Home Buying

Don’t Let Common Home-buying Fears Keep You From Homeownership

January 1, 2022

Buying a home can be an overwhelming experience for the first-timer. It’s a step toward the unknown because, by definition, a first-time buyer has never done this before. But just […]

Expert Interviews · News

Interview with Laurie Goodman, Director of the Housing Finance Policy Center at Urban Institute

January 1, 2022

Laurie Goodman is Director of the Housing Finance Policy Center at Urban Institute, an organization that drives policy change at the nation’s highest housing agencies with solid research and data. Tell us a little about Urban […]

Understanding Mortgages

Eliminate Mortgage Closing Surprises With These Tips

January 1, 2022

You’ve gotten through the hard part of getting a mortgage. Your application is approved. Now, you are just waiting for that final step – the closing. This is when the […]

News · Refinance · VA Home Loans

VA Energy Efficient Mortgage Guidelines 2024

January 1, 2022

A VA streamline refinance, also known as an IRRRL, allows US military veterans and service members to lower their rate and payment with very little documentation. Another advantage to this […]

News · USDA Home Loans

USDA 0-Down Loans Ramp Up Before Eligibility Maps Change

January 1, 2022

Update: USDA has postponed map changes until October 2017 at the earliest. Going forward, USDA will review maps every three to five years to decide whether to make changes. The last […]

HARP · HARP 3.0

If not a full HARP 3.0, we could see HARP 3 Lite: HARP 2.1 or HARP 2.5

January 1, 2022

Editor’s Note: The HARP program expired Dec. 31, 2018, but most homes have increased in value considerably since HARP rolled out. This means many homeowners may currently be eligible for […]

Conventional Loans · Understanding Mortgages

What Is The Difference Between Adjustable-Rate And Fixed-Rate Mortgages?

November 22, 2021

Comparing fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages Most home shoppers choose fixed-rate mortgages without much thought about adjustable-rate mortgages. But you may be surprised to learn both types of mortgages have advantages. […]

Refinance

How to Lower the Cost of Refinancing

November 16, 2021

For some borrowers, saving $100 or $150 a month won’t justify parting with thousands of dollars in cash upfront. But there are ways to lower the cost of refinancing. 

HARP · HARP 3.0 · Refinance

Mortgage Refinance Banks Don’t Want You Knowing About

November 15, 2021

Editor’s Note: The HARP program expired December 31, 2018. The Freddie Mac Enhanced Relief Refinance (FMERR) loan program is a popular replacement. Additionally, Fannie Mae’s High LTV Refinance Option (HLRO) […]

Refinance

Fannie Mae High Loan-to-Value Refinance Option (HIRO) Guidelines for 2024

September 1, 2021