You're almost to the finish line. You've found the home of your dreams, secured financing, and your offer has been accepted. You've also likely ordered a home inspection designed to uncover any hidden problems with the property in terms of structural, electrical, or plumbing systems that may harbor undetected flaws. Once the home inspection has…

Saving for a down payment can seem like an overwhelming task if you're on a tight budget. It's just plain not easy to make a plan, stay on that plan no matter what, stay motivated even when your plan goes temporarily awry, and – finally – achieve your desired result. So how do you get…

With mortgage interest rates super low over the past few years, prospective homeowners have rushed to get financing. Since the credit crisis in 2008, lenders have made it more difficult to get a loan. If you are in the market to buy a home or refinance, you'll have three options for a mortgage: Fixed Rate…

A mortgage is the biggest debt most of us will ever carry, and a home is the most expensive purchase we will ever make. That’s why it’s so important to avoid pitfalls like making a major job change right before your home loan closes or failing to anticipate long-term home ownership costs. These mistakes and others can…

“Interest rates are no longer at 60-year lows,” notes Keith Gumbinger, a vice president with HSH.com, a mortgage-information provider. “We got as low as 3.44% for a 30-year conforming loan in December 2012. We’re above those historic lows by almost a full percentage point, but rates are still very favorable.” To make refinancing worthwhile, you typically…

Since obtaining a mortgage is often the largest financial decision in your life it is important for you to know who is involved in your loan application process.   Loan Officer (Mortgage Broker) – This is the person who will meet with you to discuss your program options and recommend to you the best program to meet your needs. The loan…

Is the mortgage-refinancing opportunity of a lifetime slipping away? I suspect the answer is "yes"—and it isn't because I can forecast interest rates. Rather, the Federal Reserve has announced it's cutting back on its bond purchases, and that will likely mean higher interest rates—including rates on new mortgages. "Interest rates are no longer at 60-year…

Are you on the home-buying sidelines this spring because you think you won’t be able to qualify for a mortgage? Do you know what sort of FICO credit scores are being accepted by lenders at the moment — they’re lower than they were a year ago — and whether yours could now be good enough?…

If you’re a homeowner, you probably know that refinancing could mean lower monthly payments, lower interest rates and a shorter-term loan. However, if your mortgage is underwater, a refinance is hard to come by and you may have been turned down in the past. But don’t despair just yet. A government initiative, introduced by the…