Learning Center
Title Insurance Shopping: The Often-Missed Way to Save Thousands on Your Home Purchase
Most homebuyers know to negotiate purchase price and hunt for the best mortgage rate, but there's another way to save thousands at closing that most people miss: shopping around for title insurance. This required closing cost can vary dramatically between providers...
How to Avoid 3 Common Mortgage Qualifying Surprises
Summary - jump ahead to any section by clicking on these links: 1. Document Overtime, Bonus, Second Job & Commission Income 2. Season and Source Funds to Close 3. Previous Mortgage included in Bankruptcy Tips for Avoiding Surprises during the Home Buying...
Understanding Mortgage Origination Fees
There's more to purchasing your first home than saving a down payment. Many fees are associated with the mortgage application process, commonly bundled under the term "Closing Costs." Among these fees is the mortgage origination fee. What is a Mortgage Origination...
How to Buy a Home in a Competitive Real Estate Market
Despite higher interest rates, the current real estate market has a surplus of buyers, and even more are sitting on the fence waiting for interest rates to drop into the 5% range. To secure victory in this competitive real estate market, prospective buyers need a...
How to Avoid Derailing Your Home Purchase at the 11th Hour
Buying a home is an exciting experience, especially near the end when you’ve got all the elements lined up like neat dominoes, ready to fall in place at the closing table. But like a string of dominoes, a single misplaced tile breaks the chain, taking you back to...
Steps to Take Now to Get a Head Start on Filing Your 2023 Income Taxes
The 2023 tax filing season, which starts on January 29, 2024 and concludes on April 15 (unless you file an extension), is when we are required to file our personal income tax return. While taxes are a simple process for many workers, it’s better to give yourself...
How Increased FHA Loan Limits Benefit First-time Homebuyers in 2025
a Great news for first-time homebuyers who want to purchase a home with a lower down payment and credit score requirements. Starting January 1, 2025, the new FHA floor loan limit will be $524,225 for a single-family home in most parts of the country. In high-cost...
Guide to 2025 Conventional Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits
In response to escalating home prices in 2024, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced a 5.5% increase to the baseline (conventional) conforming loan limit for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2025. As of 1 January 2025, the base...
Jingle Bells and Juggling Bills: First-Time Homebuyer’s Holiday Survival Guide
We are officially entering the holiday season, and we totally get it – you want to enjoy the festivities without losing sight of the prize - getting yourself to a place of financial preparedness to buy a home. We're here to keep you on track so you can navigate the...
6 Tips to Manage Your Money Wisely
Do you have confidence manage your money, or do you find it difficult to budget and plan how to spend and save your income wisely? If it’s the latter, you’re not alone. According to the Financial Health Network, 70% of individuals struggle to achieve financial...
Documents Homebuyers Need to Provide for a Mortgage Loan Application
When you apply for a personal loan, auto loan, or mortgage, your lender will want to verify your identity, employment, income, credit, and assets. Being prepared with the documents that demonstrate your creditworthiness will not only help you to complete the...
Who Gets the House? How to Protect Yourself Financially in a Divorce.
Going through a divorce is a life-altering change that often leads to emotional stress as you and your spouse grieve the end of a marriage. Furthermore, financial anxiety can transpire when you and your spouse have to make significant decisions about the division...
How the Fed and Higher Interest Rates Can Affect Your 2022 Financial Plans
The cost to borrow money is getting very expensive. In an effort to reduce inflation, on July 27th, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the federal funds rate for the fourth time this year. Just like the previous interest rate hike on June 15th, this...