Peter Warden

Peter Warden has been writing for a decade about mortgages, personal finance, credit cards, and insurance. His work has appeared across a wide range of media. He lives in a small town with his partner of 25 years.

Articles by Peter Warden

Home Buying

What is a bridge loan?

January 21, 2021

What is a bridge loan? A definition A bridge loan is a sum of money that a bank loans to cover the interim period between two transactions, usually the buying […]

Niche Mortgage Products

Non-Conforming Loans: The Complete Guide

January 14, 2021

Homeowner Tips

15 Year vs 30 Year Mortgage: Which Is Better?

January 4, 2021

A 15-year mortgage can save you thousands of dollars in interest and you’ll own your home faster so a 15-year mortgage is better if you can afford it.

Understanding Mortgages

How does a second mortgage work?

December 15, 2020

With a second mortgage, a homeowner can borrow at a very low interest rate, using his or her equity in the home as security.

Refinance

Cash Out Refinance vs HELOC: What’s the difference?

December 14, 2020

A cash out refinance or HELOC (home equity line of credit) lets you turn some of your “equity” into cash. But when you’re choosing between them, you’ll need to consider the specifics of your financial situation.

FHA Loans · Home Buying

FHA Loan Down Payment: The Complete Guide

December 12, 2020

With an FHA loan, nearly all borrowers will be able to pay as little as 3.5% of the home’s purchase price as a down payment.

Home Buying

Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter: The Complete Guide

November 24, 2020

A mortgage pre-approval letter is a document from a lender confirming their willingness to lend you a specified maximum amount of money.

Homeowner Tips

What’s a good credit score to buy a house?

November 16, 2020

Though it’s possible to get a mortgage with a lower credit score, you’ll want a score of at least 740 to qualify for the lowest interest rates. Surprisingly, though, credit […]

Understanding Mortgages

What’s the difference between interest rate and APR?

November 13, 2020

Understanding Mortgages

Conventional Loan Limits 2021

November 3, 2020

Most conventional mortgages come with caps on the amount you can borrow. These are called “conventional loan limits” or sometimes “conforming loan limits.”