Mortgage Tips

This was the first category I created when this website was created in 2006.

And it’s really why I launched the site to begin with. To educate prospective home buyers and existing homeowners.

Simple guides and practical mortgage tips can help you better understand and prepare for the home loan process.

Same goes for answering mortgage questions and brushing up on the latest mortgage lingo.

Sometimes home buyers focus exclusively on the real estate piece while ignoring the home loan part.

This can result in some bad decisions when it comes to getting a mortgage. Or simply overpaying because of missteps (or a lack of shopping around!).

Learn how to get a mortgage, refinance an existing loan, and discover the many different loans programs available today.

You’re not financing a TV, or a car for that matter. It’s a big purchase and it deserves a lot more time and attention.

Arm yourself with knowledge early on and you’ll likely enjoy a better outcome.

2019 Mortgage and Real Estate Predictions

First off, here are my 2018 predictions in case you want to see how they panned out. Overall, I think I did alright, though my… Read More »2019 Mortgage and Real Estate Predictions

When you apply for a mortgage, underwriters will comb through your finances to determine if you’re a good candidate for a loan. This includes verifying… Read More »What Is Verification of Employment for a Mortgage? Proving Your Job History

If you already own some real estate, perhaps a house or a condo, and are looking to move on, you might ask yourself if it’s… Read More »Sell Your House or Rent It Out? The Pros and Cons

In a perfect world, you could tap into your home equity and lower your mortgage interest rate at the same time. But because interest rates… Read More »How to Get Cash Out of Your Home in a Rising Rate Environment

It’s that time of year again, when we enter the housing doldrums and everyone in the industry begins to panic. Further exacerbating things this time… Read More »Don’t Make the Mistake of Calling the Housing Top Too Early

If you’re one of many people out there who happens to bring in money from a so-called “gig economy” job, you might be wondering if… Read More »Getting a Mortgage with a Gig Economy Job

If you speak to any financial planners or so-called experts on the matter, they’ll probably say, “Yes, pay off your mortgage before you retire.” But… Read More »Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? There Are Pros and Cons

While mortgages are largely a commoditized product, unlike perhaps a TV or a smartphone with unique technology, their cost can still vary considerably by lender.… Read More »Mortgage Rates Vary by Lender, So Take the Time to Shop Around

One trend I’ve been seeing lately is buying a multi-unit property, such as a duplex, and renting out one unit while living in the other.… Read More »Getting a Mortgage on a Duplex, Triplex, or Fourplex

Mortgage Q&A: “What is a gift letter?” A reader recently inquired about mortgage gift letters, so instead of simply answering their question, I figured I’d… Read More »What Is a Gift Letter for a Mortgage? Know the Key Requirements