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Category: First Time Homebuyer

  • How can I get pre-approved for a mortgage?

    How can I get pre-approved for a mortgage?
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    Pre-approval for a mortgage is a smart decision that could save time for a borrower looking to purchase a home and smooth the process.   Understanding what a pre-approval is, how it works and steps you need to take to get pre-approved for a mortgage are the first steps you should take if you think a pre-approval could benefit you.   If you plan to get a Read more

  • What are the guidelines, limits and requirements for an FHA loan?​

    What are the guidelines, limits and requirements for an FHA loan?​
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    Are you thinking about buying a home with an FHA loan?  Understanding FHA loan limits could make all the difference in how much you can borrow and the kind of property you can afford.   These limits vary based on where you live and the type of home you’re looking to buy. If affordability is a priority, FHA Read more

  • What’s the difference between a grantor and a grantee? 

    What’s the difference between a grantor and a grantee? 
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    When you buy or sell a home, you’ll often come across terms like “grantor” and “grantee.” These aren’t just fancy legal terms; they identify who is transferring and who is receiving property rights.  In every real estate transaction, whether it’s a home purchase, a family gift or a property transfer during refinancing, understanding who the grantors and grantees are ensures a smoother process.   Are you ready to move forward on a Read more

  • How can I get down payment assistance for a mortgage in 2026?​ 

    How can I get down payment assistance for a mortgage in 2026?​ 
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    A down payment is one of the biggest hurdles many homebuyers face. Fortunately, down payment assistance programs are available to ease the upfront cost of purchasing a home.  The amount you could receive from these programs varies depending on where you live. For some of these programs, homebuyers will need to meet specific criteria or requirements. Using down payment assistance programs can help reduce the amount you will need to borrow Read more

  • What are the ranges of credit scores for a mortgage?​ 

    What are the ranges of credit scores for a mortgage?​ 
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    Credit scores can range from 300 to 850, with each range meaning something to your lender.   Lenders look at credit scores to determine the creditworthiness of a borrower. The higher the credit score, the less risk lenders will see you as when you borrow money to buy a home.  Are you looking to buy a home? Take the first step by starting an online mortgage application.  What does Read more

  • Which cities are the most affordable to buy a home?​ 

    Which cities are the most affordable to buy a home?​ 
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    Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or have done it before, looking at where your dollar is going to go the furthest can be an important part of the homebuying process. That is why we have collected a list of the most affordable cities to buy a home in.  Prepare for buying a home in an affordable city with a mortgage pre-approval.  Read more

  • How much of my income should go to my mortgage?​ 

    How much of my income should go to my mortgage?​ 
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    Whether you’re saving for your first home or considering refinancing for better terms, finding the right balance between your income and monthly mortgage payment is key to feeling financially secure.   But how do you figure out what you can afford without stretching your budget too thin? It all comes down to the percentage of your income you dedicate Read more

  • Which assets and documents can I include on my mortgage application?​ 

    Which assets and documents can I include on my mortgage application?​ 
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    Assets and documentation are important parts of the mortgage application. Knowing what you can include before you begin will allow you to gather documents and save you time when starting the mortgage application process.  Are you ready to start the mortgage process? Begin today with an online application.  Which documents do I need for my mortgage application?  When filling out your mortgage application, you will need to Read more

  • How to buy a house with bad credit

    How to buy a house with bad credit
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    If you have a low credit score, you might think that you won’t be able to buy a house, but that isn’t true. While your options may be a little more limited, you can still buy a house with bad credit.   There are two organizations that rank credit scores: FICO and VantageScore. Both rate on a scale of 300-850, but both take different aspects into consideration when scoring. When you are looking at your credit score, the greater the number, the better your score.  Read more

  • What are closing costs? How much do they cost?

    What are closing costs? How much do they cost?
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    Whether you are a first-time homebuyer looking to purchase a property or a seasoned homeowner looking to sell one, you should expect to pay closing costs.  Closing costs will be a percentage of the value a home sells for. While closing costs do affect a home’s affordability, they are important in making sure that the homebuying process goes smoothly for everyone and is handled professionally.  Ready to begin the home loan Read more