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Income Verification Strategies for the Self-Employed
Working as a self-employed business owner or an independent contractor can have enormous advantages. The ability to go your own way and earn money based on your experience and talents is certainly appealing, as is the chance to work from…
What is a Jumbo Loan (And Why Would You Want One)?
A jumbo loan is used to buy a home that costs too much for a conventional loan. Depending on where you live, the local confirming loan limit is usually over $510,000.
How to Achieve a High FICO Score
Whether you need a credit card to cover college expenses or a mortgage to buy a home, a high FICO score can help to lower costs.
7 Steps to Repairing Your Credit Before Getting a Mortgage
If you have issues on your credit report due to errors or payment issues, it is important to understand that it will take time for these to be fixed, so the sooner you start the process the better
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7 Steps to Repairing Your Credit Before Getting a Mortgage
Like many Americans, purchasing a home may be one of your goals in your life’s journey. After all, nearly 65% of people own their homes.
As part of the home search process, you will likely need to get pre-approval for a mortgage so that you can move forward. You wouldn’t want to find your dream home, only to find out that due to your credit score you won’t be able to be approved
Buying a Home: 8 Extraordinary Expenses Many First-Time Homeowners Overlook
Buying a home for the first time is exciting, but many first-time homeowners fail to budget for the ancillary expenses. If you are thinking about buying a home, you need to be prepared for all the costs.
3 Financial Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home
For most people, buying a home is the biggest purchase they make in their entire lives. If you’re looking to save money on that huge purchase, it helps to look at ways beyond just the sales price of the home. Here are three financial mistakes to avoid when buying a home.
Looking to Refinance? How to Get the Best Deal
Not every eye-popping low rate you see represents automatic savings for you. If you’re looking to refinance, here’s how to get the best deal.
Burbs or Bust? 3 Reasons to Move Away from the City
In 2019, about 70 percent of younger homebuyers purchased homes in the suburbs or rural areas. The ‘burbs might not be for everyone, and there are pros and cons to be argued for both urban and suburban dwelling. Do the pros outweigh the cons? It depends on your priorities, but here are three reasons to move away from the city.
The Little-Known No Down Payment Mortgage from the USDA
Are you a potential homebuyer doing research on mortgages, particularly those with options for a low or no down payment? The USDA loan guarantee program is presented, including qualifications for borrowers, eligible areas and properties, and loan types and terms, optimized for no down payment mortgage at 1.4% density.
What is a Home Inspection and Why You Should Have One Completed?
A home inspection is a key component of purchasing a home, but the process can seem daunting to someone who has never had one completed before. A home inspection helps buyers and mortgage lenders determine if there are problems with a home before it closes escrow.
The Key to Successful Debt Consolidation and the Huge Mistakes to Avoid
The basic idea of consolidation is to take out a single large loan which you use to clear all your other debts. For it to work out, your new monthly repayment will need to be less than the total of your current ones.
The Benefits of Choosing an FHA Loan
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and are designed to help low-income homebuyers get a home loan.
5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Score
Consumers who borrow and spend money responsibly find it easier to maintain a good credit score. Keep in mind that good credit doesn’t happen on its own.
Spotting Predatory Lenders
Financial lenders provide mortgages and loans to people that need them. Sometimes the lender may not be as honest as we would like. A few signs that the lender may not have your best interest at heart are included here.
Think Home Ownership is Out of Reach? Here’s How to Make It Happen
How will you ever be able to save to purchase a home? Don’t worry. This article will show you five methods to think outside the box and put homeownership within reach.
Buying a Home? 4 Ways to Save on Your Mortgage
If you are buying a home here are four ways to save on your monthly mortgage payment.
How a Reliable Real Estate Professional Can Simplify the Home Buying Process
If younger prospective first-time homebuyers are confused about any aspect of the home buying process, they can seek help from reputable professionals in the industry.
How Much Money is Needed for a Down Payment?
This article examines how much money homebuyers need to put down before buying a home. It mentions a typical down payment, first-time homebuyer programs, and private mortgage insurance to help homebuyers understand their options.
What Are the Factors That Affect Your Credit Score?
If people don’t know how the credit bureaus calculate credit scores, they will not know how they can improve their credit rating. HLP explains each of the factors that affect a consumer’s credit score.
What Is a Trended Credit Score?
The use of trended credit scoring started in 2016 when Fannie Mae applied it to understand the spending patterns of debt consumers over an extended period of time.
Tips to Make Buying a House Easier
buying a home is an important life event, and you want to make sure you are prepared. There are many considerations to be made, and it can get overwhelming.
Four Ways to Finance Your Home Improvements Without Tapping into Your Savings Account
If you want to reduce your risks of defaulting to the minimum, check the following financing methods for home improvements and pick the one that best suits you.
Five Ways to Reduce the Cost of Building a New Home
To save on costs when building a new home, follow these five tips
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Paying Off Debt
Here are 8 mistakes that people often make when trying to pay off debt. These are mistakes that you need to watch out for.
Deciding Whether to Rent or Buy Your Next Home
Renting and buying both have their advantages and disadvantages and are useful at different stages in life. Explore all the financial implications before making your decision.
Tips to Help You Buy a Home During a Recession
If you have been thinking of buying a home to take advantage of low prices, it can help to be aware of the pros and cons of making a move now.
5 Scenarios Where a Reverse Mortgage is a Bad Investment
A reverse mortgage can be a tempting investment for retirees who want to supplement their retirement income. Here are five scenarios where a reverse mortgage is a bad investment.
5 Steps to Create a Bare-Bones Budget to Survive a Layoff
A layoff is tough but it doesn’t have to lead to financial ruin. This article offers five steps to create a bare-bones budget to survive a layoff.
What Past Financial Crises Have Meant for Real Estate
History suggest that the less real estate is involved in the cause of a recession, the better it fares during it. Here’s what past financial crises have meant for real estate.
How You Can Benefit Financially as a Homeowner
There are several financial benefits of being a homeowner including the increased predictability of expenses and tax breaks.
Building Your Own Home
Get advice for things to consider when building your own home. Instructions for making a budget for construction. Descriptions of construction loans, construction timelines, building tips, and more.
Buying a Home? The Costs You May Not Know About
Buying a home for the first time is an exciting process, but it is also an expensive one. Here’s a look at the additional expenses you should be prepared to pay
Don’t Play The Waiting Game For Home Ownership
Stop waiting and start saving. Make a list of expenses that can be reduced or eliminated. You can save a down payment for your home sooner than you expect.
Tips to Pay Down Your Mortgage Faster
Don’t bite off more than you can chew when it comes to choosing the house of your dreams. Set a realistic budget and stick to it.
Your Credit Score – Know Your Rights About Knowing Your Score
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was passed in order to provide oversight for the collection of consumers’ private credit information and to establish rules for accessing credit report data.
4 Reasons Why Refinancing Your Mortgage is a Good Idea
Record-low mortgage rates are a great time to refinance. However, many borrowers still don’t understand all the benefits of refinancing.
5 Money-Related Questions for First-Time Home Buyers
Get answers to some of your money related questions when you are a first-time home buyer.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Cash When Purchasing a Home
Are you having a tough time saving all the money you think you’ll need to purchase a new house? Before you throw in the money towel, learn how you can buy a home with minimal out-of-pocket cash.
4 Approaches for Buying a Home During COVID-19
Social Distancing during COVID-19 changes the process to buy a home but it doesn’t mean it is impossible should you choose to buy one.
How to Get Temporary Financial Relief through a Mortgage Forbearance Plan
Are you affected by lock-down measures related to COVID-19? Do you find it difficult to meet your mortgage payment due to reduced work hours, job loss, or sickness?
Thinking of Buying a Home? Here Are 5 Signs You’re Ready
The thought of buying a home can elicit a lot of anxiety. How do you know you’re ready to be a homeowner?
Want to Save Money on Your Mortgage? Why Recasting Could be the Perfect Solution
Recasting your mortgage is different from a traditional refinancing offer, and these differences could save you a lot of money.
Signing Up to a Homebuyer Education Workshop Before Signing a Mortgage
There are a number of options for choosing a homebuyer mortgage education workshop. Whether you choose to learn online or offline, go paid or free, it’s a good idea to find a course
Can You Get a Mortgage with an Existing Loan or Credit Card Debt?
Worried that existing debts and loans may affect your mortgage application?
What to Consider Before Putting off Homeownership
Whether or not it’s a good time to buy a home is almost always a personal question. Does it feel like the right time for you?
Your Mortgage Price: The Determining Factors
HLP partner Better.com shares insight on the factors that determine your mortgage price
Why You Should Obtain Your Mortgage Score Sooner Rather Than Later
So, you’ve started the process of buying your first home! You’re probably looking forward to taking this major life step. Often, prospective home buyers are so excited about purchasing their new home that they tend to get a little bit…
The Hidden Costs of Homeownership
There are many additional costs associated with purchasing and owning a home that often blindside first-time buyers. Are you thinking of these expenses?
Home Ownership Myths Debunked
in the case of homeownership information, what you find on the internet might not always be the advice that will help you make the right decision
Determining Your Down Payment
Determining what percentage you want to put down on your home can be tricky. It’s important to remember, first and foremost, that every individual’s situation is unique
Home Ownership and Your Credit Score: Everything You Need to Know
There is quite a bit of misinformation out there with regards to credit scores and the home buying process. Here is why you should check your FICO score early in the process
How To Identify If You Are Taking On A Risky Mortgage
In order to avoid taking on a risky mortgage, it’s important to do your due diligence before signing off on a home purchase that will cause unnecessary financial stress
How To Avoid Buying More House Than You Can Afford
Here are things you should consider to avoid buying more house than you can afford
Using AI to Find Your Perfect Mortgage Fit
By leveraging artificial intelligence, you can get all of the same personalized advice you would obtain from speaking to a mortgage advisor without feeling the pressure to commit.
Smart Home Shopping Redefined
Whether you are in the market for an affordable starter home or shopping for your dream property, you need to carefully calculate how much you have to spend.
The Benefits of an AI-Powered Mortgage Advisor
An AI-powered mortgage advisor can provide you feedback and personal recommendations on how to get ready to buy a home from the comfort of your living room.
How to Get a Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed
Though self-employed applicants will not be able to provide the same documents as a regular employee, there is still a pathway that can be taken to obtain a mortgage
Home Affordable Refinance Program
This program, known as HARP, is offered by the federal government. HARP helps people refinance when they are underwater on their homes
Four Important Things to Know About Jumbo Home Loans
With the cost of home ownership in many markets continuing to rise, many prospective home buyers are moving away from conventional mortgages and towards jumbo home loans
Understanding Cash-Out Refinancing
When a borrower refinances their mortgage and takes out more money than needed to pay it off, this is known as the cash-out option
What to Check Before Buying a Property
Many of the most common property issues can be identified in the very first viewing if you know what to focus on and which questions to ask
Should You Rent or Buy Your Home?
If you’re financially solvent, you have a choice: should you rent a home or buy one? It might not be as straightforward as you first think, and here’s what to take into consideration
How to Buy a Foreclosed Home
With a little preparation and care, a foreclosed house could be the perfect new home for your family. These five steps are a great place to start
What is the difference in buying a condo or a single family home?
There are considerable differences in ownership rights, insurance and what you can do or not do to modify
How Mortgage Lenders Determine Interest Rates Based on Occupancy Types
Buying a home is both exciting and scary, especially for the first time. There are two things that every home buyer is most interested in – price and interest rate
What Is A Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a financial tool for individuals who own their own homes and are age 62 or older, who would like to get money out of their house to supplement their retirement
How to Get a Mortgage
Whether you’re starting with a mortgage pre-approval or are refinancing an existing home loan, many of the required documents are the same
How Much Cash Should You Have on Hand in Order to Buy a House?
As well as being able to qualify for a mortgage, you will also need to have quite a bit of cash on hand in order to buy your first home. So then, how much cash is needed in order to buy a house?
How to Build Your Credit Score for the First Time
Whether you need to buy a car, take out a loan, or purchase real estate, your credit score will often be the factor which determines the success or failure of your application
What is the Right Mortgage Length for You?
Mortgage length is one of the primary concerns that prospective homeowners have. What term lengths are available and what are the advantages or disadvantages of each?
Buying a Home? Ask if the Seller has a Clue
Something your real estate agent may not mention, as it’s not on a lot of their checklists, is the C.L.U.E.
VA Loans: How to Get Pre-Approved
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home and you served or are serving in the United States Military, you’re in luck!
You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan
Winning a Home Bidding War
Homebuyers who are having to compete for homes must get into the shoes of the seller to gain an edge in a home bidding war
Home Loan FAQ
Be sure to have all the information you need as you contemplate the obligations you are committing to with a home loan
How to Get an Affordable Home Loan?
Whether financing is needed for a newly constructed property or for an existing home, a buyer must ensure that reasonable terms are obtained
Should You Use a Big Bank or a Mortgage Broker?
You’re about to go shopping for a new home. If you already are and you don’t have a mortgage pre-approval, stop, read this, and get one