The Mortgage Report

JULY 8, 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? What Are the Different Types of Home Equity Loans and Which Is Best?

Equity

The Mortgage Report

JULY 24, 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

The Mortgage Report

JULY 1, 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? But not everyone can afford to put 20% down.

Loans

Norada Real Estate

JULY 3, 2025

Similarly, refinancing rates show a comparable pattern as homeowners assess their options to either secure lower payments or cash out equity. Today's Mortgage Rates – July 3, 2025: Slight Drop in Home Loans and Refinance Rates Key Takeaways Mortgage Rates : The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now 6.78%.

Loans

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 22, 2024

Mortgage refinance rates hold significant importance for homeowners who aim to lower their monthly payments or leverage their home equity for new financial opportunities. Understanding these rates and how they can impact your financial decisions is crucial as you navigate your home financing options.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 17, 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

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? Verify your home buying eligibility.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Calculated Risk Real Estate

JULY 7, 2025

Pockets of vulnerability can be seen in rising negative equity, increased use of mortgage products that improve short-term affordability, and exposure to student loan debt. Softening home prices expand from the Sunbelt to Western states, driving increased negative equity.

Mortgages

The Close

JUNE 9, 2025

House hacking is a real estate move where you live in a part of your home while renting out the rest, so your tenants help cover your mortgage while you build home equity. Build home equity faster: Tenants help you pay down the mortgage, so your investment grows over time. What is house hacking? It’s perfect for first-time landlords.

VA loan

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 21, 2024

Current Rate : 6.04% Pros : Lower overall interest; quicker equity build-up. FHA and VA Loans For low-income or first-time homebuyers, FHA loans provide essential options. These loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and require lower credit scores and down payments.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 9, 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? But beyond finances, I think mindset matters.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JULY 24, 2025

” Simply put, a down payment is the initial sum of money you pay upfront when buying a home, with the remaining amount financed through a mortgage. 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.

FHA loan

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 13, 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? Verify your FHA loan eligibility. How Much Home Can I Afford?

FHA loan

Redfin

JULY 23, 2025

Key takeaways for your down payment strategy 20% isn’t required: You don’t always need a 20% down payment to buy a home, thanks to various loan options. Faster equity: Putting more money down means you build equity in your home more quickly. Government-backed loans like USDA and VA allow down payments as low as 0%.

FHA loan

Marco Santarelli

APRIL 30, 2025

The lower interest rates mean borrowers can save significantly on interest paid over the life of the loan. Moreover, paying off the loan in half the time allows homeowners to build equity more quickly. Similar to FHA, VA loans , available to eligible veterans and active-duty service members, come with rates around 6.14%.

VA loan

Marco Santarelli

JULY 21, 2025

Loan Types : Government-backed loans typically offer lower rates than conforming loans. Rates Impact : Slight increases in refinance rates may affect homeowners looking to tap equity. Refinance rate increases may limit homeowners' appetite to tap home equity or reduce monthly payments. Conforming vs.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 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? HELOC on a Paid-Off House: Can I Get One?

FHA 203k rehab loan

Marco Santarelli

JANUARY 4, 2025

When you're navigating the complex world of home financing, mortgage rates can significantly influence your financial plans. Cons Higher Total Interest Payments : Though payments are smaller, prolonging the term means you pay more in total interest over the life of the loan.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

JANUARY 25, 2025

For those of us already owning homes, this means you probably have some decent equity built up that you might be able to tap into or use to lower your monthly payments by refinancing. VA Loan Advantages: If youre a veteran or on active duty, you should definitely pay attention to this. It will accelerate your equity building.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JULY 28, 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? Authored By: Erik J.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JANUARY 28, 2025

However, there are other costs you need to account for in addition to the loan itself, such as: Equity payment: Youll need to pay the seller for the equity theyve already built up in the home. The seller must also be in good standing with their loan, meaning it cannot be delinquent.

Loans

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Conventional loans: You have a credit score of 620+, stable income, and can put at least 3% down. FHA loans: You have a credit score of 580+ (or 500+ with 10% down) and a higher DTI ratio. VA loans: You’re an eligible veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse. Service requirements apply.

Loans

Marco Santarelli

MAY 14, 2025

Today's Mortgage Rates – May 14, 2025: Rates Jump by 8 Basis Points After Inflation Data Key Takeaways Current Average Rates : 30-Year Fixed Mortgage : 6.84% ( 8 basis points) 15-Year Fixed Mortgage : 6.06% ( 1 basis point) Texas VA Loan : 5.78% (15-Year Fixed) Refinance Rates : Generally higher than new mortgage rates.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

JUNE 17, 2025

This rate shows no change from the previous week, indicating a period of stability in the housing finance market. Exploring Other Mortgage Options In addition to fixed-rate loans, various mortgage options cater to different financial situations and risk profiles.

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. >> Several loan options, such as FHA or VA loans, only require a down payment of 3.5% How much is a down payment on a house?

Pre-approval

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. Yes, it’s possible!

Principal

Redfin

APRIL 11, 2025

In the past, many homeowners stayed in their starter homes for around three to seven years building equity. One of the biggest advantages of buying a starter home is that you start building equity , which is like a long-term savings plan. >> See more: How to Calculate Home Equity But starter homes have their limitations.

Marketing

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

From finding houses to tour and what financing options you have, theres a lot to learn about buying a home in foreclosure. These properties are often priced below market value, making them attractive to buyers looking for a good deal or hoping to build equity quickly.

Pre-approval

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 16, 2025

For those who qualify for a VA loan , which is a fantastic benefit for veterans, active-duty military, and eligible surviving spouses, the rates are generally a bit lower. The 30-year VA is at 6.15% , and the 15-year VA is even lower at 5.59%. It's a big decision, and understanding today's refinance rates is key.

Mortgages

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

There’s also the matter of home equity to consider. On top of monthly payments and home equity, there are tax deductions for homeowners that you might qualify for and take advantage of once your purchase your home. Census Bureau. Still asking yourself if you should buy a home or continue renting a home ?

Loans

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. Be prepared for higher monthly payments compared to a 30-year loan. These loans often come with no down payment requirements and competitive interest rates.

Mortgages

Redfin

JULY 28, 2025

It offers a $2,500 borrower credit toward the down payment or closing costs of a home, and considers positive rent payments towards loan eligibility. While you will need to pay PMI, you have the ability to cancel it once you reach 20% equity. A homeowner’s education course is also required to qualify for this loan.

VA loan

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

Norada Real Estate

JUNE 7, 2025

In recent weeks, as jobs reports have come in strong, investors shifted capital towards equities, pushing bond prices down and yields up. Government Loans Government-backed loans usually present favorable terms for first-time homebuyers or those with lower credit scores. FHA and VA loans are prominent in this category.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 31, 2025

VA loans are a fantastic benefit for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. They often feature competitive interest rates (like the 6.09% 30-year VA rate today) and typically don't require a down payment. This makes the decision less clear-cut, underscoring the need to compare offers carefully.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

MARCH 27, 2025

VA Loans: Continue to offer potentially lower rates for eligible military-affiliated borrowers. The 30-year VA loan rate is at 6.14%. FHA Loans: May provide lower rates than conventional loans, but typically involve mortgage insurance payments for the duration of the loan.

Mortgages

Marco Santarelli

JULY 1, 2025

Pros: Significantly lower interest rates than 30-year mortgages, allowing you to build equity faster. Your Investment Goals: Are you focused on building equity quickly or minimizing monthly payments? Cons: Higher initial interest rate compared to ARMs, resulting in higher overall interest paid over the long term.

Fixed-rate mortgage