Marissa Crum
Staff Writer
Marissa Crum is a Content Marketing Specialist with 4 years of experience creating real estate and mortgage content. For the past 2 years, she has focused on home financing topics, writing educational guides that help readers understand mortgage options, affordability considerations, and the financial aspects of buying and renting a home.
Her work centers on answering common borrower questions and reflecting current lending practices, with a focus on making complex mortgage concepts easier to understand. She collaborates with subject-matter experts and internal teams to ensure her content is accurate, compliant, and grounded in real-world lending considerations.
Based in Los Angeles, Marissa brings a market-aware perspective to national housing topics, particularly in high-cost metros where affordability plays a central role in housing decisions.
Recent Articles
7-minute read
How to make an offer on a house in 5 steps
Learn how to make an offer on a house, choose a fair price, add key contingencies, and submit a strong bid. Start your mortgage application with us today.
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6-minute read
What is delayed financing?
Learn what delayed financing is, how it works after a cash home purchase, key requirements, pros and cons, and next steps to see if it fits your goals.
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6-minute read
What are lender credits?
What are lender credits? Learn how they can lower closing costs, raise your mortgage rate, and affect long-term costs before you apply for a home loan.
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8-minute read
How many times can you use a VA loan?
Wondering how many times can you use a VA loan? Learn reuse rules, entitlement, multiple VA loans, and next steps, then explore VA loan options today.
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7-minute read
Mortgage credit certificate: How MCCs work
What is a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)? This federal tax credit can help first-time buyers save money. Learn how MCCs work, who qualifies, and how to apply...
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8-minute read
HOA special assessment: What it is and how it works
Learn what an HOA special assessment is, why associations charge them, who pays at closing, and how home buyers can spot hidden risks before purchasing.
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10-minute read
How to buy a cabin or cottage: A step-by-step guide
Buying a cabin in the woods or a cottage by the beach can be a dream come true with the right financial strategy. Learn more about financing options.
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11-minute read
What is a condo? Condominiums defined
What is a condo? Learn how condo ownership works, what fees cover, how condos compare with apartments and townhouses, and how to decide if buying one fits.
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11-minute read
Escrow holdback: Repair rules, costs, and closing steps
Learn how an escrow holdback works, which home repairs qualify, who funds the account, and what happens after closing. Keep your home closing right on track.
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