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Agent commission lawsuits cast long shadow over VA, FHA borrowers

Housing Wire

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%

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Here’s How to Use a Down Payment Calculator to Help Set a Home Budget

HomeLight

PMI can be dropped when you reach 20% equity by paying down your loan principal. Mortgage insurance requirements: No mortgage insurance requirement, but there is a “guarantee fee” of 1% of the loan amount, and an annual fee of 0.35%. They might include your estimated monthly mortgage payment , or even projected closing costs.

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8 Common Misconceptions That First-Time Home Buyers Have

Realty Biz

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Check with your loan officer to see if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs. But with a downpayment less than 20%, a lender typically requires the buyer to take out PMI — which generally costs between 0.4% Your Only Upfront Costs Are a Down Payment.

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How to Apply For a First-Time Home Buyers Loan: Simplifying the Process Into 8 Doable Steps

HomeLight

First-time homebuyer loans can help make it easier on first-time homebuyers , offering access to special mortgage programs with low down payments. Sometimes you’ll even find grants to help you with closing costs and down payments. You can qualify for loans with as little as 3.5% Sound great? Sure it does!

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51 Brilliant Real Estate Tips for Buyers to Edge Past the Competition

HomeLight

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.

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From Contract to House Keys: Breaking Down the House Closing Process

HomeLight

In January 2021, the average time to close was 58 days. 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. The closing process takes so long because so much happens in those six-to-eight weeks.

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Looking for a Mortgage Lender? Here Are 19 Questions to Ask Them Before You Commit

HomeLight

These are things you just might not know as a buyer — but your agent and loan officer can give you guidance! What type of home loans do you offer? 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.