Navigating the mortgage landscape requires understanding the fundamental categories of home loans, primarily the distinction between conventional conf...
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In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate financing, an often-overlooked option presents a unique opportunity for both buyers and sellers: the ass...
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Before you embark on the journey of applying for a mortgage, there is one crucial number you must know: your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. This single...
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The down payment stands as one of the most significant initial hurdles in the journey to homeownership. While the allure of a 20% down payment is ofte...
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For many aspiring homeowners, the path to purchasing a house can feel blocked by the significant financial hurdles of a large down payment and stringe...
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For prospective homeowners eyeing luxury properties or those shopping in competitive real estate markets, the price tag often exceeds the limits of a ...
Read MoreYou should proactively check your credit reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at least once a year. You can do this for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. When preparing for a major loan like a mortgage, it’s wise to check your reports 6-12 months in advance to give yourself time to dispute errors and make improvements.
Yes, typically they do. Lenders view a 15-year mortgage as less risky because the loan is repaid in a shorter timeframe. This reduced risk is often rewarded with an interest rate that is 0.25% to 0.75% lower than the rate for a comparable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.
You can lower your DTI by either decreasing your debt or increasing your income:
Pay down existing debts, especially credit card balances and personal loans.
Avoid taking on new debt (e.g., don’t finance a new car before applying for a mortgage).
Increase your income by taking on a side job or working overtime, if possible.
Ask for a raise at your current job.
Lenders typically require an escrow account to protect their financial interest in your property. By ensuring that property taxes and insurance are paid on time, the lender prevents situations like tax liens (which take priority over the mortgage) or uninsured damage from a fire or storm, both of which could jeopardize the value of the property that secures the loan.
A properly executed rate lock is a binding agreement, and the lender cannot revoke it or change the rate during the lock period, provided you close on time and your financial situation does not change materially (e.g., your credit score drops significantly or you change the loan amount).
