The Mortgage Report

JULY 22, 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?

FHA 203k rehab loan

Marco Santarelli

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

And look at those VA loan rates if you're eligible for a VA loan, those are some seriously attractive numbers, especially the 15-year VA at just 5.30%. It really depends on your original rate, how long you plan to stay in your home, and if the closing costs of refinancing make sense for your situation.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

If you’re wondering if you’re ready to buy a house , consider these three factors: Financial stability: If you have a low credit score, lots of debt, and not enough funds to cover a down payment and closing costs, you may want to wait to buy a home. Closing costs: Typically 2-5% of the home’s purchase price.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Key takeaways: First-time homebuyer: Anyone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the past three years Common first-time homebuyer qualifications: Credit score, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, income limits, employment history, purchase limits, homebuyer education Buying your first home?

Debt-to-income ratio

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

As always, your agent should be able to point you in the right direction and your loan officer will be able to answer any FHA loan questions and provide guidance for filling out the mortgage application. There is also information regarding VA condo eligibility and where to check to see if a condo building is VA approved.

Finance

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

For example, you may qualify for a hardship withdrawal to cover your down payment or closing costs. How to borrow from your 401k account to buy a house To borrow from your 401k loan to finance a down payment, youll need to talk to your employers benefits office or HR department, or with your 401k plan provider.

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 20, 2025

VA Loans – A Benefit for Veterans: Backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA loans offer significant advantages to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. These loans often come with no down payment requirements and competitive interest rates.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 24, 2025

However, you will almost certainly have to cover closing costs. We’ll explain how it’s possible to roll closing costs into your new loan, potentially eliminating the need for upfront cash. How to avoid paying closing costs. How to avoid paying closing costs on a refinance?

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 28, 2025

Low income is generally defined as being below a specific threshold of the area’s median income (AMI), which can vary by location and employment. Each loan option we’ll discuss has qualification requirements for AMI, as well as other factors like credit score and debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

VA loan

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Key takeaways: Your first-time home buyer benefits include down payment and closing cost assistance, grants, tax benefits, and low-interest or forgivable loans. Eligibility depends on factors like income, location, home price, and use of an approved lender. Grants Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio : Your monthly debt payments should be no more than 36%–43% of your gross income. Down payment savings: You’ll generally need at least 3%–5% down, depending on the loan type. Closing costs: Budget around 2%–5% of the home’s price for additional fees and services.

FHA loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 16, 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? All in, these typically run to between 2% and 5% of the loan’s value.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Therefore, even though, as a buyer, you are taking over the seller’s loan, you will still need to prove to the lender that you’re in a financial position to make mortgage payments. the most common types of assumable mortgages are government-backed loans such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and U.S.

Debt-to-income ratio

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

JUNE 22, 2023

Debt-to-income ratio After looking at how much money is flowing into your household, you’ll want to write down your monthly debts. That’s because lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. That number will be your debt-to-income ratio.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

MAY 26, 2021

She says that through combining state programs and with the seller paying closing costs, she had one buyer who “only had to bring $3,500 to the table.”. For most borrowers, you’ll need money for the down payment and closing costs. You will pay a funding fee and closing costs. of the loan’s amount.

Debt-to-income ratio

Lab Coat Agents

MAY 1, 2024

VA loan assumptions offer a fantastic opportunity for your clients to save thousands on their mortgage in a rising interest rate environment. What is a VA Loan Assumption? What is a VA Loan Assumption? This can provide significant savings compared to taking out a new loan at prevailing market rates.

VA loan

HomeLight

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Debts: How much of your income is going toward monthly minimum debt payments? Examples include credit card and student loan debt and your car payment. DTI ratio: Your debt-to-income ratio is a big deal for lenders. How much can I afford with a VA loan?

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

If you don’t have a lot of cash saved and you are a veteran or looking for a home a bit outside of the city, then you may qualify for no-down payment loans, such as a VA or USDA loan. Wantland wants buyers to know: “there are some programs, like the USDA loan , that allow you to tie closing costs into the loan.”

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

MAY 27, 2024

There are some requirements that both the buyer and seller need to meet, but these are generally less stringent than with conventional loans. VA Loans: These are government-backed mortgages guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are also assumable, with similar requirements to FHA loans.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

MARCH 9, 2023

If the bill passes, the act will provide eligible homebuyers up to $25,000 cash for a down payment, closing costs, and other home-buying fees. to 10%, depending on credit score) Low closing costs Relaxed credit score requirements (500 to 620) You may have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) as a condition of an FHA loan.

Loans

HomeLight

JUNE 21, 2023

“A lot of times, these are first-time homebuyers who are wanting to purchase a home, but the extra $6,000 to $8,000 in closing costs can be the difference between them being able to really qualify for the home,” says Jon Baird , an agent based in Chico, California, who specializes in single-family homes. Retired teachers can apply.

Loans

Realty Biz

JANUARY 19, 2024

Research different types of mortgages available, such as conventional, FHA, or VA loans. Many first-time home buyers have low credit scores and need help with high debt-to-income ratios. Consider your monthly income, expenses, and debt-to-income ratio when setting a budget for your new home.

Debt-to-income ratio

Realty Biz

MARCH 28, 2023

FHA Loans With backing from the Federal Housing Administration, an FHA loan has extremely low credit requirements and can be obtained for down payments as modest as 3.5 Additional benefits of an FHA loan include having the closing costs added to the loan so you don’t have to pay them upfront.

VA loan

Realty Biz

JUNE 15, 2022

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Check with your loan officer to see if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs. Student Loan Debt Must Be Paid off. The notion that you must be free and clear of student loans in order to qualify for a mortgage simply isn’t the case.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) The debt-to-income ratio is a key metric lenders use to evaluate how much of your monthly income goes toward debt payments. It is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Plus, down payment and closing costs in New Jersey can set you back thousands of dollars. Many people can make their monthly house payments, but it can be difficult to come up with the money for a down payment and closing costs to buy a new home in the first place. Income limits for a family of two is $61,850.

Land

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

For example, FHA loan borrowers can qualify for a mortgage with a credit score as low as 500 with a 10% down payment, or 580 or above with a 3.5% By contrast, conventional loan borrowers will usually need a credit score of 620 or above. USDA and VA loans both go as low as zero down. down payment.

FHA loan

HomeLight

DECEMBER 31, 2020

A 7% down payment might sound small; for a house that costs $313,000, however, 7% is $21,910, not to mention the closing costs you’ll need to pay, which can tack on up to 2% to 5% of the loan amount. Different types of loans call for different down payments. Down payments and debt-to-income ratio.

Mortgages

Redfin

AUGUST 12, 2024

These loans offer significant advantages, including no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates. Additionally, VA loans have limited closing costs and no prepayment penalties. USDA-insured loans USDA-insured loans are guaranteed by the U.S.

Loans

Realtor.com

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Getty Images With mortgage interest rates near 7% and home prices hovering at a national median of $425,000, many homebuyers might be wondering how they’ll be able to pay for a property, and searching for ways to reduce costs. Here’s everything you need to know about USDA loans, and whether they’re right for you. .”

Loans

Marco Santarelli

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

There are some requirements that both the buyer and seller need to meet, but these are generally less stringent than with conventional loans. VA Loans: These are government-backed mortgages guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are also assumable, with similar requirements to FHA loans.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

However, there are a lot of things to learn about how to buy a house, like current mortgage rates, your credit score, home inspections, and closing costs. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) Another major factor that a lender will consider when approving your mortgage loan is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JANUARY 27, 2021

Don’t forget to budget for closing costs. Closing costs are one-time costs that go along with your home purchase, and you pay them on — you guessed it — closing day. A lot of times people have no idea until they get the Loan Estimate that they have $15,000 to $20,000 worth of closing costs,” Ortman explains.

Closing costs

HomeLight

DECEMBER 30, 2021

A debt-to-income ratio under 43%. Reliable income with proof of employment. Additionally, a home purchased with an FHA loan can only be used as your primary residence — this isn’t the loan type to use when purchasing your first investment property. VA Native American Direct Loan. home value.

Loans

HomeLight

MAY 31, 2021

One of the first things you’ll want to know is just how much house you can afford , which is based on your income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and savings amount (including your down payment). I had some clients a few years ago that had trouble qualifying because they had a lot of debt.

Mortgages

Redfin

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

This loan partnership between Self-Help Ventures Fund and Freddie Mac makes loans available to low- to moderate-income homebuyers and allows for a 3% down payment with no PMI. . 4) Pursue a VA loan if you qualify. 5) If you are a physician, you may qualify for a particular physician loan.

Debt-to-income ratio