Housing Wire

JULY 25, 2025

Reverse mortgage lenders for years have been beating the drum that a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) product could benefit seniors struggling with increased costs and fixed incomes. Finance of America debuted a new advertising campaign in April focusing on financial flexibility and quality of life.

Equity

Housing Wire

APRIL 1, 2025

This is roughly in line with other proprietary product offerings in the space from companies such as Finance of America (FOA), Longbridge Financial , University Bank , Smartfi Home Loans and Nationwide Equities. It offers adjustable- and fixed-rate options with a maximum loan amount of $4 million.

Mortgages

The Close

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

You also want to add overhead expenses like filing your business entity, advertising costs, real estate commissions and finder’s fees, taxes, and mortgage principal and interest. Personal savings: Using your money can be the cheapest way to finance real estate deals. Hard money loans are most commonly used for fix-and-flip loans.

Hard money loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 8, 2025

What Are the Different Types of Home Equity Loans and Which Is Best? By Valencia Higuera Reviewed By Aleksandra Kadzielawski July 8, 2025 - 5 min read Key Takeaways There are several ways to tap your home’s equity: fixed-rate loans, variable HELOCs, HELOCs with conversion, cash-out refinancing, and home equity agreements.

Equity

The Close

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Open a Business Bank Account Once you have your EIN, set up a business bank account to separate your personal and business finances. Find Financing Sources for Your House Flipping Business Many people wonder how to start a house flipping business without any cash.

House Flipping

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 20, 2024

With a better financial profile, you might qualify for a loan with a shorter term, helping you build equity faster and own your home sooner. You Want to Build Equity Faster: If you're financially stable, refinancing into a shorter-term loan can be a great move. But if you do it right, it can have a positive impact on your finances.

Mortgages

The Residential Specialist

MAY 12, 2025

A score above 100 indicates todays mortgage rates are 16% better than historical norms, meaning financing a home is more affordable relative to past decades. Mortgage Rate Affordability Index = (50-yr Avg Rate/Todays Rate) x 100 Mortgage Rate Affordability Index = (7.74/6.65) 6.65) x 100 = 116 What does this mean for buyers?

Mortgages

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Prior to joining the company, Valverde worked for agencies including the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. He became principal EVP in 2023 before being named acting president upon McCargo’s resignation. Department of the Treasury. Alanna and I worked very closely together and shared a common vision,” he said.

Principal

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 12, 2024

According to data provided by Bankrate, the average rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), and jumbo loans all declined, marking a shift in the housing finance market as of December 12, 2024. for principal and interest. 30-Year Fixed Rate: Now at 6.73% , down from 6.79%.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 17, 2025

These accounts are FDIC-insured for up to $250,000 per account holder, so your principal is protected even if the bank fails. With such a short window, preserving your principal is more important than chasing after higher returns. Find the best first-time home buyer loan for you. Find the best first-time home buyer loan for you.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JUNE 13, 2025

In this Redfin article, we’ll walk you through what’s different as a second-time homebuyer, how to prep your finances, and what strategies ease the transition—whether you’re upgrading in Flagstaff, AZ , downsizing, or just making a change in Fort Worth, TX. In this article: Is it harder to buy a house the second time?

Debt-to-income ratio

The Mortgage Report

JULY 11, 2025

When it comes to finding the right loan to finance your dream home, take the time to research different loan products and better understand how they align with both your short and long-term objectives. Making that mortgage payment versus paying rent builds equity. Verify your home buying eligibility.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JULY 23, 2025

Faster equity: Putting more money down means you build equity in your home more quickly. The amount you’ll be required to put down may vary depending on the loan program you use to finance the home purchase. Establishes the buyer’s immediate equity in the property. How much is a down payment on a house?

FHA loan

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 22, 2025

By understanding these averages, potential homeowners can make informed decisions about home financing. Refinance Rates Today Refinancing can provide several benefits, including lower monthly payments or the opportunity to access equity in your home. This example demonstrates the financial implications of different mortgage types.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MAY 8, 2025

Understanding Today's Mortgage Refinance Rates Just as important as the rates for purchasing a new home are the mortgage refinance rates for those looking to potentially lower their monthly payments, shorten their loan term, or tap into their home equity. There are two main types of mortgage rates: fixed and adjustable.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 16, 2025

Refinancing can be a smart move to lower your monthly payments, shorten your loan term, or even tap into your home equity. This means youll build equity faster and save a ton of money on interest in the long run. 30-Year Mortgage at 6.59%: Your estimated monthly payment for principal and interest would be around $1,914.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 31, 2025

This means your principal and interest payment never changes, offering predictability which many homeowners value. People refinance for various reasons: to get a lower interest rate, to shorten their loan term, to switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate loan, or to tap into home equity (cash-out refinance).

Mortgages

AAOA

MAY 22, 2025

You need to lookthe potential to optimize operations, increase cash flow, and build equity through forced appreciation. Step 2: Get Pre-Approved or Prepare to Raise Capital Before you make offers, get your finances in order. Down Payment Requirements When financing a deal, most commercial lenders require between 20% and 30% down.

Due diligence

Redfin

JULY 24, 2025

The National Association of REALTORS® shares, “Despite the current attention around buyers paying all-cash for homes, the majority of home buyers finance their home purchase. Among primary residence buyers, 74% percent financed their home purchase, a share that rises to 91% among first-time buyers.

Principal

Redfin

JULY 23, 2025

In addition to repaying the principal amount of the loan, the monthly mortgage payment includes additional costs that can vary based on location and mortgage type. While principal and interest make up the bulk of your payment, additional expenses like property taxes and homeowners insurance will impact how much you actually pay each month.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JULY 1, 2025

Personal finance expert and senior contributor at Save My Cent, Andrew Gosselin , says this news shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. You’ll also have less equity in the home upfront, which could impact your need to sell or refinance the home in the future,” Erickson continues. Ponder that mortgage insurance rates can span from 0.5%

Loans

The Close

JULY 16, 2025

Utilize installment sales (seller financing) Also called owner financing, this is a method in which the seller provides money to a buyer thanks to the equity in the property. Each of the payments consists of interest, gain, and principal. The capital gains tax liability is spread over that amount of time.

Sales

Redfin

MAY 9, 2025

Building equity in your property With each mortgage payment you make, you’ll be paying down the principal and increasing the value of your investment. Buying a condo lets you build equity, enjoy tax benefits, and lock in stable payments. Over time, this can result in significant wealth building and financial stability.

Equity

Marco Santarelli

JULY 21, 2025

Rates Impact : Slight increases in refinance rates may affect homeowners looking to tap equity. Current Refinance Rates Overview Refinancing allows homeowners to replace their existing mortgage with a new one, often to benefit from lower rates or tap into home equity. If rates drop to the predicted 6.4% Conforming vs.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 13, 2025

The Amortization Cycle When you first take out a mortgage, a substantial portion of your early payments go toward interest rather than paying down the principal. As time goes on, the balance shifts, and a larger portion of each payment goes toward reducing the principal.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 3, 2025

While this is a general range, your own selling timeline may be shorter or longer depending on your pricing strategy, the home’s location, how quickly you respond to offers, and the buyer’s financing situation. Particularly if you’ve only made small payments toward the principal on your mortgage.

Staging

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 2, 2025

Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart move if you can secure a lower interest rate, shorten your loan term, or tap into your home equity. This means your principal and interest payment will remain consistent, making budgeting much easier. Another advantage is building equity faster.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MAY 3, 2025

Rate Monthly Payment (Principal & Interest) Total Interest Paid (30 Years) 7.00% $2,130 $446,794 6.76% $2,081 $429,284 As you can see, the slightly lower rate could save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan! Home Equity: You'll typically need to have sufficient equity in your home to refinance.

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 27, 2025

In the initial years of a mortgage, a larger portion of your payment goes towards covering the interest, with the remainder reducing the principal , which is the original amount you borrowed. Moreover, you build equity in your home more rapidly with a 15-year mortgage.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 11, 2024

15-Year Fixed Mortgages Conversely, the 15-year fixed mortgage appeals to those looking to save on overall interest payments and repay their loan faster.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 20, 2025

15-Year Fixed: If you're looking to build equity faster and save on interest , a 15-year fixed mortgage is a solid option. Monthly Payment on a $150k Mortgage: With a $150,000 mortgage at a 6.61% interest rate, your estimated monthly payment for principal and interest would be approximately $962.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 27, 2025

For many, especially given the current market conditions centered around high borrowing costs, yes , buying a home with cash in 2025 presents a remarkably strong position, offering distinct advantages that financed buyers just can't touch, though like any big financial move, it requires careful consideration of your own situation.

Finance

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 29, 2025

It affects your monthly payment, how quickly you build equity, and ultimately, how much the entire house will cost you. And the mortgage rate you get can literally save you (or cost you) tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Now, you might be wondering, why do mortgage rates change from state to state?

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

This way, you’ll have a chance to build equity. The longer you own your home, the more equity you’ll build, leading to greater financial return when you decide to sell your home. >> A shorter mortgage term will result in a higher monthly payment since you’ll be paying off the principal balance faster.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 10, 2025

Mortgage lenders typically base their financing on the appraised value or the purchase price , whichever is lower, directly impacting the loan amount. Offer seller concessions or financing: Instead of reducing the core price, you might offer seller credits toward the buyer’s closing costs. “What is an appraisal contingency?”

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

These are key criteria lenders and programs use to determine if you’re eligible for financing and special perks like down payment assistance. In this Redfin article, we’ll be going over what counts as a first-time buyer, what qualifications you’ll typically need to meet, and how to get your finances in shape for your home purchase.

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 4, 2025

So, when you're calculating that 30%, you need to factor in all of these elements, not just your principal and interest payment. On the other hand, a larger down payment means lower monthly payments and more equity from the start. T axes: Property taxes, which can vary significantly depending on location.

Mortgages