The Mortgage Report

JUNE 12, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? Verify your VA loan eligibility.

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VA loan FHA 203k rehab loan Loans FHA loan 40

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 9, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? How Much Home Can I Afford?

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FHA 203k rehab loan VA loan FHA loan Equity 40

RIS Media

OCTOBER 29, 2020

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backs the FHA loans program. FHA mortgage programs are one of the most popular among first-time homebuyers. There are numerous benefits to FHA loans. If you are a veteran or currently serving, the VA loans program offers great terms. Preapproval.

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Pre-approval FHA loan Inspection Closing costs 140

HomeLight

OCTOBER 22, 2021

It’s tough to say without a mortgage approval, but it always helps to start with a home affordability calculator. You may be wondering how affordability calculators work if you’re ready to get some numbers down on paper before showing up for a pre-qualification meeting with a lender. with an FHA loan.

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Pre-qualification Pre-approval VA loan FHA loan 111

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 9, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? How Much Home Can I Afford? Yes, prices rose about 3.4%

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FHA 203k rehab loan FHA loan VA loan Pre-approval 40

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 10, 2020

It is effortless to start looking at homes that you will later find you can’t afford when you try to get approved for a mortgage. When you actually try to get approval for a loan, you might find you don’t get the amount you anticipate if you have only been prequalified. Comparing a Mortgage Preapproval to Full Approval.

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Loans Mortgages Pre-approval Pre-qualification 144

Lab Coat Agents

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

How To Choose The Right Realtor There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a real estate agent. First, you want to ensure that the agent is experienced and knowledgeable about the area in which you are looking to buy or sell. Second, you want to make sure that the agent is someone you feel comfortable working with.

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FHA loan VA loan Pre-approval Fixed-rate mortgage 96

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

If the auction accepts financing, make sure you have a pre-approval ready. Youll need to coordinate with your real estate agent in order to tour these properties. Government-owned properties Some mortgages are government-backed, like VA loans and FHA loans.

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Pre-approval FHA loan Short sale Banks 35

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

For example, if you use a bank for your loan you may already have a pre-existing relationship with them and they sometimes offer very competitive interest rates. Have you tried calling a bank on a Saturday night to get a pre-approval letter? (585) 704-7095 Contact Now Search Homes Home Fair Housing S.O.P.

Finance 52

Finance Mortgages VA loan Pre-approval 52

Realty Biz

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

Are you wondering what to ask a buyer's agent before hiring them? Buyer agents play a crucial role in real estate transactions. Understanding the difference between buyer and seller's agents and how buyer's agents are compensated is essential. A few types of real estate agents are vital to understand.

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Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval Agents Pre-qualification 70

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

“The 203(k) loan is one of the best products in real estate when it’s used as an effective tool,” says Eric Forney , an Indianapolis real estate agent who sells his clients’ listings an average of 41% faster than the typical agent in his market. What’s a 203(k) loan? Who is eligible for a 203(k) loan?

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Loans FHA loan Pre-approval Finance 104

HomeLight

OCTOBER 5, 2020

According to Melanie Hunt , a top-selling real estate agent in Fort Worth, Texas , who has sold 74% more single-family homes than the average area agent, “Getting a preapproval is one of the most important things a buyer can do to improve their odds of securing a short sale.” And it’s even better if you can get pre-underwritten.

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Short sale Sales Pre-approval Pre-qualification 97

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

The mortgage insurance protects lenders in case the buyer defaults on the loan, allowing those lenders to serve more borrowers. Buyers with lower credit scores or lower down payments can sometimes get an FHA loan even if they can’t get approved for a conventional loan. First, find a real estate agent.

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Earnest money deposit FHA loan Pre-approval Finance 98

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

Some simple rules to remember on the different kinds of loans: – On VA loans, you can ask the seller to pay everything, meaning the buyer is making no down payment and paying no closing costs. – On FHA loans, the seller can pay almost any cost, but the buyer has to have a minimum 3% investment in the home/closing costs.

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Closing costs Closing Pre-approval VA loan 116

HomeLight

OCTOBER 27, 2020

If you are employed full-time, and your salaried job is your only source of income, you can usually get away with providing your W-2s and a paycheck stub when applying for a loan — you won’t need to provide tax returns. That’s not true of every loan, though. VA (Veterans Affairs) loans typically require a credit score of 620 or higher.

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Debt-to-income ratio Pre-approval Pre-qualification Loans 105

HomeLight

JUNE 28, 2021

HUD’s Office of Housing also includes the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), an agency that insures mortgage loans issued by FHA-approved lenders to protect against losses if a borrower defaults on a loan. Get pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Find a HUD-approved agent. No problem!

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Pre-approval Pre-qualification FHA loan Inspection 105

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

For example, both conventional and FHA loans offer first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with only 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% down (FHA). Don’t forget to do your research and ask plenty of questions when talking to lenders and your real estate agent about local and state first-time buyer programs.

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Debt-to-income ratio FHA loan Pre-qualification VA loan 93

Lab Coat Agents

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

The seller’s lender must approve the assumption, guaranteeing the buyer is creditworthy and capable of managing the mortgage payments. This approval process helps protect the lender’s interests while offering flexibility for buyers looking to save on their home purchases. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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Purchase and sale agreement Mortgages Pre-approval VA loan 98

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

You must purchase in a rural area to qualify for a USDA loan. FHA loans are very popular, especially for first-time home buyers. The FHA loan offers a low down payment requirement of 3.5%. They also have relaxed credit score requirements compared to other loans.

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Pre-approval Mortgages Pre-qualification VA loan 77

Redfin

JUNE 13, 2025

Step 3: Research second-time homebuyer programs and loans Step 4: Work with an experienced agent Step 5: Make a strong offer as a second-time homebuyer Step 6: Plan your transition Second-time homebuyer FAQs Is it harder to buy a house the second time? FHA loans can still be an option for second-time buyers who meet the requirements.

Debt-to-income ratio 35

Debt-to-income ratio FHA loan Equity Loans 35

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

But when you place your home on the market, it’s hard to predict if your top offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan. To explore your options with potential appraisal required repairs, we gathered expert advice from appraisers, lenders and top agents.

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Closing FHA loan Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 98

Lighter Side of Real Estate

OCTOBER 11, 2023

There are also some key differences between the low down payment programs Fannie Mae and FHA respectively offer: When you put down less than 20% you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) on either of these products. But with an FHA loan, you have to pay it for the entire length of the loan.

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Pre-approval FHA loan Loans Investor 124

Realty Biz

MARCH 13, 2024

Getting Pre-Approved For A Mortgage In a seller’s market like Maryland, getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan should be one of the first steps for hopeful buyers. Pre-approval provides a significant advantage by showing sellers you are a serious buyer with the financing ready to make a purchase.

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Pre-approval Marketing Inspection Closing costs 91

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

If you’re shopping for a home in San Diego, a trusted buyer’s agent is a key member of your team. HomeLight analyzes millions of transactions and thousands of reviews to find you a proven, top-performing agent in just under two minutes. Find a Buyer's Agent What will it cost to buy a home in San Diego?

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Earnest money deposit Closing Sales Inspection 118

HomeLight

DECEMBER 27, 2021

To help you, we have compiled a checklist of effective home preparation and staging tips based on research and expert advice from Chris Pappalardo , ranked in the top 2% of agents in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Edward Kaminsky , who works with 66% more single-family homes than the average Manhattan Beach, California, agent.

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Pre-approval Inspection Staging Renovation 116

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

With the help of top Bay Area agent Carl Medford , who has 22 years of experience and specializes in helping first-time homebuyers, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down all the ins and outs of buying a house in the Bay Area. Loans are between 3%-3.5% Looking to Buy Your Dream Home in the Bay Area?

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Earnest money deposit Closing Sales Title 110

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

According to the Appraisal Institute , the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, data from the appraisal report is often used by financial institutions to confirm that the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio meets their underwriting guidelines. Many local agents will provide sellers with a CMA for free.

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Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Agents Loans 102

Redfin

MARCH 28, 2023

To help you get started, we turned to some of Redfin’s top Chicago Agents and Partner Agents to provide tips and advice for first-time homebuyers. – Evelyn Randle | Redfin Partner Agent, Checklist Homes Realty For a first-time home buyer, purchasing your home may seem like a huge task and stressful time.

Pre-approval 59

Pre-approval FHA loan Loans Agents 59

HomeLight

AUGUST 16, 2021

A few places to find them include HUD’s list of local homebuying programs , the FHA’s list of state-by-state DPA programs … and, well, Google. Your real estate agent is another great resource for help!). This loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration is ideal for those with low savings or a just-OK credit score.

Loans 105

Loans VA loan FHA loan Purchase and sale agreement 105

Marco Santarelli

MAY 30, 2024

Alternative Financing Options: Exploring programs like FHA loans or down payment assistance initiatives can help bridge the gap for aspiring homeowners facing stiff competition from cash buyers. When competing against investors, it may be necessary to consider offering above-asking price or presenting a stronger financial profile.

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Investor Marketing Pre-approval FHA loan 98

The Close

MAY 28, 2025

620 Conventional loans FHA loans VA loans Jumbo loans Average turn time is 42 days Visit Better Mortgage Conventional: 6.75% FHA: 6.625% VA: 6.5% 620 Conventional fixed-rate loans FHA loans VA loans Jumbo loans Investment property loans Underwriting can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks Visit U.S.

VA loan 52

VA loan FHA loan Mortgages Pre-approval 52

BAM Media

MAY 27, 2025

You might be the most prepared, strategic, and client-focused agent in your market. But if your presentation still promises to help someone find their dream home and get pre-approved, youre blending in with every other agent and getting treated like one, too. Start talking about the right home instead. You can do better.

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Pre-approval FHA loan Finance Loans 59

Realty Biz

APRIL 8, 2024

This includes checking your credit score, saving for a down payment, and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact an experienced Buyer’s Agent when you first think of buying a house. Online mortgage calculators can provide a rough estimate, but getting pre-approved by a lender will give you a more accurate figure.

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Pre-qualification Pre-approval Closing costs Title search 56

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

As Richard Stives , a real estate agent in El Paso, Texas, who specializes in first-time homebuyers and relocations, explains, “Most buyers are relying on financing in order to buy a house, their lender is going to require an appraisal to determine the value of the home in relation to what that buyer is willing to pay for it.”

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Pre-approval Banks Loans Inspection 87

Redfin

APRIL 7, 2023

To help you get started, we turned to some of Redfin’s top Partner Agents in San Diego to help you navigate the process with confidence. Get pre-approved for a mortgage My advice to first-time homebuyers is to find a good loan officer and get pre-approved, fully underwritten approval is best.

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Pre-approval Agents Pre-qualification Debt-to-income ratio 59

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

What To Expect From Your Listing Agent Why For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) Fail Blog Featured Articles Home Buying Home Selling LOCAL Rochester NY Articles What Are The Best Mortgage Options for Self Employed Borrowers? The more assets you have, the stronger your application will be making it easier to get an approval.

Mortgages 52

Mortgages Banks Loans Pre-approval 52

HomeLight

AUGUST 20, 2021

The appraisal is a crucial step in the closing process; your home must appraise for equal to or more than the sale price for the buyer’s lender to approve their mortgage. FHA loans require a special appraisal. The FHA appraiser ensures that the property meets HUD’s minimum property requirements.

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FHA loan Inspection Pre-approval Loans 105