Why Portfolio Loans are Important

There is a term in the mortgage industry called “portfolio lending” and it’s a specific type of home loan program that caters to a particular situation. Portfolio loans are so important that without it the real estate industry would suffer. What is a portfolio loan? It’s a loan that does not fit into any secondary […]

Does a Mortgage Broker Cost More? How Do They Get Paid?

There are different ways to get a new mortgage. A bank will offer a mortgage, so too will mortgage bankers. Each has its very own department that decides which loans to offer and what rates and fees to charge. A bank offers various financial services such as checking and savings accounts while a mortgage banker […]

5 Questions First-Time Homebuyers Need to Ask

Buying a first home is probably the biggest financial decision someone can make. For those who already own their own homes they can relate. It’s a process that can be explained upfront but until someone goes through it, experience is the ultimate teacher. Finding, buying and financing a home can be a rather drawn out […]

The Streamline Refinance Explained

Have you heard of the term “streamline refinance”? Lenders certainly have and when you discover what this process actually is, you may very well decide it’s time to refinance after all. A streamline refinance is where an existing mortgage is completely replaced by a new one. The term was originally coined when the Federal Housing […]

When are Government-Backed Loan Programs the Best Choice?

There are three government-backed loan programs available today: The USDA, VA and  FHA loan programs. They’re referred to as a government-backed loan because the lender is guaranteed to be compensated should the loan ever go into default. Each of these three has their own special niche that is filled. USDA Loans USDA loans are used […]

USDA Loan: How to Finance a Property in a Rural Area

Many mortgage programs like to have a loan application that checks off all the boxes. This means approving both the property as well as the borrower. The property is approved primarily by reviewing the property appraisal. The appraisal contains a wealth of information about the property including the general condition of the home, a legal […]

7 Reasons You Should Use a Mortgage Broker

A mortgage broker is an individual or a business that discovers and arranges financing for their clients. I’m a mortgage broker and my fiduciary responsibility is to you. There are multiple places to obtain a home loan from your local bank to an online lender but a mortgage broker has distinct advantages that other lending […]

Interest Rates: Is the Fed Changing Its Tune?

It appears that, while not backtracking, the Federal Reserve has indeed changed its tune regarding their policy on interest rates. The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, wrapped up its most recent two-day meetings this past January 30. The FOMC meets about every six weeks to review the current state of the economy, review recent […]

Top 3 Government-Backed Mortgage Loans

Financing a primary residence means having the most financing options available in today’s marketplace. For those wanting to buy and finance investment real estate there are fewer albeit very competitive choices. But with a primary residence, there are plenty and are divided into two basic categories- conventional and government-backed mortgage loans. A conventional loan is […]

Bank Statement Loans Explained

Bank Statement Loan Explained   Have you heard of a Bank Statement Mortgage? Most mortgage loans require bank statements to verify sufficient funds to close on a transaction. A complete bank statement provides third-party verification that the applicant has enough funds for a down payment, related closing costs and cash reserves all belonging to the […]