Category: Mortgages

Can a non-U.S. citizen get a mortgage in the U.S.? The short answer is yes. “You do not have to be a citizen of the United States to purchase real estate here,” says Ines Hegedus-Garcia, a real estate agent in Miami, FL. However, the kind of loan you are eligible for—and the documentation required to

It’s understandable why borrowers think that the best way to get a lower mortgage rate is to pick a lender who advertises the lowest rate. Mortgage companies know that, and they try to differentiate themselves from competitors by advertising the lowest possible rate they can offer the most qualified borrower. Comparing the rates lenders advertise

While the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) adversely shifts the playing field for home mortgage interest deductions, all is not necessarily lost. Many homeowners will be blissfully unaffected because “grandfather” provisions keep the prior-law rules in place for them. That said, many homeowners will be adversely affected by the TCJA provision that for

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, that pesky down payment has probably kept you awake more than a few nights. We get it—while a pre-approval is crucial for determining your buying power, it’s the down payment that shows you mean business. But saving up is hard. In a study conducted by NerdWallet, 44%

A proof of funds letter is a document that proves that a home buyer has enough liquid cash to purchase a home. It’s essential paperwork that all home sellers will want to see, so home buyers shouldn’t feel prepared to make an offer without one. “Sellers won’t want to take their property off the market without knowing that the buyers are truly able to

Is a mortgage transfer possible—where you hand off a home loan from one person to another? The answer is usually no. When you sell your home, the buyers have to get their own mortgage and you pay yours off in full with proceeds from the sale. But there are a few exceptions to the rule. Here are the ways you

Ah, the all-cash offer. If you’re a home buyer with this ace up your sleeve, you probably have a swagger in your step as you tour homes, looking for the perfect property. Home sellers swoon over all-cash offers for one simple reason: It means there’s no doubt that you’ve got the coin to close the deal. All-cash home buyers have

What is a closing disclosure form? Put simply, it’s a form outlining the terms and costs of your mortgage—and one of the most important pieces of paperwork to check before you close on a home. Lenders must provide borrowers with a closing disclosure (also called a CD) at least three business days before closing—that day when

If you’re a homeowner, you probably already know that recent tax legislation means you can now deduct only up to $10,000 worth of property taxes from your federal tax bill. And if you live in a high-tax state—New Jersey, Illinois, and Texas, we’re looking at you—that probably feels like a drop in the bucket. So it’s understandable

The home office tax deduction offers huge tax savings to those 24% of employed people who now do some or all of their work at home. Yet of all the tax breaks available, this one is among the most murky and misunderstood—all the more so since tax codes are changing big-time for 2018. All of this means it’s high time all you work-from-home folks—business owners,

Taxes are confusing enough as it is—throw in an overhaul like the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, and it’s understandable if you’re flummoxed. But fear not! With all the mayhem and misconceptions flying around, we’re here to set the record straight, by highlighting the top tax myths that might dupe even the financial Einsteins among us—both for this filing year (which is still under the

Welcome to your home tax deduction checklist! For homeowners, this guide is a godsend since, let’s face it, the new tax plan has caused a flurry of confusion. Don’t worry, the old IRS codes still apply to filing this year, but that also means it’s your last chance to take advantage of many traditional tax deductions (which is money you shave off your taxable income)

Have a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC), or thinking of getting one? Homeowners often tap their home equity for some quick cash, using their property as collateral, but watch out—you’ll want to know how this debt will be treated at tax time. With the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the rules of home equity debt have

“Do I need an accountant?” might be a question weighing on you as you prepare to file your taxes this year: Even if you typically whiz through TurboTax or some other online software package, this year’s different. In fact, it’s shaping up to be one of the most confusing since the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Homeownership is one of life’s great highlights, but ask homeowners about paying property tax and they’ll tell you it’s one of their least favorite responsibilities. But as much of a downer as they are, property taxes are vital for funding schools, libraries, police departments, fire departments, and public works like roads and parks. Savvy homeowners and prudent buyers

There’s a Japanese art to everything, including how to save up for a house! It’s called kakeibo, and it’s catching on for good reason: It claims to help people save more than one-third of their income—which could add up to a down payment on a house pretty quick. Pronounced kah-keh-boh (which means “household financial ledger”), the term and practice