Overlays Explained

What are Overlays? An Overlay is a mortgage industry term. In simple terms, overlays are additional qualifying requirements on top of the guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as FHA, VA and USDA. These guidelines are set forth for several reasons but one is to provide lenders with mortgage program stability. […]

Refinancing? Better to Close Sooner vs. Later

To understand how refinancing works when the loan closes, it’s important to understand how a purchase loan closes first. By comparing the two different processes, Home Purchase: How it Works on Closing Day The final settlement date for a purchase is listed directly on the sales contract. Once the contract is executed by both parties, […]

Refinancing: The Risks of Waiting

If you’ve been thinking of refinancing, the risks of waiting might not be worth it. Lately, it’s a good move to go ahead especially for those who have been on the fence over the past few months. The market has been relatively positive for interest rates as mortgage rates in general have been floating in […]

How to Get a Divorced Spouse off the Mortgage

When two people decide it’s time to buy a home together, in today’s environment and in many markets it takes two incomes in order to qualify for the home they really want. That means both will appear on the same mortgage application. Unfortunately when the decision is made to get divorced, there are a lot […]

Paying Off Credit Card Balances vs. Closing the Accounts

With While mortgage lenders review a loan application, affordability is determined. Affordability can sometimes be a moving target as different loan programs may have different acceptable levels of debt. Paying off credit card balances might seem important, but lenders look at things differently. There are two primary types of debt, installment and revolving. Installment debt […]

Marriage, Legal Separation and Your Mortgage

The phrase, “’til death do us part” is one we’ve all heard. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t last that long. When a couple decides to separate, either legally or informally, there are different options to consider. Do they simply need some time apart to figure things out independently? Maybe have a little “breather” in order to […]

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 […]

Thinking of Refinancing? Start Your Application In Now

Mortgage rates are still very low and refinancing options are better than ever. For many, the decision whether or not to refinance your mortgage is fairly easy. This is something I can do with you over the phone. Simply compare the difference in monthly payments and divide that into the amount of closing costs needed […]

VA Eligibility Restoration: How It Works

There’s really no question the VA home loan is the premier option for those who are eligible and want to come to the closing table with as little cash as possible. In fact, the VA home loan doesn’t require a down payment at all. Zero. The only other loan program that doesn’t need any type […]

Closing Costs: What Your Lender Can Control and What Your Lender Can’t

When consumers start talking about mortgage loans, the two most important topics are almost always the prevailing interest rate for the loan program they’ve chosen and closing costs. Yes, there certainly are other considerations but in most every instance these two items get the most attention, and rightly so. After all, the interest rate on […]