The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 5, 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? In this article (Skip to.)

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

Even if you can afford the payments, adding new debt may reduce your loan approval or lead to higher interest rates. >>Discover: How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: 7 Steps for Success 7. These require a higher credit score and must fall within conforming loan limits. FHA Loan: Require only 3.5%

VA 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

Marco Santarelli

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

VA and FHA Loans : Competitive rates with a 30-year VA at 5.98% and FHA rates starting at 5.75%. Understanding VA and FHA Loans For first-time homebuyers or those with limited funds for a down payment, VA (Veterans Affairs) and FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans are two excellent options to consider.

FHA loan

Redfin

JULY 31, 2025

If you’re unsure where to start, check with HUD-approved counseling agencies, non-profit organizations, and local housing authorities to find available courses. State and local programs: Cities and states may offer down payment assistance, forgivable loans, or closing cost help. These require just 3.5%

Purchase and sale agreement

The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 7, 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? Time to make a move?

Redfin

APRIL 11, 2025

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help you understand what you can afford. From there, you can consider different loan options for buying your first home, like: Conventional loans : May require a larger down payment but could have lower long-term costs for buyers with good credit.

Marketing

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 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?

VA 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. A higher credit score is generally associated with high reliability, improving your chances of a mortgage approval.

Debt-to-income ratio

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.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 20, 2021

The four-bed property was perfect for the pre-Covid reality, but it is challenging to afford right now. Wilen’s case illustrates how some Americans have a lot to lose if policies designed to help mortgage borrowers don’t break right. A component of the American Rescue Plan Act, it was approved by Congress in March.

Pre-approval

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Bill Bymel, managing director at Spurs Capital , an investment manager specializing in distressed mortgages, said that about 15% of the overall portfolio during the pandemic contained non-communicative borrowers, up 50% compared to the same pool of borrowers pre-COVID. For example, with Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) loans, 1.5

Loans

Lab Coat Agents

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

FHA mortgage: A mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a good option for first-time homebuyers and other borrowers with limited resources. The minimum down payment for an FHA loan is 3.5%. VA loans typically offer favorable terms, including no down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premiums.

FHA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

What’s a 203(k) loan? The Section 203(k) program, by contrast, is specifically designed to provide funds to both buy and renovate, upgrade, and repair a home. Another cap on the loan amount involves the regional FHA loan limit. Only lenders that have been approved by the FHA can offer 203(k) loans.

Loans

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

OCTOBER 27, 2020

If you are employed full-time, and your salaried job is your only source of income, you can usually get away with providing your W-2s and a paycheck stub when applying for a loan — you won’t need to provide tax returns. That’s not true of every loan, though. What’s a qualified mortgage loan? . down payment.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

For example, both conventional and FHA loans offer first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with only 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% down (FHA). USDA Rural Development loans also allow for 100% financing (or 0% down). You may have a preapproval, but a preapproval does not guarantee formal loan approval.

Debt-to-income ratio

Lab Coat Agents

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

The seller’s lender must approve the assumption, guaranteeing the buyer is creditworthy and capable of managing the mortgage payments. This approval process helps protect the lender’s interests while offering flexibility for buyers looking to save on their home purchases. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

AUGUST 12, 2024

Because they meet federal guidelines, conforming loans typically offer lower interest rates due to reduced lender risk and are easier to qualify for compared to non-conforming loans. Jumbo loans / non-conforming loans Non-conforming mortgage loans, commonly known as jumbo loans, exceed the loan limits set for conforming mortgages.

Loans

Redfin

MAY 5, 2025

If you’re thinking of buying a home, get pre-approved with a mortgage lender now to find out where you stand. That’s why it’s so important to get pre-approved early and find out where you stand in a lender’s eyes. Additional pre-approvals are also unlikely to hurt you. down payment.

Pre-approval

HomeLight

AUGUST 20, 2021

The appraisal is a crucial step in the closing process; your home must appraise for equal to or more than the sale price for the buyer’s lender to approve their mortgage. FHA loans require a special appraisal. The FHA appraiser ensures that the property meets HUD’s minimum property requirements.

FHA loan

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 24, 2024

We'll delve into understanding credit scores, exploring your loan options, and uncovering effective strategies to improve your chances of approval. Minimum Credit Score: The minimum credit score requirement for an FHA loan can be as low as 500, although a score of 580 or higher generally qualifies you for more favorable terms.

Mortgages

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. Did you know?

Pre-approval

HomeLight

DECEMBER 27, 2021

By following these pre-listing suggestions step by step, you can achieve a smoother and more profitable home-selling experience. Some lenders, such as FHA, have minimum property requirements that must be met for loan approval. See tip 14 to learn how a pre-listing home inspection can give sellers a huge advantage.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 24, 2024

In a competitive market, a buyer with a pre-approved mortgage is often seen as more attractive by sellers. FHA Loans: Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, these loans are designed for borrowers with lower down payments (as low as 3.5%).

Pre-approval

HomeLight

OCTOBER 2, 2020

The pandemic increased the potential risk of lending, which translated to more overlays, or requirements designed to protect lenders for riskier loans. Overlays are lender-specific, so switching lenders may make sense if you’re worried about your loan not being approved.

Closing

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved counseling agency, providing more than 31% of the housing counseling in the country. “It’s My partners use this strategy when it comes to getting a low-income client approved and getting into that home,” Rosas adds. Loans and programs for buyers with lower incomes.

Loans

Redfin

MAY 2, 2023

Additionally, it’s important to review your credit report and score, as these can impact your ability to get approved for a mortgage and affect your interest rate. Colorado has several first-time homebuyer programs that can provide aid, such as the CHE Down Payment Assistance Loan , which offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance.

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. USDA Loans: Designed for rural property buyers and are also assumable.

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

You want to get pre-qualified , and you want to know what types of programs are out there so you can understand your goal and how to budget.”. Knowing where you stand now can help you develop a strategy that will best position you for mortgage approval when the time comes to buy. down for a FHA loan.

Loans

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Government-Backed Loan Programs: The availability of programs like VA and FHA loans makes it easier for certain populations to buy homes in these markets, leading to increased homeownership. The stable and growing job market plays a crucial role in drawing in both residents and businesses, which in turn drives up housing demand.

VA loan

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 3, 2024

Not Saving Enough for a Down Payment: Many assume a 20% down payment is mandatory, but with options like FHA loans, you might be able to secure a mortgage with a smaller down payment. However, remember that a larger down payment often means lower interest rates and monthly payments. Research available options in your area.

Closing costs

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

Or that FHA loan limits vary widely, too? Buyers who are moving from one area of the country to another could be shocked at the difference in prices and loan limits. After you submit your documentation, you’ll know what kind of budget you have to work with, or your approval “ceiling.”. Source: (Mark Olsen / Unsplash).

Inspection

HomeLight

MAY 19, 2022

If the home is part of a designated historic district. Consider a pre-listing inspection. A pre-listing home inspection is the same as a standard home inspection except that the seller pays for it before listing their home on the market. Not every buyer who has an approval letter will get to the finish line.”.

As-is

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 24, 2025

Conforming Loans: These loans meet the criteria set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsored enterprises that buy mortgages from lenders. They typically have lower interest rates than non-conforming loans.

Mortgages

HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

You can go through your household items and sell them on various sites like eBay, or set up shop on one of the many used clothing sites, such as Poshmark or Tradesy (think of that designer outfit you bought and wore exactly once…). Explore first-time buyer programs. Under this program, HomeLight buys the home (in cash!)

Inspection

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 30, 2025

Explore options like FHA loans which can have lower down payment requirements (as low as 3.5%). Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Discover high-quality, ready-to-rent properties designed to deliver consistent returns. The combination of high prices and rates can feel daunting. However, don't get discouraged.

Equity