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? Time to make a move?

FHA 203k rehab loan

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 23, 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

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Which loan is right for you? Conventional loans: You have a credit score of 620+, stable income, and can put at least 3% down. FHA loans: You have a credit score of 580+ (or 500+ with 10% down) and a higher DTI ratio. VA loans: You’re an eligible veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse.

Loans

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

Government-owned properties Some mortgages are government-backed, like VA loans and FHA loans. If a buyer with a government-backed loan goes into foreclosure, the government will take control of the property. Can you buy a foreclosure with an FHA loan?

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

State and local programs: Cities and states may offer down payment assistance, forgivable loans, or closing cost help. Federal loan options: Government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA loans are popular among first-time buyers, offering flexible credit and down payment requirements.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

This ensures that the homes value is equal to or more than the mortgage loan amount. Lenders use home appraisals to make sure that they arent lending you more money than what the home is worth. A higher appraisal value means theres more home equity available, which may give you more favorable loan terms or cash out.

FHA loan

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

In the simplest terms the main difference is that a bank has its own lending criteria and offers loans by using its own funds. While this type of loan is a good option for many real estate consumers, I believe there are several quirks all buyers should know about and understand if they are considering an FHA loan.

Finance

Marco Santarelli

JUNE 26, 2025

These states often have a combination of strong economies, competitive lending environments, and stable real estate markets, which contribute to their lower average mortgage rates. New Mexico: Economic factors in New Mexico may be restricting lending competition and influencing higher rates.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

In fact, today’s first-timers are older than ever, thanks to factors like rising home prices , student loan debt, and stricter lending standards. 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

Marco Santarelli

MAY 22, 2025

Understand Points: Paying points (fees paid upfront) can lower your interest rate, but you need to calculate whether the upfront cost is worth the long-term savings. Factor in All Costs: Remember to consider other costs associated with buying a home, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, and closing costs.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 15, 2025

Greg Sher, managing director at NFM Lending, sums it up well: “Big tariffs right now wouldn't just make inflation worse — they could set off a chain reaction of economic trouble that central banks and governments aren't ready to handle.” Weigh the cost against the long-term savings. ” ( CNET ).

Mortgages

Housing Wire

MARCH 25, 2021

Gone are the days when you had to put 20% down to get approved for a loan to purchase a home. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down. An FHA loan requires as little as 3.5% One good thing about student loans is they typically don’t have as high of an interest rate as other loans.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

In the aftermath, one of the most contentious issues in the minds of mortgage professionals is how the ruling might affect FHA and VA mortgage borrowers. FHA loans are a popular option for first-time homebuyers or those who don’t have a lot of cash saved for a down payment, because the loans require a minimum of 3.5%

VA loan

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 27, 2020

Mortgage lending has gotten stricter during the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for a VA loan, borrowers must be military members or veterans and meet certain service requirements. USDA loans, on the other hand, are options for rural homebuyers.

VA loan

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

You’ve just received the first offer on your home — and it’s backed by an FHA loan. So what do you need to know about FHA loans as a seller? Today, FHA loans represent a fair share of the mortgage market; in 2018, the FHA insured 12.1% FHA loans help make homeownership more accessible.

FHA loan

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

It has become common practice in some markets to ask the seller to pay some or all of the closing costs when you purchase a home. 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.

Closing costs

HomeLight

OCTOBER 11, 2021

You’re getting ready to start shopping for a house, and you’re pretty certain you want to go with an FHA loan. The Federal Housing Administration backs loans with less strict credit requirements and low down payment options to help families become homeowners. How much house can you afford if you’re getting an FHA loan?

FHA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

The FHA doesn’t lend money itself. The FHA backing lets lenders offer easier credit terms than non-FHA loans. FHA loans are especially important for first-time buyers. In 2020, only about 10% of all home loans were FHA-backed, according to the agency’s annual report.

FHA loan

HomeLight

APRIL 12, 2023

Editor’s note: This post will help answer the question: How much are closing costs in Massachusetts (MA)? The example costs provided are based on median home prices and typical fees. Your closing costs may differ depending on your circumstances and the terms of your home purchase. What are closing costs?

Closing costs

HomeLight

JUNE 15, 2023

After finding their dream home and signing the purchase contract , most buyers feel on top of the world … until they see the Loan Estimate or preliminary closing statement (if buying in cash). Did the closing costs for the buyer in particular catch you by surprise? Get Started What does a buyer pay in closing costs?

Closing costs

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Along with the obvious advantage of a lower interest rate, an assumed loan can also come with fewer transaction fees and greater speed. Instead of securing a new mortgage with higher rates, a buyer can assume the home seller’s existing interest rate, principal balance, repayment period, and other terms of the lending agreement. “A

FHA loan

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Here, we’ll walk you through one of the best-known and most widely utilized tools that can help get you those keys: the FHA loan. Read on for more about these loans, the down payment assistance programs associated with them, and some different down payment assistance programs to consider when you buy your first home.

FHA loan

HomeLight

JUNE 21, 2023

Some of these programs, such as Homes for Heroes , are nationwide and encompass both lending benefits and other discounts and reimbursements. Others, such as the California Employee Loan Program, or CELP , are targeted to residents in a particular state. Program highlights Up to $800 in reduced closing costs.

Loans

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

If you’re a potential home buyer and you qualify for a conventional loan, you still need thousands of dollars in cash for a down payment, closing costs , and other expenses. Unlike conventional or FHA loans, micromortgages are 100% financed, which means there’s no down payment required.

Loans

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

Norada Real Estate

JUNE 22, 2022

As a cash buyer, you can also save on closing costs. 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

Redfin

OCTOBER 27, 2020

Explore all of your lending options. VA loans are great for those who are looking for a loan with no down payment and limited closing costs. However, there may be instances where other loan options are a better fit. FHA loans are especially geared toward first-time homebuyers.

VA loan

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. Pretty big perks! of the purchase price.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JUNE 22, 2023

Why must there be so many lending companies, all of which have different requirements and terms? FHA loans allow credit scores as low as 580 (or even 500 if you’re putting down 10% or more), and conventional loans allow credit scores as low as 620. And they need answers to their mortgage questions.

Debt-to-income ratio

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

If you’re a potential home buyer and you qualify for a conventional loan, you still need thousands of dollars in cash for a down payment, closing costs , and other expenses. Unlike conventional or FHA loans, micromortgages are 100% financed, which means there’s no down payment required.

Loans

Realty Biz

MARCH 28, 2023

Real estate investors often can’t find the same types of attractive home lending terms as those who are purchasing a residential home exclusively to live in. 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

VA loan

Realty Biz

MARCH 7, 2023

Still, you’ll need a signed gift letter based on which the lending institution can check the transferred money’s legitimacy. A viable alternative is requesting a family member with an excellent credit score to co-sign your loan application. Every US state has private DPA programs you can verify at your local lending institution.

Loans

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

“When it comes to mortgages, the programs change [frequently] and I don’t want to misinform anyone,” says Baylis, who advises his clients that programs may be available that are a good fit for their needs — but that, as a Realtor®, he’s not necessarily the best resource for lending-related questions. “As Closing costs are limited.

FHA loan

RIS Media

AUGUST 5, 2020

Just 6 percent and 2 percent of Asian loan applications are for FHA loans and VA loans, respectively. A desire to avoid the additional paperwork and requirements of FHA loans, or sellers’ aversion to working with FHA-financed buyers in highly competitive markets. billion in potential loans.

VA loan

HomeLight

JANUARY 31, 2022

One reason she likes it is because the mortgage insurance premium is lower than for both conventional and FHA loans. A VA Native American loan can also give you additional benefits, like a low interest rate — 2.75% in January 2022 — and caps on closing costs. Can you use a Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee?

FHA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 16, 2021

You can also consider growing your existing cash by getting involved in peer-to-peer lending , or by investing your funds short-term in a real estate investment trust (REIT) to build your capital. down payment and some of the closing costs” needed for an FHA loan , she explains. “I One program will “cover the 3.5%

Purchase and sale agreement

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