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

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

For example, if you use a bank for your loan you may already have a pre-existing relationship with them and they sometimes offer very competitive interest rates. Have you tried calling a bank on a Saturday night to get a pre-approval letter? The waiting period will vary based on the type of loan and the lender.

Finance

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Here are the minimum credit scores needed to qualify for certain loans: Conventional loans: 620-660 Jumbo loans: 700 FHA loans: 500-580 VA loans: no requirement USDA loans: typically 620, but can be lower 8. Several loan options, such as FHA or VA loans, only require a down payment of 3.5%

Pre-approval

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

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

MARCH 4, 2025

A 401(k) is a type of retirement savings account, where you elect a certain portion of your income to go into the account. The difference between these two accounts is that traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so youll be taxed once taking them out. How does withdrawing from a 401(k) affect mortgage approval?

Debt-to-income ratio

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? How Much Home Can I Afford?

FHA 203k rehab loan

Housing Wire

MAY 24, 2024

If you’re considering buying a home but worry that student debt will prevent you from securing a mortgage, you’ll need to be strategic about your approach to increase the probability of your application getting approved. Student loan debt may affect your home-buying goals in a few key ways.

Debt-to-income ratio

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

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. Multiple LOs told HousingWire that they’ve had to cut pre-approvals for FHA borrowers by about 15% in response to the rise in interest rates.

FHA loan

HomeLight

OCTOBER 22, 2021

It’s tough to say without a mortgage approval, but it always helps to start with a home affordability calculator. 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. How much can I afford with a VA loan?

Pre-qualification

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. When loan environments are riskier (like during an economic recession), it can be harder to get these kinds of loans.

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. Seek professional advice: Working with a mortgage professional, such as a loan officer or mortgage broker, can provide valuable guidance.

Finance

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

Today, FHA loans represent a fair share of the mortgage market; in 2018, the FHA insured 12.1% As a seller, you’re usually not taking on additional risk by accepting an offer from a buyer pre-approved for an FHA loan than you would with a buyer pre-approved for a conventional loan. down payment.

FHA loan

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 12, 2022

Mortgage Pre-Approval and Pre-Qualification Are Not The Same. Securing conditional approval for a mortgage is the optimal method for determining the amount of borrowing capacity. Obtaining preapproval does not guarantee approval of a mortgage. Stay Comfortably Within Your Debt-to-Income Ratio.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Through the Home Partners program, prospective rent-to-own homebuyers start by filling out a pre-qualification application. If approved, they move to submit a full application. This step includes a credit and background check, income verification documents, and requires an application fee.

Purchase and sale agreement

Realty Biz

JANUARY 19, 2024

This documentation will be necessary when applying for a mortgage pre-approval. If your credit score needs improvement, address any outstanding debts or errors in your credit report. Research different types of mortgages available, such as conventional, FHA, or VA loans.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

MAY 11, 2022

With a plan for regular on-time payments on your debts, you will improve your credit history and score with every payment. . Pay down your overall debt to increase your debt-to-income ratio: Your available credit is also significant in your credit score. Get pre-approved for a mortgage.

Pre-approval

Redfin

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

However, there are other types of home loans, such as FHA-backed loan, Conventional and VA loans if you have served in the military and qualify, that may allow you to put down less than twenty percent while avoiding PMIs altogether. Have a Healthy Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). Get Pre-approved.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

AUGUST 12, 2024

These loans offer significant advantages, including no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates. Additionally, VA loans have limited closing costs and no prepayment penalties. Income stability : Lenders prefer borrowers with a stable income and employment history.

Loans

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) Another major factor that a lender will consider when approving your mortgage loan is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). DTI is calculated by dividing total monthly debts by gross monthly income. VA loan: Backed by the U.S.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 11, 2023

Government-backed loans, such as FHA or VA loans, provide more flexible qualification criteria and specific benefits. How does the mortgage pre-approval process work? Mortgage pre-approval is a crucial step in the homebuying process. How can borrowers improve their chances of getting a mortgage?

Pre-approval

Redfin

AUGUST 3, 2022

Here are the steps to determine how much house you can afford: First, determine your debt to income ratio (DTI). This is your monthly expenses versus your cash intake or the bills you pay divided by your gross monthly income. Debts include recurring bills, such as car payments, daycare payments, and student loans.

Purchase and sale agreement

Marco Santarelli

OCTOBER 6, 2023

However, certain programs like FHA loans and VA loans allow for lower credit scores. FHA loans can accept a credit score as low as 500 with a higher down payment, while VA loans often require a credit score of 580. VA Loan: VA loans are exclusively available to veterans and service members.

VA loan

Windemere Buying

OCTOBER 18, 2021

Not getting pre-approved Getting pre-approved is a key component of the early stages of the buying process and will help to maximize your chances of getting your offer accepted. Because new credit changes your debt-to-income ratio, lenders will likely want to review your mortgage approval and your risk of non-payment.

Pre-approval

HomeLight

MAY 31, 2021

One of the first things you’ll want to know is just how much house you can afford , which is based on your income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and savings amount (including your down payment). I had some clients a few years ago that had trouble qualifying because they had a lot of debt.

Mortgages

Redfin

MAY 16, 2023

Get pre-approved from a lender Getting pre-approved from a lender before you start touring or looking for homes is another important part of buying a home in Maryland. Having a pre-approval letter in hand when you start your search shows sellers that you are a serious buyer and can afford the homes you are interested in.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

JULY 10, 2024

This is significantly higher than the pre-pandemic rates, which hovered around 3-4%. Possibility of Faster Approval Process: The terms and rates are already established, potentially leading to a quicker approval process. Approval and Transfer: Signing of the assumption agreement and official transfer of the loan.

Pre-qualification

Redfin

APRIL 7, 2023

Get pre-approved for a mortgage My advice to first-time homebuyers is to find a good loan officer and get pre-approved, fully underwritten approval is best. Work with that loan officer and their agent to understand what timeframes they’re comfortable with in an offer.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

MAY 29, 2025

Your Financial Profile: Your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and the size of your down payment all play a significant role in determining your mortgage rate. Work on paying down debt and correcting any errors on your credit report.

Mortgages

HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

There are plenty of mortgage loan calculators to be found online, and generally speaking, lenders don’t want to see your total debt, including your mortgage payment, exceed 45% of your income; some borrowers can go up to 50%. This is known as your debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Inspection

HomeLight

MARCH 28, 2022

If you’re planning on using a VA loan, how does that impact affordability ? The VA funding fee can increase every time you use your VA loan. What’s your income, debt, and credit score? Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of monthly debt you’re carrying relative to your income.

VA loan

HomeLight

JUNE 30, 2021

Because USDA loans require little to no down payment, you can expect to pay an upfront insurance premium, between 1% and 2% of the loan amount. Borrowers are expected to pay a fee of about 0.35% to 0.40% of the loan amount throughout the year. VA loans are backed by the U.S. of the loan’s total value.

VA loan

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

That’s because your lender is looking at what you pay in debts each month relative to your income. Once you connect with a good lender, find out what your loan options are. Some loans like FHA loans , USDA loans , or VA loans allow you to purchase a home with a low down payment (3.5%

FHA loan

The Close

DECEMBER 29, 2022

It’s an official form certifying that a veteran has met the terms that qualify someone for a VA loan. VA loans might have a lot of red tape, but they can be excellent, affordable options for service members and their spouses. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Pre-approval.

Purchase and sale agreement

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 24, 2024

Government-Backed Loans: Options like FHA, VA, and USDA loans can assist first-time buyers with lower credit scores. Pre-Approval is Crucial: Understanding your budget helps streamline your home search and secures competitive offers.

Loans

Marco Santarelli

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

But this table gives you a solid overview of where things stand: Loan Type Current Rate 30-year Fixed 6.50% 20-year Fixed 6.25% 15-year Fixed 5.83% 5/1 ARM 6.50% 7/1 ARM 6.45% 30-year VA 5.98% 15-year VA 5.48% 30-year FHA 6.09% 15-year FHA 5.55% As you can see, the 30-year fixed is sitting at 6.50%. Refinancing?

Mortgages