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 […]

Conventional 97 (3.0% Down) or FHA (3.5% Down) – Which is Better?

If a low down payment mortgage is your preference, there are two programs that might suit your needs. The Conventional 97, a Fannie Mae product, and the FHA loan. They’re both very similar and even more so beyond the low down payment. If you’re eligible for both programs, there are some questions to ask to […]

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 […]

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 […]

The VA Funding Fee Waiver: How It Works

When you and I first begin speaking about using your VA eligibility to buy and finance a home, you can also request a Loan Estimate which will itemize potential closing costs you’ll encounter at the closing table. As you might be aware, borrowers using their VA eligibility status to finance the property are restricted from […]

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 […]

How to Calculate a Jumbo VA Loan Amount

If you’re eligible for a VA loan and want to come to the closing table with as little money as possible, a VA loan is going to be hard to beat and for several reasons. The most popular is probably not requiring a down payment. That is at least up to the maximum VA loan […]

Down Payment Assistance is Here

Saving up enough money for a down payment and closing costs is typically the single biggest challenge when buying real estate, especially so for those buying their very first home. There are low down payment programs which can ask for as little as 3.5 percent down, such as the FHA program, as well as zero […]

What Exactly Is a VA “No-No?”

A VA No-No is kind of a funny name and it’s possible you’ve heard the term but unless you’re in the mortgage business or in real estate, but most likely you haven’t. The term has been used for decades and applies to a certain type of purchase transaction when someone is using their VA eligibility […]