Category: Mortgages

What is a hard money lender? The term may conjure up visions of crooked-nosed guys who’ll cut off your pinkie finger if you flake on making prompt payments.
The post What Is a Hard Money Lender? It’s Not as Scary as…

Sometimes home buyers’ family members will help with a down payment. But before you give or get a gift, make sure you understand the tax implications.
The post Giving—or Receiving—a Down Payment Gift? Here Are the Tax Consequences appeared first on Real…

Online mortgages are popular because of their speed and convenience, but they aren’t always a good idea for everyone.
The post 4 Good Reasons to Not Get a Mortgage Online appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. …

To find the best mortgage lender for you, make sure to ask yourself these questions to home in on your perfect match. 
The post Who’s the Best Mortgage Lender for You? How to Find Your Match appeared first on Real Estate News…

Figuring out the best interest rate for your mortgage can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Here’s what you need to know about interest rates before applying for a mortgage.
The post A Guide to Mortgage Interest Rates: Why They Go Down…

How to lower closing costs crosses the mind of every home buyer. While you can’t get out of every fee, there are some closing fees that have flexibility.
The post How to Lower Closing Costs: A Guide for Home Buyers appeared first…

Love being your own boss? You might not love the process of getting approved for a mortgage as a self-employed borrower.
The post 3 Deadly Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid If You’re Self-Employed appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®….

I got an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM—and here’s how this decision impacted our finances over five, 10 years—and beyond.
The post I Got an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage and Wow, What a Ride! appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. …

Whether you’re buying an investment property or a second home, these are the rules of refinancing while taking out another mortgage.
The post ‘Can I Refinance While Buying a Second Home?’ Here Are the Mortgage Rules appeared first on Real Estate News…

How much is capital gains tax on real estate? If you sell something that’s increased in value, you’ll likely face this tax. But here’s how to avoid it.
The post How Much Is Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate? What Homeowners Need…

An IRS audit is one of the scariest things a taxpayer can face. Here’s what can trigger an audit and how to deal if one comes your way.
The post I Survived An Audit (and It’s So Not What You’d Expect) appeared…

Here’s your home tax deduction checklist for the 2018 tax year. Be sure to know about all of the tax breaks for homeowners, so you don’t leave anything on the table.
The post Your 2019 Home Tax Deduction Checklist: Did You Get…

You’ve saved up for a down payment and closing costs, so that’s it … right? Here are hidden home maintenance costs that first-time buyers often forget.
The post 9 Hidden Home Maintenance Costs That Can Blindside First-Time Buyers appeared first on Real…

A growing number of mortgage lenders are offering rapid pre-approval to home buyers—some within 24 hours. Here’s how to get a mortgage fast.
The post ‘I Got a Home Loan in 24 Hours’: How to Get a Mortgage Fast, Revealed appeared first…

While your mortgage lender will have specific recommendations to ensure speediness, here are some general recommendations.
The post Top 10 Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender: Do You Know Them All? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. …

Since lenders realize that buying a house does take time, pre-approval has a shelf life, but not an indefinite one. In general pre-approval is good for about three months.
The post How Long Does Mortgage Pre-Approval Last? appeared first on Real…

The U.S. tax code just got a major overhaul. Here’s a rundown of five major tax breaks that changed this filing year and how to take full advantage of them.
The post 5 Tax Breaks That Disappear This Year—and Some Loopholes That Offer Hope appeared…

Paying off your mortgage early will affect your credit score, but will it have a positive or negative impact? Our experts weigh in.
The post How Does Paying Off Your Mortgage Affect Your Credit Score? appeared first on Real Estate News &…

Want to buy a house, but are held back by your low credit score? We’ve got you covered with these sneaky tricks to raise your credit score almost overnight.
The post How to Improve Your Credit Score Before You Buy a House…

FICO is rolling out a new UltraFICO score. What is it? Will it help your credit score? What are the drawbacks? Find out about the new scoring system
The post A Whole New Credit Score Is Coming—Are You Prepared? appeared first on…

The annual percentage rate, or APR, is how much you’ll pay in interest and other fees when you get a mortgage to buy a home.
The post What Is an APR? Annual Percentage Rate, Explained appeared first on Real Estate News &…

“PMI” is an acronym you might hear your Realtor bandy about when you’re buying a home. So what exactly is private mortgage insurance?
The post What Is PMI? Private Mortgage Insurance, Explained appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®….

Real estate agent fees are how most real estate agents are paid for the homes they sell. Who pays the real estate agent fees: the buyer or the seller?
The post Real Estate Agent Fees: Who Pays the Bill? appeared first on Real…

What is a mortgage? We take a look at the process of getting a mortgage and some key terms you need to know to get the best mortgage for you.
The post What Is a Mortgage? Home Loan Basics Explained appeared first…

What is a reverse mortgage? Most home buyers know what a mortgage is, but a reverse mortgage may seem far less familiar.
The post What Is a Reverse Mortgage? The Real Risks and Rewards, Revealed appeared first on Real Estate News…

What is a good credit score to buy a house? When you’re trying to get a mortgage, a high number helps, but how low can you go and still have a good credit score?
The post What Is a Good Credit Score…

Buying a house is exciting, but signing the mortgage is terrifying. Follow this mortgage advice from our experts—they know what works in 2019.
The post That’s So 2018! Outdated Mortgage Advice You Should Ignore Right Now appeared first on Real Estate News…

Is mortgage pre-approval necessary to make an offer on a house? No, but if you want to be taken seriously and stand out from any competing bids, it’ll help.
The post Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter Necessary To Make An Offer on a…

Getting a mortgage all starts with arming yourself with the right info about the home loan application process. Here are three things you need to know.
The post 3 Things You’d Better Know Before Applying for a Mortgage—or Else appeared first on…

Michelle Perry Higgins was one of many who lost a home in the Northern California fires. These are the financial lessons she learned.
The post What We Learned From Losing Our Home in the California Fires appeared first on Real Estate…

Most home buyers wait to talk to a mortgage lender until they’re ready to buy. But that may be way too late! Here’s why to do it now.
The post 5 Reasons to Talk to a Lender Right Now—Long Before You Buy…

A credit freeze can keep your money safe, but it can pose problems if you need a mortgage to buy a home. Here’s the right way to navigate the home loan process with frozen credit.
The post Can You Get a Mortgage…

How long does it take to improve your credit score? That depends on the steps you take to improve your credit. Read on to find out more.
The post How Long Does It Take to Improve Your Credit Score Enough to Buy…

What is a special assessment? It’s an added fee that can crop up for owners of a condo, co-op, or home belonging to a homeowners association (HOA). 
The post What Is a Special Assessment? Condo and Co-op Buyers Beware appeared first on Real…

With all the mortgage advice out there, it’s a challenge to sort through it all. Here’s a roundup of the best mortgage advice homeowners have received.
The post ‘The Best Mortgage Advice I’ve Heard, Ever’ appeared first on Real Estate News &…

How long does it take to build credit? For a mortgage, anywhere from a few months to a few years. Here are tips to speed things up.
The post How Long Does It Take to Build Credit History From Scratch? appeared first…