The Dangers of Trying to Prequalify Yourself

Sometimes the term ‘prequalify’ is used incorrectly in the mortgage world. It can be a bit disconcerting, especially with multiple non-lender sites that ‘prequalify’ someone without even speaking with an experienced loan officer. Trying to fly solo in this area can mean someone who in fact can qualify for a home loan could be told […]

How to Craft the Perfect Explanation Letter

In the mortgage industry, it’s referred to as an Explanation Letter. After someone submits a loan application to a lender, the lender might want some further explanation regarding an item that appears on a credit report or some other piece of documentation in the file. While a bit unsettling, such a request is fairly common […]

Answers to the Most Common Lender Questions About Your Application

Often when a mortgage lender reaches out to an applicant after the loan has been submitted, the applicant’s first response is often, ‘Oh no, what do they need?’ After all, along with the initial application there was an additional amount of documentation the lender needed in order to process the loan. But in most instances […]

What Counts in Your Debt Ratios

Debt ratios are utilized by lenders during the loan approval process. It’s an important piece, just one of several. Other factors such as credit, employment and assets are also pieces of the approval puzzle. Debt ratios on the other hand are the primary tool to determine affordability. Today, most loan programs set the guidelines for […]

These 5 Things Can Stop Your Loan Application in Its Tracks

Once your loan application is submitted, the application is documented with some personal financial information from you such as paycheck stubs and/or tax returns, bank statements and W2 forms. In addition to your personal information, various third party services are ordered in preparation for submitting the application for an approval. The loan application is reviewed […]

The ABCs of Financing a Rental Property

Financing a rental property is much like financing a primary residence or vacation home. The funding sources are pretty much the same and most lenders follow the same general set of guidelines. Most such loan programs are underwritten to standards set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, although there are also other lenders who offer […]

Lender Questions? Keep Calm and Answer On

When consumers first complete and then submit a loan application, the initial thought might be that the work has been done and now we’re just waiting on loan papers.  Further along in the approval process, common lender questions will often come up. The fact however is that loan submission is one of the early steps […]

Insider Tips for a Fast Close on Your Home

Want to close fast? There are certainly lots of things people can do to accelerate the closing process. A fast close can help with the negotiation process. Sellers who see that someone has already applied for a mortgage means the buyers are not only serious about an offer but have taken the extra step and […]

For Sale By Owner: Do You Really Save Money?

Listing your property as For Sale By Owner can sound easier than working with traditional realtors. So can you really save money and stress deciding to list your property as For Sale By Owner? Closing Costs and Fees There are closing costs associated when selling a home. There’s no secret in that. All you have […]

Freddie Mac Weekly Mortgage Rate Surveys and What They Mean

It pretty much happens the same way every week. Data is released to the public as well as various media regarding the direction of residential mortgage rates. Where does this data come from? There are several rate surveys but the one most referred to by far is the one performed by secondary mortgage giant Freddie […]