News and Advice

Choosing a Lender

First-time homebuyers should choose a qualified home lender, avoiding predatory lenders who pressure customers into unsuitable mortgages.

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Self-Employed Homebuyers

We take pride in helping self-employed entrepreneurs become first-time homebuyers. Read below for our home loan tips and suggestions for business owners.

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What are closing costs?

Understanding closing costs, both what are included in them and how they are calculated, can better prepare you for a smooth loan closing.

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What Is a Mortgage Lien?

This article will help you understand the difference between voluntary and involuntary liens and how they affect mortgage financing.

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Debt-to-Income

The debt-to-income ratio is a calculation of the amount of your monthly income that goes to make debt payments, usually expressed as a percentage. Home lenders use it to determine an applicant’s ability to manage and pay monthly credit bills.

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Home Appraisals

In a home appraisal, a licensed appraiser provides an opinion of the value of the home based on a variety of factors, including the condition of the house, the neighborhood around it and recent sale prices of comparable properties.

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Loan-to-Value

The loan-to-value calculation or LTV is critical to determine the interest rate for which homebuyers qualify and whether or not additional insurance is required.

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Private Mortgage Insurance, Explained

Borrowers who put up less than twenty percent of the purchase price as a down payment on a conventional mortgage are required by the lender to purchase a private mortgage insurance policy. So, what exactly is PMI?

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Home Buying 101

When the time is right to buy your first home, you’ll have lots of questions about the process of obtaining and maintaining a mortgage. We’re here to help with answers and information. Any remaining questions you may have can be directed to our helpful and experienced loan officers who stand ready to assist you turn the dream of homeownership into reality.

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Boost your credit score

Credit scores make a significant impact on the type of mortgage loan offered to a first-time homebuyer. Discover several strategies commonly used to boost low scores and secure better home loan bids.

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