Entries by Loan Processing

Your Guide to Down Payment Assistance

As you may know, saving for a competitive down payment was one of the primary obstacles homebuyers faced in 2023. With high prices and rising mortgage rates, many buyers have turned to down payment assistance (DPA) for relief. But while DPA can reduce upfront costs and make homeownership more accessible, it’s not necessarily for everyone. […]

Should You Buy or Sell a Home in Winter?

Traditionally, wintertime is a downtime for the real estate market. The weather is colder, wetter and often messy, which can be a little off-putting for potential homebuyers and sellers. But despite these seasonal challenges, winter can actually be advantageous for anyone interested in buying or selling a home. In fact, winter can offer buyers and […]

How to Know When You’ve Outgrown a Home

When you purchased your home, it felt like a dream come true. Now, it feels like you’re waking up to a not-so-rosy reality. Why is that so? You may be outgrowing your home. As a household’s size, preferences and priorities change over time, a once ideal living space can start to feel unlivable. Upgrades and […]

How Does the Prime Rate Impact Loans?

In 2022, the prime rate went up by 4 points, going from 3.5% to 7.5%. This happened because the Federal Reserve wanted to better manage inflation. By July 2023, the prime rate had gone up to 8.5% But what does all of this actually mean? What is the prime rate, and how does it impact […]

Are You Financially Prepared for a Home?

Homeownership is a significant milestone in many people’s lives. It’s not just about finding the perfect house; it’s also about ensuring that your finances are in order to support this long-term commitment. This newsletter will help guide you through some essential steps to prepare your finances for homeownership: 1. Assess Your Financial Situation: Calculate your monthly […]

Getting a Mortgage With Student Debt

More than 43 million Americans have student loans. So if you’re hoping to buy a home with student loans in tow, you’re not alone. Fortunately, student loans are treated just like any other debt when applying for a mortgage. While having lots of debt can certainly make the process more challenging, it doesn’t disqualify you […]

Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

Low-income, first-time homebuyers may qualify for a low-interest, deferred payment loan of up to 17% of the purchase price for down payment assistance and 4%, up to $10,000 in closing costs assistance. Overview The loan funds must be used to pay a down payment and closing costs on the purchase. The home you buy must […]