Housing Wire

APRIL 7, 2025

In our community, many first-time buyers were using those to buy down interest rates or cover closing costs. Diversity as a business imperative, looking ahead Herreras rise comes amid federal pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, a trend she views with concern but also with clarity.

Commercial

The Mortgage Report

JULY 4, 2025

Home equity loans offer fixed rates and lump sums, good for planned expenses. Reverse and shared equity options skip monthly payments but may cost more long term. Check your best options to tap home equity. Let’s explore the cheapest way to get equity out of your house. Check your best options to tap home equity.

Equity

Housing Wire

JANUARY 9, 2025

A reverse mortgage is a possibility for seniors with substantial equity in their homes, the column stated. It essentially enables you to borrow against your equity, and you aren’t required to make any payments while you’re still alive as long as you live in the house.

FHA loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 9, 2025

Martin Updated By Aleksandra Kadzielawski July 9, 2025 - 2 min read Key Takeaways Homeowners have more equity than ever, with average levels above $300,000. The most common ways to tap your equity include a HELOC, home equity loan, or cash-out refinance. Check your home equity loan options. Check your HELOC options.

Equity

The Mortgage Report

JULY 10, 2025

Can You Refinance a Home Equity Loan Without Refinancing Your Mortgage? By Valencia Higuera Reviewed By Aleksandra Kadzielawski July 10, 2025 - 4 min read Key Takeaways You can refinance a home equity loan or HELOC without refinancing your first mortgage. Check your best options to tap home equity.

Equity

HomeLight

APRIL 10, 2025

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. It uses the equity youve built in your existing home to give you quick access to cash for a down payment or to cover closing costs on your next purchase.

Equity

HomeLight

APRIL 9, 2025

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. It gives you access to the equity in your existing home so you can cover a down payment and closing costs on your new purchase without waiting for your old house to sell. Why Move Twice?

Equity

The Mortgage Report

JULY 7, 2025

Avoid using home equity loans for depreciating expenses or without a clear repayment plan and return on investment. Avoid using home equity loans for depreciating expenses or without a clear repayment plan and return on investment. Check your best options to tap home equity. Check your home equity loan options.

Equity

HomeLight

APRIL 18, 2025

You might be curious if theres a way to access your homes equity for a down payment before it sells or if your only option is to move out and crash somewhere temporary while you house hunt. Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home.

Equity

The Mortgage Report

JULY 8, 2025

What Are the Different Types of Home Equity Loans and Which Is Best? By Valencia Higuera Reviewed By Aleksandra Kadzielawski July 8, 2025 - 5 min read Key Takeaways There are several ways to tap your home’s equity: fixed-rate loans, variable HELOCs, HELOCs with conversion, cash-out refinancing, and home equity agreements.

Equity

HomeLight

APRIL 10, 2025

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. A bridge loan (sometimes called a swing loan or bridging loan) is a short-term loan that uses the equity in your current home to help you move forward with your next purchase. Why Move Twice?

Equity

HomeLight

OCTOBER 28, 2024

Do you have profit-level home equity? Selling your home at a profit starts with knowing your current equity. This is directly connected to what you’ll walk away with after covering your mortgage balance and other obligations tied to your home, including selling costs. Can you afford the cost of moving?

Pre-approval

HomeLight

JULY 28, 2025

You need the equity from your existing home to fund your next purchase — but getting the timing right isn’t always easy. Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. A bridge loan could be the solution to help everything fall into place.

Equity

HomeLight

JULY 24, 2025

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. It taps into the equity you’ve built in your existing property, giving you fast access to cash for a down payment or closing costs on your next purchase.

Equity

HomeLight

JULY 24, 2025

You need the equity from your existing property to fund the next purchase, but pulling that off without disruption to your daily life isn’t easy. Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You want to avoid a double move or temporary housing.

Equity

HomeLight

JULY 24, 2025

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. It taps into the equity you’ve built in your existing property, giving you fast access to cash for a down payment or closing costs on your next purchase.

Equity

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

One of the benefits of homeownership is building equity – the amount of the home you actually own. Home equity can be used to help you buy a new home, make improvements to your house to increase its value, or pay off debts. So, how do you calculate how much home equity you have? How is home equity calculated?

Equity

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 19, 2025

Maybe you're dreaming of lower monthly payments, paying off your home faster, or even tapping into your home equity for some much-needed renovations. The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a broader measure that includes the interest rate plus other fees associated with the loan, such as origination fees, points, and other closing costs.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 29, 2025

A lot of people will ask “Is down payment included in closing costs?” It’s easy to get them confused because they’re both big upfront costs you pay when you’re in the homebuying process. Closing costs are all the fees for the services needed to finalize the home sale.

Closing costs

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Refinancing can be an effective way to lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payments, or take cash out of your existing home equity. Calculate Potential Savings: Use a refinancing calculator to estimate savings and understand how long it would take to recoup any costs associated with refinancing (closing costs, etc.).

Mortgages

Redfin

JANUARY 10, 2025

Arguably, the most important variables to consider before you make the decision to sell are home equity, transaction costs, and local market conditions. Home equity Home equity is a term that measures the value of a home to its owner after all debts and liabilities (like a mortgage ) have been paid.

Seller concession

Lighter Side of Real Estate

APRIL 29, 2025

Here are some common examples: Money toward closing costs A seller might agree to cover part (or all) of the buyers closing fees, which can be thousands of dollars. So even if you offer money toward closing costs or repairs, you may still walk away with substantial equity gains.

Seller concession

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 22, 2024

Mortgage refinance rates hold significant importance for homeowners who aim to lower their monthly payments or leverage their home equity for new financial opportunities. Personal Factors : Your credit score, the amount of equity in your home, and the type of mortgage can all affect the rates you are quoted.

Mortgages

Lighter Side of Real Estate

MAY 14, 2025

Sellers may be more open to negotiating on price, repairs, or even covering some closing costs. If rates come down in the future, you can refinance, lower your monthly payment, and potentially gain even more equity as home values climb with renewed buyer demand. You have space to actually think before making an offer.

Mortgages

The Close

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

When looking into your finances, consider the following factors: Closing costs: These are generally 2% to 5% of the property’s sales price and include lender fees, title insurance, property insurance, and property taxes. The higher the home’s sale price, the higher your closing costs.

Purchase and sale agreement

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 21, 2024

Tapping into home equity: You can refinance to pull cash out of your home. Are you trying to lower your monthly payments, pay off your mortgage quicker, or access your home equity? Can you afford the closing costs? Refinancing comes with closing costs. What is your current mortgage rate?

Debt-to-income ratio

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 10, 2025

Not just the affordability of the house itself, but with closing costs rising, etc., Even if you have all of your money for your down payment and your closing costs. Down payment assistance is a form of financial aid, typically meant to cover a home buyer’s upfront down payment or closing costs.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JULY 15, 2025

This Redfin guide is here to be your checklist, breaking down the upfront costs you’ll need to cover to actually close on your home and make it yours. From inspections to closing fees, here’s what you should know (and plan for) before you get the keys. Closing costs So, what are closing costs ?

Closing costs

The Living Room

MAY 2, 2025

Prospective buyers should account for closing costs, inspections, and the ongoing maintenance associated with homeownership. This step not only clarifies your budget but also positions you as a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers. Financial Preparation for Home Buying: Budgeting for a home extends beyond the down payment.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JUNE 13, 2025

Buying your second home comes with experience on your side and valuable advantages: financial history, equity from your current home, and a clearer sense of what you want. Consider financial tools like bridge loans or home equity loans for your new home’s down payment before your current one sells. Example cost impact: At a 6.8%

Debt-to-income ratio

AAOA

APRIL 14, 2025

You could use: Personal savings Investors Home equity Remember, a larger down payment often means better loan terms. Navigating Closing Costs and Prepayment Penalties Dont forget about closing costs when budgeting for your apartment building purchase. It also gives you more equity in the property from the start.

FHA loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 11, 2025

Making that mortgage payment versus paying rent builds equity. And, with sellers facing more competition, don’t hesitate to ask for extras—whether it’s help with closing costs, appliance packages, or repairs before move-in. Instead, stay grounded in what you can comfortably afford and be ready to act when the right fit appears.

FHA 203k rehab loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 24, 2025

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for home seller credits – right now, sellers are more willing to help with closing costs than they were a year ago.” They may be able to point you to special programs that national banks sometimes overlook,” says Fortune. Authored By: Erik J. Martin The Mortgage Reports contributor Erik J.

FHA 203k rehab loan

HomeLight

MARCH 24, 2025

Who pays closing costs in a short sale? You must be underwater on your mortgage in order to qualify for a short sale, which means that you have negative equity. Short sale vs. foreclosure: What’s the difference? What documents do I need to apply for a short sale? How does a short sale affect my credit score?

Short sale

The Close

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Some financing options include the following: Conventional loans Government-backed loans Home equity loans (HELOCs) or lines of credit Hard money loans Cash Reaching out to a lender is the best way to get more detailed information on these different loan options and determine which one fits your investment needs.

Hard money loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 1, 2025

You’ll also have less equity in the home upfront, which could impact your need to sell or refinance the home in the future,” Erickson continues. Ask sellers for concessions to help cover closing costs. Ponder that mortgage insurance rates can span from 0.5% to 2% of your original loan amount annually. Target starter homes.

Loans

Redfin

JULY 24, 2025

You can usually request PMI removal once you have 20% equity. Increased equity: A large down payment gives you more immediate ownership (equity) in your home. The borrower is generally expected to live in the property as their primary residence for a minimum period, often 12 months.

FHA loan