Buying a house can be a source of tremendous stress for many. It’s extremely common to feel overwhelmed and nervous about specific aspects of the process. Luckily, there are some answers to the scariest questions to help ease your mind. Here are some of the biggest homebuying fears and what to do about them: “What if I don’t...

If you have a VA loan, the U.S. government has options in place to assist you in case of financial hardship. There are multiple programs available to help you avoid late payments and foreclosure if your mortgage meets eligibility. Here are the major veteran mortgage relief options to know: Refund Modification A refund modification affects the principal and...

Seller financing is an excellent option for some property buyers and sellers. However, no matter the type of financing the seller offers, they are taking on a sizable amount of risk. Underwriting and supplementing a mortgage means dealing with the consequences if the buyer defaults on the loan. This is one reason many sellers hesitate to offer financing....

Photo by 200 Degrees via Pixabay The gig economy has exploded over the past decade. Today, around 36% of the US workforce is freelancing and many more or self-employed small business owners. While being your own boss does afford you great freedom to set your hours and often work where you want, you may face extra scrutiny when...

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay A land contract and a mortgage have a number of similarities. For example, you can use either option to purchase a home Both loans must be repaid on a monthly basis. Understanding the Differences A land contract is a legal agreement between a buyer and a seller. Rather than a traditional mortgage...

Photo by Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock Often, when discussing ways to get out of debt, the subject of “mortgage versus investments” comes up. If you have a mortgage, your monthly budget likely revolves around paying it first, meaning investment ideas take a back seat. One way to free money up to invest is to pay off the mortgage, and...

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay Property buyers today may think of a credit union as an alternative form of lending and ultimately meant for people who don't fit the stereotypical borrower. But this assumption may a little unfair once you learn the facts. Credit unions present several unique opportunities that you simply won't find anywhere else. We'll...

Image by annca from Pixabay You’ve finally found the perfect home. It’s got the number of bedrooms you wanted, a spacious kitchen, updated bathrooms, and even a beautiful vegetable garden out back. Now comes the tricky part—how to pay for it. Numerous home buyers find financing their mortgages through a credit union to be a good option. According...

Photo by Nattanan Kanchanaprat via Pixabay If you’re in the market to purchase a home, it can be a confusing process. Interest rates, types of loans and what may apply to you can all sound like a foreign language. It’s always best to have some background knowledge before going to see a mortgage broker to make sure you’re...

Image by Precondo CA from Unsplash Buying your first home can be stressful enough without worrying about whether or not your mortgage loan pre-approval is going to go through. You may not be prepared for the mountains of paperwork that you'll need to submit before a lender gives you the thumbs' up. That's why it's such a good...

Securing a mortgage can be quite challenging if you do not meet specific requirements and demands made by the lenders. But really, you can’t blame lenders or mortgage companies for setting up these rules. Most of these demands are made to ensure the borrower can repay a loan without too much of a problem. Everyone has one or...

Potential home buyers should obtain a pre-qualification letter from their lenders to access a home loan. This letter communicates what the lender thinks about you being qualified for a mortgage up to a certain amount and is dependent on the data you gave about your assets, income, and expenses. Pre-qualification is just the primary step, and it provides...