Sarah Li Cain
Contributing writer
Sarah Li Cain is Accredited Financial Counselor® and a finance and business writer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Her journey in personal finance started when she moved to the US and had to navigate the world of personal finance like banking and how to purchase a home. This led to her passion helping others understand how to navigate financial topics such as building a credit score, comparing loan options, and relevant topics for first-time home buyers and sellers. She pursued the Accredited Financial Counselor designation to further her knowledge in the personal finance space. Sarah's goal is to break down financial topics in a way that's digestible and straightforward to understand.
Recent Articles
3-minute read
Recording fees, defined and explained
What are recording fees, how much will they cost you, and what will happen if you don’t pay them? Find all the answers in our guide to recording fees.
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5-minute read
Solid offers come with a Verified Approval Letter
A Verified Approval Letter shows the seller that your offer should be taken seriously. Learn how a VAL can be an advantage that gets your home offer accepted.
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5-minute read
What is delayed financing for cash deals?
If you purchase a home with cash, you may still qualify for a mortgage. Learn about delayed financing, how it works for cash deals, and if it’s right for ...
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7-minute read
Escrow refund: What is it and when does it occur?
Learn what an escrow refund is, when it happens, and what to do with it so you can plan ahead and make the most of any surplus in your mortgage account.
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7-minute read
What home buyers need to know about appraisal gaps
An appraisal gap occurs when a home appraisal comes in lower than an accepted offer. Learn more about what an appraisal gap is and how this process works.
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5-minute read
10 essential strategies to compete with cash buyers in a hot market
Discover effective strategies to make your mortgage-backed offer compete with cash buyers. Learn how to strengthen your position in a competitive market.
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7-minute read
What does “coming soon” mean on real estate listings?
Some real estate agents will list a home as “coming soon” before it hits the market. Learn about “coming soon” real estate listings and ...
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7-minute read
What is an acceleration clause in real estate?
An acceleration clause in a mortgage means that your mortgage balance becomes due if you default on payments. Learn how a mortgage acceleration clause works.
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3-minute read
What is the NMLS, and how can I get my license?
The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System, or NMLS, is a database of licensed mortgage loan originators. Learn more about the NMLS and how to get a license.
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