old home yet. Or maybe you have your eye on an investment property or a home you want to flip. If you need money for a real estate purchase and don’t have time to wait on mortgage
When you can’t afford a home in the neighborhood of your dreams, a fixer-upper can give you the chance to renovate a home anywhere and turn it into the house of your dreams. And because fixer-uppers likely need repairs, they’re usually easier on the wallet. Yes, it all sounds perfect until you realize how much
If you can’t qualify for a conventional loan or just aren’t interested in one, you may be wondering what other home loans are out there. Well, there are lots of options to choose from. And many of those options fit under the umbrella of “nontraditional” mortgages. So what is a nontraditional mortgage, and is it
A condo can be a great option for someone looking to live in an urban area. Condos combine the amenities of a rental apartment complex with the benefits of homeownership. But condos can be trickier to buy and sell because the community you’re purchasing your unit in has a unique set of rules. If you’re
As a current or prospective home buyer, you know that every new home comes with different mortgage needs. Depending on your financial and real estate goals, you might look for alternatives to the standard 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to get the most from your money. That’s where adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) come in. In this
When it comes to mortgages, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But there are lots of options. And your job as a borrower is to understand all your options. When you apply for financing to buy a home, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM loan or ARM) may be one of your options. And a 5/6 ARM is
Even if it’s not your first time buying a home, it may be hard to meet the income requirements to cover your mortgage payment. Lucky for you, you don’t necessarily have to commit to those big payments right away if you can get a graduated payment mortgage (GPM). A GPM is a loan where payments
Whether you’re looking to take the leap into buying your first home or looking to upsize from your current property, you’ll probably need a mortgage to purchase the home. There are lots of different variables to consider as you apply for a mortgage. Your income, debts, savings and career plans should all factor into the decision.
If you’re shopping for a home, getting a mortgage loan can be the largest hurdle standing between you and your dreams. With so many types of mortgages available, it’s easy to feel lost when trying to decide what loan is best for you. One big question for borrowers (especially first-time buyers) is whether a Federal
A second mortgage is a loan you take out on your home if you’ve already got an existing mortgage. And if you are a homeowner in need of extra cash, there are two options you can consider. The first is to refinance your home using the equity you’ve built since you got your first mortgage.
Getting a mortgage and being a homeowner is a big deal. And depending on where you want to live and the state of the housing market (if it’s a seller’s market or not), it can be an uphill battle to find and purchase a home in your price range. A loan alternative – like a
Buying a home and navigating the mortgage process can be difficult, especially if you can’t come up with a down payment or your credit score isn’t perfect. But, while the process isn’t easy, it’s not impossible, especially with the help of government home loans. Government-backed loans can give people who have a hard time acquiring
Do you qualify for an FHA loan based on your credit score and credit history? And even if you do, is an FHA loan the right choice for you? If your credit score is under 620, you may not qualify for a conventional mortgage, but a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan could be the answer
Feeling cooped up in your metro area? You’re not alone. According to recent Census data, 86% of U.S. residents live in metro areas. That leaves 14% of the population spread out in the rural areas of the country – which spans 72% of the nation’s land area.[1] So, if you’re looking for more space, there
Feels like we can’t escape financial pundits telling us to stop eating out and to streamline our streaming subscriptions, so we can save for a down payment. Good advice. But how many decades will that take? Between stagnant wages, student loan debt and everything from cereal to cars getting more expensive (according to the Bureau
It’s a seller’s market. And that means home buyers are up against stiff competition. Acting fast and coughing up as much cash as possible can be the difference between a successful purchase and losing out against other eager buyers. The types of homes you’re looking at might also give you a competitive edge in this
Let’s get into this. A jumbo loan is exactly what you think it is: a ginormous load of cash. We’re talking over $550,000 to buy a house. These loans are ideal for buyers who have strong financial profiles and need access to much higher loan amounts than they would get under a conforming loan’s limit
Imagine being this close to calling it quits on your house search – and then it happens. You find THE house AND it’s in your price range. Granted, it’s affordable because it needs some serious repairs, rehab and renovation, but you love it and you’re willing to do what it takes to transform your fixer-upper
For some first-time home buyers, it can be hard to put together a down payment for a home. Just consider the following: Taking all of this into account, it’s easy to understand why it’s harder for today’s potential homeowners to save up for a down payment, especially when compared to previous generations. But don’t despair.
If you’re shopping around for a mortgage, you’ll probably hear words like “conventional” and “conforming” and acronyms like “VA” and “FHA” thrown around by mortgage lenders and loan officers. It can feel a bit overwhelming, but we’re here to translate. With this helpful guide to conventional mortgage loans, you can shop for your mortgage without
There comes a time in every relationship when you need to have a little chat about the future. And that can be a pretty stressful conversation if you aren’t ready for it. Luckily, when it comes to refinancing your Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgage, the conversation is pretty simple (and far less awkward) –