Jumbo Loan Limits for 2021: Shop with Confidence

Earlier this year, jumbo loan limits increased to $548,250 in most of the U.S. and up to $822,275 in high-cost areas. Why does this matter? Jumbo loan limits put mortgages in two distinct buckets: conforming home loans and non-conforming home loans. Depending on your homeownership goals, you might want to shop within conforming limits so […]

Primary Residence: The Real Definition and Why it Matters

First, primary residence and principal residence mean the same thing. So when we talk about mortgages, primary residence and principal residence are interchangeable terms. What is a Primary Residence? In short, a primary residence is the main location where a person lives. It could be a home, condo, apartment, or even a boat. The main defining criteria are simple: […]

Financing a Condotel Loan (It’s Easier Than You Might Think)

If you’re having trouble getting a condotel loan or financing a luxury condominium, you’re not alone. Many property owners and investors are looking to diversify their portfolios while rates are still low. But conventional guideline restrictions on condotels and non-warrantable condos have made it a little more challenging to apply and get approved. Well-qualified borrowers […]

How to Apply: No Income Verification Loan in 2021

If you’re self-employed, have a high net worth, or want to apply for a mortgage without having to verify your income, then the no income verification loan might be worth considering. Just like it sounds, a no income verification loan doesn’t require proof of regular income to qualify. Qualifying criteria are much more stringent, but […]

How to Use Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as Qualifying Income Toward Your Mortgage

Does your employer offer restricted stock units as part of your compensation package? Recently, a client asked if they could use restricted stock units as qualifying income to apply for a home loan. It’s becoming more common for big tech companies like Amazon and Google and large corporations to offer company stock to their employees. […]

Will Mortgage Rates Rise With Inflation and For How Long?

Mortgage rates are starting to fluctuate, and there are a lot of predictions floating around about rising mortgage rates. But the pandemic has taught us that nothing is for sure. Trends that used to be predictable are in question. So how can we know whether or not mortgage rates are going to rise or stay […]

Is Buying a Home a Smart Move Right Now?

For a lot of people, this has been the year of transition. Work from home, back to the office, zoom school, back to campus, hybrid everything, and each month there’s a new set of rules. The big question I’ve heard a lot—is buying a home still a smart move? Is now a bad time to […]

Lower Your Mortgage Payment with the FHA Streamline Refinance

The FHA Streamline Refinance is one of the fastest and easiest ways to lower your monthly mortgage payment and save you money. This type of home loan refinance is only available to homeowners who currently have an FHA home loan, so it’s worth finding out if you qualify. For homeowners who have an existing FHA […]

How to Cancel PMI and Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is typically required for homeowners who put less than 20% down toward their home loan. In general, private mortgage insurance (PMI) is 0.5 – 1.5% of the total loan amount and is tacked onto the monthly mortgage payment. It can easily add a few hundred dollars to your mortgage payment every […]