• The Disadvantages to a USDA Home Loan

    USDA home loans are favored among some first-time home buyers because they offer special incentives, such as not requiring a down payment, and are open to borrowers with low credit scores. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which like all government offices, requires an application...
  • How to Choose the Right Mortgage Lender

    Buying a home is one of the most important – and intimidating – financial decisions you can make, and picking a reputable lender who can work with you is a key part of it. Here are some steps to finding the right one. Get your financial house in order....
  • Mortgage Loans 101

    Mortgage loans are financial debt obligations people enter into with a bank, credit union, or other financial institution as a way of purchasing a home. Home loans are one of the most common ways to purchase a home today. Unless you have the cash in a bank account to...
  • What are Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans?

    Fixed-rate mortgages are the most widely used form of home mortgage loans. It is a basic arrangement in which the lender calculates the principal amount, using a single interest rate, and then divides the sum equally over an agreed period of years. The most popular terms are 30-year and...
  • The Advantages to a USDA Home Loan

    For those unfamiliar with the USDA home loan program, this loan is offered by the Department of Agriculture and is available to borrowers who live in or wish to purchase rural properties. Despite a large number of loan programs now available, many potential buyers are looking into USDA home...
  • FHA Loans: The Pros and Cons

    Those who are looking to purchase a home may have come across the term FHA loan and not know what it is. The acronym FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration. The loan is actually not a loan. It is government-backed insurance for the lender of a home loan. It...
  • What Home Loan Program Options Are Out There?

    For almost as long as there have been home loans, there are home loan programs to help potential and first-time home buyers purchase the home of their dreams. The recent decline in the economy and, particularly, in the real estate market has resulted in the development of many more...
  • What is a Second Mortgage Loan?

    Second mortgage loans are also referred to as a “junior-lien” or a “home equity loan.” This type of loan works by using your house as collateral while you still paying on your primary mortgage loan. If you need a little extra income, a second mortgage loan may be an...
  • When Should you Apply for a Second Mortgage Loan?

    If you are drowning in debt or you have major home repairs that need to be completed, you may be thinking about taking out a second mortgage. It’s understandable if you’re on the edge about this type of loan because it uses your home as collateral. Since it can...
  • Are Mortgage Calculators Useful when Applying for your Home Loan?

    Even with growing access to data that was formerly reserved only for the financial elite, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about how to use available financial tools to help reduce the anxiety inherent in the process of purchasing a home. Perhaps the most effective of these...
  • What You Need in a Second Mortgage Lender

    If you are trying to find a second mortgage lender, you should know what qualities to be looking for. There are many different lending options for this type of loan, which can make it tough to choose. Here are a few things you need to look for in a...
  • The Questions you Need your Mortgage Lender to Answer

    If you are in the process of purchasing a home or if you’re planning to build a home, it is likely that you will be working with a mortgage lender to arrange financing. The process of securing a home loan can be complicated and confusing. It is important to...
  • The Pros and Cons of a VA Home Loan

    As a veteran or service member, you are entitled to a number of valuable benefits, such as a VA loan. These loans are an attractive option for those who are looking to purchase a home in the near future. While there certainly are many advantages to a VA loan,...
  • Buying a Home with a VA Loan

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides active members of the military, veterans, and surviving spouses with VA loans that can help with a variety of housing matters. VA loans can be used for purchasing a home, building a new one, repairing and maintaining your current home, or updating...
  • What is a USDA Home Loan?

    With the housing market finally starting to regain footing, potential home buyers are in search of homes and mortgage loan programs. There are so many types of home loans out there, it’s hard to know which to choose. Maybe you’ve heard about the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)...
  • How you Can Calculate Mortgage Costs

    Calculating mortgage costs for yourself is actually much easier than it ever has been. Because of the prevalence of the Internet, you now have access that was previously only available to the financial elite. Chief among these tools is the online mortgage calculator that will allow you to break...