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? Let’s get started.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

Look into first-time homebuyer benefits Many programs are designed to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers by reducing upfront costs, lowering monthly payments, and helping with mortgage qualification. Save for closing costs Closing costs are fees and expenses you’ll pay when finalizing the home purchase.

Purchase and sale agreement

The Close

JULY 28, 2025

You see, portfolio lenders retain loans in-house so they don’t have to worry about third-party requirements. All of that makes sense, as browsing through Kiavi’s catalog of loan products, I also got the sense that it would be quite simple to get funding.

Pre-qualification

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

Key takeaways You can use your 401(k) to buy a home with a 401(k) loan or withdrawal. A 401(k) loan allows you to borrow the money without penalty, but you need to repay it. The difference between these two accounts is that traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so youll be taxed once taking them out. What is a 401(k)?

Debt-to-income ratio

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

It’s unfortunate, but not every prospective buyer is going to be able to qualify for a home loan. In the simplest terms the main difference is that a bank has its own lending criteria and offers loans by using its own funds. Have you tried calling a bank on a Saturday night to get a pre-approval letter?

Finance

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 23, 2025

Rate Variations: Understand how rates vary by loan type and borrower eligibility. Here's a breakdown of the estimated monthly payments based on various loan amounts at these current average rates. Pre-approval: Before looking at homes, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

JULY 4, 2024

It may mean drilling down and familiarizing yourself, and your potential clients, with the ins and outs of credit repair, loan pre-qualification and pre-approval, and even basic personal finance and budgeting. Embracing change The future of the real estate market is inevitably different from the past.

Pre-qualification

Housing Wire

MAY 12, 2022

Customer-facing technologies, particularly loan origination and decisioning software, are now standard in mortgage lending’s tech stack. But it’s also possible for a homebuyer to apply and receive approval on a mortgage loan without them ever actually speaking with another human. Customer acquisition costs go up.

Lending

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 10, 2020

How to Get Preapproved For a Loan. As such, this qualification process will only give you a rough idea of the size of mortgage you can get. When you actually try to get approval for a loan, you might find you don’t get the amount you anticipate if you have only been prequalified. The Mortgage Pre-approval Process.

Loans

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. of all mortgage originations.

FHA loan

HomeLight

DECEMBER 8, 2023

However, there’s a financial tool that could be the key to seamlessly aligning these moving parts: a bridge loan — empowering you to purchase your new home before selling your current one. In this post, we’ll provide insights and tips about bridge loans in Ohio. What is a bridge loan, in simple words?

Equity

HomeLight

OCTOBER 22, 2021

You may be wondering how affordability calculators work if you’re ready to get some numbers down on paper before showing up for a pre-qualification meeting with a lender. Its purpose is to help give you an idea of how much home you can afford with a home loan. Source: (Joshua Hoehne / Unsplash).

Pre-qualification

Realtor.com

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

Here are more step-by-step home-buying details, including information about down payments, closing costs, mortgage rates, pre-approved mortgages, and more. Furthermore, lenders don’t just hand out loans to everyone who walks in their door. Step 2: Qualify for a home loan or loan pre-approval.

Pre-approval

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

From getting pre-approved for your mortgage to offering flexible closing dates, these strategies are designed to put you in a stronger position. Get pre-approved for your mortgage loan Securing a mortgage pre-approval is perhaps the most important first step in making a compelling offer. Get Started 1.

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

AUGUST 16, 2021

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. Sound great? Sure it does! Source: (LinkedIn Sales Solutions / Unsplash).

Loans

RIS Media

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Closing : A meeting during which ownership of a home is transferred from seller to buyer, usually attended by the buyer, the seller, both real estate agents and the lender. Closing costs : Fees associated with the purchase of a home due at the end of the sales transaction. Mortgage interest rate : The price of borrowing money.

Pre-approval

RIS Media

OCTOBER 22, 2020

Evaluate your current credit situation and make a game plan to clean up your credit score, if needed, prior to starting the pre-approval process.” Have your buyers speak with different lenders to get the lowest possible rate, and have them ask questions about interest rate, down payment amount and estimated closing costs.

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

OCTOBER 5, 2020

When a home is listed as a short sale, the lender forgives the remaining balance of the loan. You’ll need to get preapproved for a mortgage loan. ” She adds, “You need a strong pre-qualification letter from a legitimate lender, and there’s no getting around that. You’ll also need pay stubs for the past 30 days.

Short sale

Realty Biz

MARCH 30, 2023

There are fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, hybrid loans, reverse mortgages, and FHA loans that all come with varying interest rates. To get the best rate for your situation, be sure to look closely at each type of mortgage. Keep an eye out for associated fees and other costs that you may encounter.

Mortgages

HomeLight

JUNE 28, 2021

Due to the nature of how a home becomes a “HUD home,” purchasing one differs from the traditional homebuying process, and there are a few qualifications, special incentives, and risks that any savvy homebuyer should be aware of. Get pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. What is a HUD home? Qualifying for a HUD home.

Pre-approval

RIS Media

JANUARY 19, 2021

Before you start looking for your next home, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. You don’t necessarily have to borrow money to buy a home from the same lender that pre-approved you. What is Pre-approval and Why is It Important? Pre-approval and pre-qualification are not the same thing.

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

OCTOBER 11, 2021

In general, the term “mortgage” is used to describe any loan that is secured by real property. A mortgage or deed of trust, in this context, is the “security instrument” or contract that is used to define the terms under which a loan on real property is secured by that real property. The loan amount. Got that?).

Title

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

Knowing whether you qualify and how to qualify as a first-time homebuyer is half the battle, then comes understanding the advantages — like low-money-down or no-money-down loans and grants that often accompany the coveted first-time buyer status. USDA Rural Development loans also allow for 100% financing (or 0% down). down (FHA).

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 31, 2024

Understand loan options: Learn about different mortgages like conventional, jumbo, and government-backed loans (FHA, VA, USDA). Prepare thoroughly : Improve your credit score, set a budget, and get pre-approved to streamline the home-buying process and secure a favorable mortgage.

Pre-approval

Lab Coat Agents

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

This type of mortgage allows you to take over the existing loan of the seller, often with favorable terms. If you are the buyer, this means you inherit the loan’s principal balance, interest rate, and repayment terms. When you assume a mortgage, you do not apply for a new loan rather take over the existing owner’s loan.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

With tips on everything from how to save for your down payment, specific loan programs for buyers, and what you should look for in an agent, we’ve got you covered. Closing costs in California average about 1% of the home’s sale price , and there are other pre-paid costs you might have as well.

Closing

Realty Biz

APRIL 8, 2024

This includes checking your credit score, saving for a down payment, and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Online mortgage calculators can provide a rough estimate, but getting pre-approved by a lender will give you a more accurate figure. What Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval? What Are Closing Costs?

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

With tips on everything from how to save for your down payment, specific loan programs for buyers, and what you should look for in an agent, we’ve got you covered. Closing costs in California average about 1% of the home’s sale price , and there are other pre-paid costs to consider as well.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2022

Increasing inflation on everything from gas to groceries and the reinstatement of student loans and other repayments (paused during the pandemic) are prompting some consumers to explore avenues to maximize their assets if times get tough. What qualifications do I have to meet to access my home’s equity? Term lengths can vary.

Equity

HomeLight

OCTOBER 9, 2023

One way is to ask for a price reduction, which could mean a lower loan amount for the buyer and lower property taxes,” he says. “A A buyer could also ask for a closing cost credit, which can offset closing costs.” I see so many offers come across my desk without pre-qualification letters,” he says. “A

Pre-qualification

RIS Media

AUGUST 5, 2020

The 2019 – 2020 State of Asia America Report , an annual AREAA publication, provides a snapshot of the state of AAPI homeownership pre-COVID-19. In 2018, Asian Americans generated 223,906 conventional loans, which amounted to $86.4 billion in loan value. Additional closing costs associated with VA loans.

VA loan

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Figure Out What Mortgage Program Works Best When you start looking for a mortgage , one of the first steps should be deciding what loan terms you want. Once you have figured out the loan term and whether it is fixed or assumable, you should consider the loan type. What Type of Loan Program Works For You?

Pre-approval

HomeLight

JULY 30, 2021

Additionally, a certain amount of the monthly rent is also typically stipulated to help cover the buyer’s closing costs or down payment. For example, monthly rent on the house is $2,000, and the buyer agrees to pay an additional $300 a month, which will go toward closing costs on the purchase.”.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

A cash offer simply means that a buyer already has the funds available to buy the house and can pay for it without securing a mortgage loan. From the seller’s point of view, it doesn’t make much difference whether the cash comes from the buyer’s personal bank account or from a mortgage loan. Though you can (and should!) The inspection.

Due diligence

HomeLight

MAY 31, 2021

Before you even start looking, you’ll also need to find a mortgage lender who will determine how much house you can afford , make sure your credit is in good standing, and see what kind of loan programs will work best for you. These are things you just might not know as a buyer — but your agent and loan officer can give you guidance!

Mortgages

The Close

MAY 28, 2025

A great mortgage lender provides you with plenty of options, including different types of mortgage loans and products. 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% Bank Conventional: 6.9%

VA loan

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. Your credit score is important as it influences whether you qualify for a loan, the type of loan, and what interest rate you’ll receive.

Earnest money deposit