Buying a house is more expensive than ever. Home prices in California are 10% higher than a year ago and still increasing. As the Fed raises interest rates, the real estate market might cool off a bit, but prices won’t be dropping any time soon.
For most borrowers, proving income is the easiest part of the process. Submit a couple of pay stubs, perhaps ask your employer for a proof-of-income letter, and you’re all set.
The average real estate commission in 2021 was 5.49 percent. On a $450,000 home, that amounts to $24,705—almost as much as the average price of a used car.
If you’ve ever researched the mortgage process, you were—and maybe still are—completely confused by all the different people involved.
Mortgage Rate Series Part 1: Understanding the Cost Components of a Mortgage Rate
Mortgage lenders don’t shy away from risk… so long as they can price that risk at a level that they can make a profit.
A good mortgage broker is a teacher, coach, financial advisor, and real estate financing expert all wrapped up into one.
If you’ve purchased a home before, then you’re familiar with the investment of time and money that goes along with it. The prospect of moving into a new home can be even more exciting as you upgrade to a bigger house or a new neighborhood, this time with experience.
How shopping for a mortgage affects your credit is a top concern for many first-time homebuyers. For the most part, this concern is overblown… if you take the right precautions.
If you’re researching mortgages or in the process of applying for a mortgage, you’ve likely come across the names Desktop Underwriter and Loan Product Advisor. But if your lender or loan officer tries to explain what they do, it might leave you at a loss.