Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Mortgage News This Week In the week ending December 22, 2024, there has been a notable increase in mortgage rates, pushing 30-year fixed-rate loans to an average of 6.91%. This upward trend in rates can be attributed to renewed investor interest and adjustments in long-term bond yields, which are closely linked to mortgage rates.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Here's the straightforward answer: The best time to refinance is when interest rates are lower than your current rate, or when your financial situation has improved, allowing you to secure a better loan term. A quarter-point increase from 5% to 5.25% adds close to $40 to your monthly bill. Who doesn't want that? My personal take?

Mortgages

Redfin

JANUARY 28, 2025

Assumable mortgages offer a unique alternative, allowing buyers to take over the sellers existing loan – potentially locking in a lower interest rate and saving money over time. From evaluating the loan terms to understanding the hidden costs, assuming a mortgage isn’t a decision to take lightly.

Loans

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Don’t skip critical steps like the home inspection or negotiating closing costs. Not getting pre-approved for a home loan before starting your search A common mistake for first-time homebuyers is jumping into the search without first getting pre-approved for a mortgage. For instance, on a $350,000 mortgage, a 3.5%

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 30, 2025

When it comes to whether or not a seller has to be present at closing, the short answer is no. When selling a home, the seller can often close remotely or through a representative. That said, laws and practices vary slightly by state, so it depends on how the title company, attorney, or escrow agent handles closings.

Closing

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Even without liquid funds, buyers can explore bridge loans, private lenders, or creative financing to structure a cash-like offer. A cash offer simply refers to a situation where a buyer pays the entire purchase price upfront, without using a mortgage or other loan. Both parties sign closing documents, finalizing the sale.

Purchase and sale agreement

Windemere Buying

MAY 19, 2025

Making a Contingent Offer on a Home Once you and the seller agree on the price of a home, both parties have certain responsibilities before closing. Even if you are pre-approved for your mortgage , you may not be able to obtain the right loan for the home.

Home sale contingency

Redfin

JUNE 23, 2025

In real estate, the due diligence period is the time between an accepted offer and closing. You can schedule inspections, review the title, secure an appraisal, and check for any red flags that could affect your decision to buy. You put an offer on a home and it’s been accepted, now the due diligence period begins.

Due diligence

Redfin

JUNE 17, 2025

Selling a house can be a long process, and it makes sense that the seller would want to know when the seller gets money after closing – especially if those funds are being used to purchase a new home. In this Redfin article, explore what to expect during the closing process and when the seller can expect to receive their funds.

Closing

Redfin

JUNE 11, 2025

Appraisal contingency When a buyer finances a home, lenders require an appraisal to confirm the property’s value supports the loan amount. Reasons for denial can include credit issues, job changes, or changes in loan terms. The title company typically conducts this search shortly after the contract is signed.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JULY 29, 2025

A lot of people will ask “Is down payment included in closing costs?” Closing costs are all the fees for the services needed to finalize the home sale. This includes things like appraisal fees, title insurance, and lender fees. ” when they’re buying a home. It’s your personal investment in the property.

Closing costs

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Between setting a budget, getting pre-approved, and closing the deal, getting everything squared away can make all the difference. Determine your budget Estimated time: 2-4 weeks Before jumping into your home search the first step is to determine how much you can afford. There are many steps involved, each with its own timeline.

Pre-approval

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

This involves making a careful budget that includes potential costs like the down payment, closing costs, taxes, and possible renovation expenses. Once you’ve found a home, you’ll need to make an offer, inspect the property, and navigate the closing process, which may involve legal nuances specific to New York.

Purchase and sale agreement

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. Here’s what we’ll cover: Can you refinance with no money out of pocket?

Mortgages

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Title Search and Examination Before completing a real estate transaction, verifying the property’s title is crucial to ensure it is free from any liens, encumbrances, or disputes. Real estate lawyers conduct thorough title searches to uncover property ownership rights issues. chat_bubble close How Can I Help?

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JULY 11, 2025

This good-faith payment, typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price, is held in escrow and applied to your down payment or closing costs if the sale goes through. Whether you get it back depends on the terms of your purchase agreement, the contingencies included, and why the deal didn’t close. When is earnest money refundable?

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a home equity loan, or simply maintaining your propertys clean title, uncovering liens early can save you from unexpected costs and stress down the road. Many counties maintain online databases where you can search property records by address or the owner’s name.

Title search

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Well, according to Florida real estate agent Damian Costantino, a contingency is a stipulation written into the purchase contract that needs to be met or resolved before moving to the closing table. Financing contingency: The buyer must qualify for a mortgage loan and receive financing for the deal to continue.

Inspection contingency

Housing Wire

MARCH 10, 2025

In an industry dominated by private insurers, Iowa Title Guaranty (ITG) continues to operate as a state-run, not-for-profit title system that gives homebuyers a more affordable avenue for settlement services. Iowa bans private commercial title insurance in favor of its unique state-backed model.

Title

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The best hard money loans for real estate depend on your investment strategy, whether youre financing a short-term flip, a rental property or a large-scale development. Youll also learn how hard money loans work, what it takes to get approved and key factors to consider before applying. The proof is in the pudding.

Hard money loan

Housing Wire

JANUARY 8, 2021

Understanding what expenses are required at closing to buy a house will help you budget and save more effectively. In this article, we break down exactly what closing costs are so you’re prepared when you start shopping for a home: What are closing costs? Closing costs are the thousands of dollars associated with buying a home.

Closing costs

Housing Wire

MAY 11, 2023

This integration allows lenders to access Flueid’s title data and insights during the loan application process, resulting in time savings and a simplified consumer experience. Loan officers and underwriters can now easily check title information and review critical insights to understand the status of a property and consumer.

Loans

Housing Wire

JUNE 11, 2021

Have you budgeted for closing costs? Before you get overwhelmed, take comfort that critical milestones of home inspection, appraisal and closing processes are all great ways to get more acquainted with your prospective new home. Should the appraisal come in lower than the contract price, the closing process may be impacted.

Inspection

Housing Wire

JUNE 21, 2022

In a refinancing, homeowners obtain a new loan and lenders require a new title search and a title insurance policy on that loan to protect their investment. Professionals conduct the search and examine documents, with title companies regularly providing a discount, or “reissue rate” on a refinance.

Title

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 16, 2022

However, most Americans don’t learn about title insurance until they buy their first home and amid the often stressful, frenetic activity of the closing process, homebuyers can be confused about many of the settlement costs and why they need to purchase a title insurance policy. Diane Tomb, ALTA CEO Contributor.

Title

Housing Wire

APRIL 10, 2023

As a follow-up, HousingWire sat down with Peter Richter, co-founder and president at Flueid, to discuss why mortgage lenders should be asking for a quick, data-driven title check at loan application, rather than an instant title commitment, to understand and verify what’s going on with a property and consumer from the start.

Title

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Since 2015, ALTA has provided education through Home Closing 101, a consumer-focused website that provides information about the closing process, how they can protect their property rights, how to file a claim, and how to find a title company. It’s important the buyer asks how the closing/settlement will be handled.

Title

Housing Wire

JUNE 24, 2021

Closing Complex Loans Faster With a Digitized Client Workflow. Join this webinar for a discussion on changes in market demographics, suppliers and how focusing on customer experience and taking a few simple steps during the mortgage loan process can close deals 3x faster.

Title

Housing Wire

MARCH 2, 2021

HousingWire: What are some due diligence and underwriting challenges loan originators face today? Historically low interest rates in 2020 led to an all-time high in mortgage lending for new loans, but with forbearance moratorium deadlines being extended, some lenders are getting nervous. It’s easy to see why. Altisource does.

Title

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2021

Refinancing means taking out a new mortgage loan and replacing it with your current one. With a lower interest rate, homeowners pay less in interest and can even shorten the length of their loan. So while you might eventually save money from refinancing, you’ll also spend money on closing costs. Pros and cons of refinancing.

Title search

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

In 2023, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced plans to make it easier to buy a home and close the racial homeownership gap in the United States. The research found that title and settlement fees are neither regressive nor represent a significant component of the overall closing costs. In fact, neither is true. increase in fees).

Title

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 29, 2020

We offer a span of comprehensive product options throughout the entire loan lifecycle and help manage loans from start to finish, including title searches, processing, underwriting, closing and disposing of them and even take them into the post-closing and servicing process.

Due diligence

Housing Wire

MAY 17, 2023

“Consumer loan demand was mixed, with home-equity and used auto loans showing some increased demand over the last few months,” the Federal Reserve Board of Governors noted. Another area to watch is the performance of loans approved through automated processes.

Equity

Housing Wire

MARCH 23, 2021

With e-signatures enabled for virtual closings, it has become more difficult for lenders to authenticate income and asset information, while the incentive to cheat is boosted by desperation or perceived opportunity. There were enough significant findings to make these loans unsalable. Underwriters with hidden agendas. Covid challenges.

Lending

Housing Wire

MARCH 15, 2021

Subject to closing conditions, Blend anticipates to finish the deal by the end of the second quarter in 2021, leaving nearly 10% ownership interest to Mr. Cooper upon deal completion. At the time, that transaction closed for just $36 million in cash. and India offices, will join Blend once the acquisition closes.

Title

Housing Wire

APRIL 6, 2021

Linda had a sizable downpayment but still needed to find a way to close the appraisal gap. She received help from family members and was also able to take a loan out against her 401(k) to make up the difference. How hybrid title and valuations help increase lending efficiency. She recently had a deal fall apart due to appraisal.

Title search

Housing Wire

MARCH 1, 2024

However, Fannie Mae’s own research from 2022 found that title insurance is not a significant component of the overall closing costs when buying a home. Accounting for geography, differences in title and settlement costs across groups of borrowers were not “economically meaningful.”

Title