The Mortgage Report

JULY 14, 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? Selling eliminates the shared debt entirely.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Don’t skip critical steps like the home inspection or negotiating closing costs. Take note of closing costs, loan terms, and any additional fees. Overlooking your credit score Your credit score plays a major role in whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage loan and the interest rate you’ll secure.

Pre-approval

The Mortgage Report

JULY 11, 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 24, 2025

According to the National Association of Realtors , 52% of first-time buyers used a conventional loan to finance their home, while 29% used an FHA loan, and 9% used a VA loan. The share of first-time buyers using an FHA loan has declined from 55% in 2009 to 29% in 2024.

FHA 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 2, 2025

This Redfin article explains how job changes impact the mortgage process and what lenders look for—whether you’re applying for a home loan in Raleigh, NC or preparing to close on a house in Denver, CO. Changing jobs before closing on a house Changing jobs just before closing can be riskier.

Pre-approval

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

Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

Rebuilding credit, saving for a down payment, and reducing debt are crucial steps while preparing to buy a home after bankruptcy. While filing for bankruptcy can present financial challenges, it is crucial to understand that it does not permanently close the door on homeownership. They often require no down payment.

Bankruptcy

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

However, fees for the loans can be higher than a bank and it’s likely that your loan will be sold on the secondary market after closing. You have no control over who you loan gets sold to. There is also information regarding VA condo eligibility and where to check to see if a condo building is VA approved.

Finance

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 31, 2025

They cover topics like budgeting, building credit, mortgage options, house hunting, and closing. State and local programs: Cities and states may offer down payment assistance, forgivable loans, or closing cost help. Save for closing costs Closing costs are fees and expenses you’ll pay when finalizing the home purchase.

Purchase and sale agreement

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

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

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

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 8, 2021

This is an absolute must, especially in the market right now as it gives the lender an opportunity to fill the listing agent in on the buyer’s background and how the VA loan process works,” Pascoe explained. There remains a belief among listing agents and their clients that the VA appraisal and closing process will be a hassle.

VA loan

Housing Wire

MAY 24, 2024

Student loan debt may affect your home-buying goals in a few key ways. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) Lenders calculate your DTI ratio by dividing your total monthly debt payments (including student loans) by your gross monthly income to assess your ability to handle additional debt, like a mortgage.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

AUGUST 7, 2023

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have had affordable lending goals for years, but the impact of closing the minority homeownership gap has not been that significant. Income and credit information are inputted into the AUS. 1 answer has been, “They understand my borrowers and know how to close my loans.”

Closing

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Media stories about home affordability rarely cover how the GSEs allow for low down payments and higher debt-to-income ratios. Media headlines make borrowers nervous, but lenders make loans. mortgage delinquencies — which include conventional, FHA and VA loans — are still near record lows of 3.37% per the MBA.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

APRIL 4, 2022

As interest rates rise, so do the monthly mortgage payments, which could be problematic for low-to-moderate income borrowers, said Alex Naumovych, loan officer at Draper & Kramer Mortgage. With the housing market still red-hot and inventory at a crisis level , borrowers with cash and conventional almost always win out with sellers.

FHA 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

Rent, Buy & Sell

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Instead, they guarantee the loan by approving and insuring banks and lending institutions. With FHA backing, these loans are more attractive to banks as they come with less risk than a traditional mortgage. VA loans are for veterans, service members, military spouses and other people associated with the military.

Loans

Calculated Risk Real Estate

APRIL 1, 2024

from January’s 8-month low, but remains close to the 12-month average • Fewer borrowers sank further into delinquency in February, with the roll rate from 30 to 60 days past due falling -6.7% Conventional loans continue to perform well, but there is concern about FHA and VA loans.

VA loan

HomeLight

JUNE 22, 2023

Why, maybe it’s even dealing with the anxiety that comes while you’re waiting for closing day to finally come. To figure out how much house you can afford , you’re going to have to take a close look at a few different variables. Monthly income The very first thing you need to consider is your income.

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

Realty Biz

AUGUST 12, 2020

Do you have a high income to loan value ratio? If your mortgage payments will be close to what you are already paying for your rental, it shows that you should be able to manage the loan payments. Your debt to income ratio needs to no more than 31 percent for housing expenses against your income.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

JULY 7, 2022

Make sure you know whether you’ll need to pay HOA fees, so you can incorporate the cost into your monthly dues before you close on your new home. of your loan value annually; the less you put down, the higher your PMI will be. If you don’t have any current outstanding debts — congratulations! Monthly debt: $250.

Debt-to-income ratio

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

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. PMI protects the lender in case you stop making payments on your loan.

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

MARCH 9, 2023

The most common forms of assistance or alternative loan fall into the following broad categories: Down payment assistance programs Government-backed loans Low-income loans Down payment assistance program Down payment assistance programs help first-time homebuyers who need cash for a down payment.

Loans

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. Source: (C.

Debt-to-income ratio

Realty Biz

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

Government-backed programs: Government-backed mortgage programs, such as FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans, often have more relaxed credit score requirements. Consider alternative mortgage options: If traditional mortgages don't work out, explore alternative options such as FHA loans, VA loans, or USDA loans.

Finance