Buying Categories

Preapproved Versus Prequalified

Preapproved Versus Prequalified

Though prequalified and preapproved sound like similar terms, they actually mean different things in the mortgage industry, depending on the creditor and the type of loan or credit. Many creditors use the terms interchangeably, but they are, in fact, different. Despite whether the buyer is trying to get prequalified or preapproved, a creditor must do…

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Understanding DTI

Understanding DTI

Mortgage companies often require specific documents to analyze the borrower’s financial situation prior to approval. One of the most important aspects of getting approved for a mortgage is your credit score, which shows how well the borrower can meet their financial obligations. In addition to considering your credit score, lenders look at the borrower’s DTI…

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All About Open Houses

All About Open Houses

What’s an open house? We’re not talking about graduation parties here; instead, we are referring to homes on the market. Open houses are public, informal events hosted by real estate agents or sellers. Typically lasting between one- to three hours, the doors are quite literally “open” for people to browse the house at their leisure….

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What are No-Doc Loans?

What are No-Doc Loans?

Borrowers looking to get approved for a mortgage and cannot show income verification are perfect candidates for no-doc loans. This type of mortgage loan does not require tax returns or income verification. To qualify for a no-doc mortgage loan, borrowers have to show adequate credit history, real estate investment experience, and liquid assets, which are…

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Using Gift Money for a Down Payment

Using Gift Money for a Down Payment

Did you recently receive a monetary gift and want to use it toward a down payment? That extra cash might be helpful when exploring options in making that initial up-front parital payment. Gift money could be the extra boost you need to achieve homeownership. Gift money can come from relatives, defined as the borrower’s spouse,…

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What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?

What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?

The term HOA stands for Homeowners Association, which you might have heard in passing conversations or in real estate discussions. HOAs affect homeowners in many ways. If you are looking to purchase a home with an HOA, you might want to brush up on your knowledge to learn how it will affect you. HOAs are…

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Qualifying for a Mortgage While Self-Employed

Qualifying for a Mortgage While Self-Employed

Self-employed applicants looking to purchase a home will have to fill out the same paperwork as those not self-employed, and lenders look at the same aspects such as credit score, debt, assets, income, etc. So what’s the difference between a self-employed applicant and everyone else? When working for a company or business, lenders will verify…

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Early October is the Perfect Time for Homebuyers

Early October is the Perfect Time for Homebuyers

If you have been eyeing a new home or thinking about buying, now is the time. Headlines skim past buyers as the seller’s market has been steaming hot. Bidding wars have been on the rise due to low mortgage rates and price appreciation. Thankfully, there are clear signs that buyer opportunities are increasing during autumn….

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Choosing a New Home Based on Remote Work

Choosing a New Home Based on Remote Work

The rise in remote work has changed drastically throughout 2020 and into 2021 due to COVID-19. If you think working from home is a passing fad, it isn’t. A survey by Statista and Upwork projected that 37.5 percent of United States employees would work remotely in the next five years, up from 21 percent before…

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