Mortgage

May 9, 2017When deciding where to live, you’re going to take into account a number of factors. And if you’re one of the 43.3 million households in America who have at least one dog, there’s no doubt you’ll include your cuddly canine in the equation. Dog owners will want to make sure the place they call home is… read more…

May 3, 2017Marching. Donating to your favorite causes. Calling your congressman. You may be wondering what else you can do to make a difference in the current political climate. What about moving? Some 2016 congressional races were so tight that just a few thousand votes decided to winner. SmartAsset crunched the numbers to find the places in… read more…

April 27, 2017When it comes to paid family leave, the United States is behind the curve. The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world without a paid parental leave policy for new parents in place at the national level. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 12% of private sector workers had access to… read more…

April 26, 2017Do you still need to pay for mortgage insurance if you get a VA loan? The short answer is no. There is no monthly mortgage insurance with VA loans. Unlike regular loans, which require mortgage insurance if you put less… read more…

April 26, 2017Foreclosed houses can offer homebuyers a chance to invest in the housing market for far less money than they would normally be able to. But those steep discounts often come with some risk. There are often legal holdups making the foreclosure market different than the rest of the housing market and there is no guarantee that… read more…

April 24, 2017Veterans and service members who want access to VA benefits must provide certain documentation. For example, members of the National Guard who want to qualify for the VA home loan program must submit a Certificate of Eligibility and NGB Form 22. Not… read more…

April 21, 2017VA loans aren’t for everyone. They’re designed to make it easier for active and retired military personnel to buy homes. While you may qualify for a VA loan, lenders can’t just take your word for it. If you know you’re… read more…

April 17, 2017Looking for an affordable home? If so, you may be wondering whether buying a pre-foreclosure home could help you land a bargain on your home purchase. Browsing real estate listings will show you that there are plenty of pre-foreclosure listings.… read more…

April 14, 2017The home buying process can seem exciting and daunting at the same time. There are many hoops that you’ll have to jump through and many homes that you’ll have to consider. If you’re trying to save money, purchasing a mobile… read more…

April 13, 2017If you’re a veteran who wants to take out a loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, you must be able to prove that you qualify for the VA loan program. In order to be eligible for a VA home loan, you must meet certain requirements. You’ll also be expected to present a Certificate… read more…

April 12, 2017Repossessed houses are houses that have fallen into default. If a homeowner can’t keep up with his or her mortgage payments, the bank may repossess the home. This process is also known as foreclosure. But what happens to repossessed houses… read more…

April 12, 2017States across the country are going green amid growing concerns about climate change. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 40 states (and Washington, D.C.) have implemented energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. And around 15% of the energy-efficient bills considered by legislatures in 2015 were enacted, up from around 12.5%… read more…

April 11, 2017Finding the house of your dreams can take some time. And if you’re a veteran who’s looking to buy a home, you may not find anything that meets your needs. If that happens, your next best option is to buy a… read more…

April 10, 2017A loan officer decides which would-be borrowers are eligible to proceed to loan underwriting. The loans in question could be mortgages, small business loans or personal loans. Loan officers meet with applicants and are responsible for determining applicants’ creditworthiness. Want to learn more about what loan officers do? You’re in the right place. Thinking of… read more…

April 6, 2017So you’ve found a home that you’re ready to buy. You’ve had the house inspected and appraised. But before you can move in, you’ll need to get to the closing table and make some final payments. Closing costs usually include… read more…

April 5, 2017Today’s young adults are waiting to buy homes. A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors revealed that the average first-time homebuyer is in her early 30s. Most of the people surveyed agreed that a home is a worthwhile investment. But the percentage of primary homes purchased by first-time buyers was down to 32%.… read more…

April 4, 2017Running is more than a way to stay in shape. Sure, it’s great exercise, but runners also run as a way to explore new places, to test their limits and even participate in races to raise money for charity. Although running is one of the more accessible sports, not all cities are equal when it… read more…

March 31, 2017VA loans help servicemembers, veterans and qualified spouses take out government-backed home loans with benefits and support. In general, VA loans have low delinquency rates. In rare cases, however, a borrower with a VA loan falls behind in payments. Let us explain the VA foreclosure process.  Find out now: How much house can I afford?… read more…

March 28, 2017Cities like San Francisco and New York tend to dominate the headlines when it comes to exploding housing markets. But there are plenty of smaller housing markets with tons of potential that don’t get the recognition they deserve. These cities contain many of the right ingredients to become a valuable place to own a home. Read on as… read more…

March 24, 2017UPDATE: As of Dec. 31, 2018, the HARP program is no longer accepting applications. If you are facing an underwater mortgage, where your mortgage balance is higher than the free market value of your home, you have a few options. If… read more…

March 22, 2017The fight for equal rights for working women remains an uphill battle. That’s one reason why about 3 million people around the world recently participated in women’s marches and thousands took part in demonstrations on International Women’s Day. An analysis from the Center of American Progress estimated that A Day Without a Woman could have… read more…

March 21, 2017Wondering whether to apply for a conventional loan or an FHA loan? It’s important to understand the difference between the two loan types. The loan type you ultimately choose will depend on the type of home you want to buy,… read more…

March 20, 2017Anyone buying a house for the first time has to become familiar with various real estate terms. For example, you’ll need to understand the difference between being pre-qualified and preapproved for a mortgage. You’ll also need to understand how house… read more…

March 17, 2017Time and time again, financial advisors discuss the importance of having an emergency fund. No one wants to be surprised by an unexpected trip to the hospital or the car repair shop. If you’re not good at saving money, you… read more…

March 13, 2017Planning to build your own home or hire someone to build it for you? You may be wondering whether a construction loan is appropriate for your needs. Construction loans can be hard to get, but they’re one way to secure financing so you can build your dream home. Construction Loan Basics When you take out a… read more…