Marco Santarelli

APRIL 12, 2025

Inflation continues to be a concern, hovering above the central bank's target of 2%. A widely accepted guideline is to spend no more than 28% of gross monthly income on housing expenses, which includes principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). If we enter a recessionary period, rates may decrease further.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

A primary residence (also known as a principal residence) is the home you live in for a majority of the time. Taxes: Homeowners may qualify for certain tax benefits, like deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes, only on their principal residence. What is a primary residence? Discrepancies can raise red flags.

Principal

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Loans and programs for first-time buyers Loan Who qualifies Minimum down payment Minimum credit score Key qualifications Conventional loans Borrowers with good credit and stable income 3% 620 Strong credit, steady income, low DTI ratio FHA loans Borrowers with lower credit scores and limited savings 3.5%

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

JUNE 17, 2025

Government Loans Government-backed loans are fantastic options, especially for first-time homebuyers or those with lower credit scores: FHA Loans : The 30-year fixed rate for FHA loans is currently 7.42% , a rise of 0.59% from last week. VA Loans : The 30-year fixed VA loan is at 6.52% , an increase of 0.11%.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

AUGUST 26, 2022

HousingWire recently spoke with Lee Smith and John Gibson at Flagstar Bank about what originators can do to align their mortgage products and services with the ebb and flow of the housing market and what Flagstar is doing to help clients remain at the top of their game during this turbulent time.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 24, 2022

And while depository banks that are fueling that growth, concern is mounting over Ginnie Mae MSRs held by nonbanks. Over the first nine months of this year, banks have far outstripped nonbanks in buying up MSR packages. Banks have been net purchasers of MSRs, to the tune of $107.8 billion — compared with $51.1 The weak link?

Principal

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

“The down payment is showing the bank that you’re putting some skin in the game,” says Helali. Every time a bank provides somebody with a loan, the bank’s essentially investing in that person.”. Basically, you’re showing the bank that their investment is safe and you’re unlikely to stop making payments.

FHA loan

Redfin

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

In short, a mortgage is a loan from a lending institution to cover a home’s purchase. The bank or lending institution holds the note for the house as collateral for the loan. For example, if you provide $20,000 as a downpayment for the home you plan to buy for $200,000, your principal loan amount would be $180,000. .

Mortgages

McKissock

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Don’t miss this FREE update on VA appraisal topics on Wednesday, February 22nd from 11am-12pm ET. He was an independent fee appraiser on the VA panel for over 9 years prior to his current position. He is the principal expert for all matters related to residential property appraisals and valuation solutions at Veros. Sign up now.

VA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

It’s a DIY world, and she secured her loan ( with an equally awesome rate ) by going direct through her bank. Since brokers work with multiple lenders, they can bring forth numerous quotes so buyers can easily choose between loans with different rates. Decisions, decisions. What are you, a prospective homebuyer, to do?

Mortgages

HomeLight

AUGUST 16, 2021

Second mortgages : These are loans you can take out to subsidize the down payment in addition to taking out a principal mortgage. Bank of America has two national DPA programs. You can qualify for loans with as little as 3.5% Service members, veterans, and surviving spouses qualify for these loans with 0% down.

Loans

HomeLight

MAY 31, 2021

Mortgage loan studies have suggested that borrowers with higher DTIs are more likely to default on their loans, so banks and other lenders take your DTI number seriously when considering you for a mortgage loan. Get a 15-year loan term. Source: (Clay Banks / Unsplash). Recast your mortgage.

Mortgages

HomeLight

JUNE 22, 2023

Conventional loan To get a conventional loan , you’ll need to go to a private financial institution, which include banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies. The loans offered by these institutions aren’t backed by a government agency, like an FHA loan or a VA loan would be.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

An FHA loan , for example, requires a minimum of 3.5% A USDA home loan , which is available for rural and some suburban areas, might not require a minimum down payment at all. The same holds true for VA loans for military families. A cash reserve money is money in your bank account. Home loans.

Closing costs

HomeLight

JULY 7, 2022

If you can’t afford a 20% down payment on your home and apply for a conventional loan, you’ll have to have private mortgage insurance (PMI) to cover the costs, or just plain mortgage insurance for a government loan (FHA loans or VA loans , for example). PMI will typically cost between 0.5%

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Give your piggy bank a shake, and let’s get started! It’s very possible to secure a mortgage with just 3% down — even if you’re a first-time homebuyer — and there are viable options for zero down payment loans, too. For current and former service members, a VA loan may be an option. Source: (Surface / Unsplash).

VA loan

Norada Real Estate

JUNE 22, 2022

You don't need to pay a bank attorney for the mortgage. Financing turnkey rental properties with cash means you don't need to put real estate taxes in escrow upfront nor pay for a mortgage application and loan origination fees. These loans tend to allow a lower down payment and credit score when compared to conventional loans.

Finance

HomeLight

AUGUST 28, 2020

This $250,000 is called the loan principal. It’s a percentage you pay on top of the loan principal. So, let’s say you’ll pay 5% interest on top of the $250,000 principal. When you make your mortgage payment each month, your principal and interest are rolled into one mortgage payment. Thirty years?

Mortgages

McKissock

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Meet the presenters James Heaslet Serving as the Chief Appraiser for the Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Guaranty Service since 2018, James is responsible for developing and overseeing policies and regulations for the VA Construction and Valuation department. View Pro-Series webinars.

VA loan

HomeLight

OCTOBER 15, 2020

If you’re a would-be homebuyer searching for a home in a rural or even suburban area, you could potentially qualify for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan. These loans — like FHA and VA loans — are backed by the government. You can get a USDA loan with no money down on the house.

Loans

HomeLight

JANUARY 27, 2021

A lender with a local presence will likely know the ins and outs of your market better than a big bank, and they’ll have local relationships that will make closing your deal easier. Your mortgage payment is more than just the cost of the principal and interest on your loan. to 1% of the loan amount annually. government.

Closing costs

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

First-time homebuyers can apply for a forgivable loan of up to $15,000 to assist with closing costs and down payment or principal reduction. It is a one-time loan, from which: A total of $5,000 can be applied toward closing costs; The remaining money must be applied toward your down payment; and. Veterans Administration loans.

Land

HomeLight

JANUARY 31, 2022

Conventional loans can be approved with as little as 3% as a down payment. USDA loans are available mostly in rural areas and enable buyers to put down zero percent of the price. VA loans enable eligible active duty military personnel and veterans to buy a home with zero percent down. principal payment each month.

Loans

HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Conventional loans closed in an average of 47 days in July 2021, while FHA loans took 51 days, and VA loans required an average of 52 to close. At least three business days before your closing, the lender will provide a five-page form that lists the final details about your loan, such as: Loan amount.

Closing

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

If you use a fixed-rate mortgage, your principal and interest will remain the same throughout the life of the loan, though your property taxes and subsequent homeowner’s insurance can increase over time. FHA loans: as low as 3.5%. USDA loans (for rural property owners): no down payment required.

Closing costs

HomeLight

MAY 27, 2021

USDA loans are only available in specific areas, usually rural regions, and there is an income cap that varies by location. Designed for veterans, active-duty military, and qualifying spouses, VA-backed loans often require no down payment. With an FRM, the interest rate stays the same for the life of the loan.

Loans

Redfin

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

Well, it’s not only the difference between getting a low-interest rate on a home loan versus a high one, but it will also directly impact how much a bank or lender will loan you. Money that is not going against the principal of your mortgage. Banks like to see a borrower with the same employer for about two years.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 11, 2023

Essentially, a mortgage enables individuals to become homeowners by providing the necessary funds upfront, with the property serving as security for the loan. You then make monthly payments, including principal and interest, over an agreed-upon term (usually 15 to 30 years) until the loan is fully repaid.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 21, 2024

Monthly payment on a $300,000 mortgage at 6.10% is approximately $1,818 towards principal and interest. 20-year fixed rates fell by 0.07% to 5.69% , resulting in monthly payments around $2,096 for the same loan amount. This can lead to more affordable loans for consumers and stimulate demand in the housing market.

Mortgages

HomeLight

JUNE 30, 2022

You also want to check your FICO score, as this is what the majority of lenders use ; you can often get your FICO score for free if your banking institution provides it, but otherwise you might have to pay for this service. Bank statements. Some loan programs, such as those backed by the FHA , allow for a down payment as small as 3.5%

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

A mortgage calculator will estimate your mortgage payment, including the principal and interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and PMI. FHA loan: These loans are backed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and primarily help low-to-moderate-income borrowers who are less likely to qualify for conventional loans.

Earnest money deposit

Marco Santarelli

MAY 29, 2025

There are lots of free mortgage calculators online, like the one I use that considers: Home Price Down Payment Loan Term Property Taxes Homeowners Insurance Interest Rate Let's say you're looking at a $440,000 home with a 20% down payment ($88,000) and a 30-year loan at a 6.67% APR.

Mortgages

HomeLight

MAY 31, 2021

There are several types of home loans out there, and you’ll want to ask any potential lender which ones they offer, as not all lenders support all loan types. Conventional home loans are private loans that aren’t secured by any kind of government program, and these are available through banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies.

Mortgages

Redfin

AUGUST 3, 2022

224,000/100 = $2,224 is the maximum monthly mortgage payment, including principal, interest, taxes, house insurance (PITI) plus mortgage insurance, that you could afford according to the 28% rule. . Depending on your circumstances, loans are available with much lower down payment requirements, ranging from 3.5% Save for a down payment.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

MARCH 28, 2022

If you’re planning on using a VA loan, how does that impact affordability ? The less you owe on the principal loan, the smaller your monthly mortgage payment. The VA funding fee can increase every time you use your VA loan. Do you know what your funding fee will be if you go with a VA loan?

VA loan

HomeLight

JUNE 30, 2021

The obvious advantage of a zero-down mortgage is leaving that extra cash in the bank and not having to worry about a down payment. A low interest rate means you’ll pay less interest on your principal over the life of the loan. Because you’re taking out a bigger mortgage loan, you’ll be making larger monthly payments.

VA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 27, 2020

To qualify for an FHA loan, applicants must: Show proof that they have been employed for two years. Verify income with tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements. Ninety percent of the loans backed by the VA require no down payments, which can be a great help for those who have visions of being a homeowner.

VA loan