A Guide To Loan Estimates (Or “Good Faith Estimates”)

Mortgage Basics - 12-minute read

Kevin Graham - October 26, 2023

A loan estimate provides important information about the mortgage you have applied for including loan terms, costs and more. Read about loan estimates here.

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What Is The Average Mortgage Payment?

Mortgage Basics - 4-minute read

Katie Ziraldo - October 25, 2023

Wondering what you can expect for your monthly mortgage payments? Learn about what the average mortgage payments are and what factors affect them.

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Gifting Property: Your Options Explained

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Jamie Johnson - October 21, 2023

You’re on a lifelong quest to make your child’s life better than your own. Learn how to gift real estate equity to your loved one in both life and death.

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How To Shop For A Mortgage: 5 Steps

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Ashley Kilroy - October 20, 2023

Are you planning to buy a house? One of the first steps to the process is securing a mortgage loan. Learn how to shop around and find the best rate.

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Mortgage Insurance: Definition, Different Types And Cost

Mortgage Basics - 5-minute read

Victoria Araj - October 20, 2023

Mortgage insurance protects lenders against default on home loans. Learn more about the different types of mortgage insurance, how much it costs and more.

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What Is Loan-To-Value Ratio (LTV) And How Is It Calculated?

Mortgage Basics - 5-minute read

Miranda Crace - October 20, 2023

Your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) measures your loan amount against the value of the home you’re buying. Learn more about LTV ratio, and how it's calculated. 

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Real Estate Investing: How Many Mortgages Can You Have?

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Melissa Brock - October 18, 2023

Wondering if you can have multiple mortgages? Discover how many mortgages Fannie Mae allows a real estate investor to take out with the right strategy.

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What Is PMI? Private Mortgage Insurance Defined And Explained

Mortgage Basics - 9-minute read

Andrew Dehan - October 11, 2023

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be a tricky subject, so we broke down what PMI insurance is, how much it costs and whether it’s the right option for you.

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Home Equity Loan Vs. Mortgage: What’s The Difference?

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Sidney Richardson - October 11, 2023

A home equity loan and a mortgage loan are different loan types in the homeownership journey. Learn the differences between the two and when to use them.

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Closing Disclosure: What It Is And How To Read The Form

Mortgage Basics - 12-minute read

Andrew Dehan - October 10, 2023

Your Closing Disclosure is an important mortgage document, but it can be difficult to interpret. We broke down the essential components in this complete guide.

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Letter Of Explanation: Why It’s Important And How To Write One With Your Mortgage Application

Mortgage Basics - 7-minute read

Hanna Kielar - October 09, 2023

A letter of explanation can be important in the mortgage underwriting and application process. Learn when and how you’ll need to create an explanation letter.

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Historical Mortgage Rates: 1971 To The Present

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Kevin Graham - October 06, 2023

Historical mortgage rates fluctuate, particularly in uncertain and inflationary times. Learn more about historical mortgage rates from the 1970s to the present.

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How To Fix Your Credit Score In 6 Steps

Mortgage Basics - 7-minute read

Victoria Araj - October 02, 2023

Ready to bump up your credit score? We’ll help you understand what your credit score means and walk you through how to increase your credit score in six steps.

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What Does 'Pending' Mean In Real Estate?

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Jamie Johnson - October 02, 2023

If you’ve been house hunting, you might have wondered “what does ‘pending’ mean on a real estate listing?” Read on to discover what this status signifies.

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Mortgage Fraud: What You Need To Know

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Katie Ziraldo - October 02, 2023

Mortgage fraud is when someone lies or omits information to get loan approval or favorable terms. Read all about mortgage fraud.

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What Is A Step-Up In Basis And How Can I Get One?

Mortgage Basics - 4-minute read

Sarah Sharkey - September 28, 2023

If you’re deciding between gifting your home or bequeathing it, you may want to weigh the tax implications first. Learn how a step-up in basis benefits heirs.

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How The Federal Funds Rate Affects Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Basics - 5-minute read

Scott Steinberg - September 22, 2023

The federal funds rate helps regulate the U.S. economy, but it can also affect your mortgage rates. Learn how it can affect you as a home buyer and homeowner.

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Promissory Notes, Defined And Explained

Mortgage Basics - 5-minute read

Hanna Kielar - September 22, 2023

A promissory note is a repayment agreement between a borrower and lender, but how does it differ from a loan? Read on to see how promissory notes work.

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