About Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy grew up in La Jolla, California surfing and carving his niche in the local real estate market. Mr. Murphy has a stellar record as a loan officer with over a decade of experience helping people secure the right home loan. He now works at Answer Home Lending in San Diego CA. NMLS #662141

Construction Loan vs. Mortgage Loan

Buying or building a home is one of life’s biggest financial decisions—and choosing the right type of loan can make or break your experience. If you’re torn between building a dream home from the ground up or purchasing an existing property, you’ll need to compare a construction loan vs. mortgage loan to see which fits… Read More »

What FHA Loan Program Is Best for You?

It is not breaking news that FHA loans are some of the most popular on the US market today. Why? FHA loan programs are backed and insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These FHA qualifications feature more flexible underwriting requirements and rates, as well as lower down payments. All of these features make FHA mortgages… Read More »

FHA Property Requirements

Home buyers who want to buy their home with an FHA mortgage may discover an unpleasant surprise: They are not allowed to buy a certain property because it is not up to FHA standards. What Are the FHA Property Requirements to Get Approved? To qualify for a FHA loan, the house must meet the property… Read More »

How to Apply for the Downpayment Toward Equity Act​

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act is a legislative proposal aimed at assisting first-time, first-generation homebuyers in overcoming financial barriers to homeownership by providing substantial grants for down payments and related expenses. As of February 20, 2025, the Act has been introduced in Congress but has not yet become law. However, understanding its provisions and preparing… Read More »

Can I Use Rental Income to Qualify for a Mortgage?

Yes — you can use rental income to qualify for a mortgage in 2026, but lenders apply strict documentation and calculation rules before counting it toward your qualifying income. For an existing rental property, most conventional mortgage lenders follow Fannie Mae guidelines requiring two years of rental history documented on Schedule E of your federal… Read More »

FHA Mortgage for Investment Property?

The allure of real estate investment often leads prospective investors to explore various financing options, including FHA mortgage loans. Many borrowers want to know about FHA loans and investment properties so we are publishing this article to shed some light. Can one utilize an FHA loan to acquire an investment property? These infamous home loans… Read More »

Can You Streamline a VA Loan?

VA Streamline Loans, or Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRLs), are an excellent option for eligible veterans and active-duty service members seeking to lower their mortgage interest rate or monthly payments. These loans are designed to simplify the refinancing process by requiring minimal documentation, often waiving the need for an appraisal or income verification. This… Read More »

How Do I Refinance Mobile & Manufactured Home Loans?

What are the challenges finding a mortgage refinance for a manufacture or mobile home loan? It’s no secret that modular and mobile home refinancing is not available with every lender today. The RefiGuide will help you connect with mortgage lenders offering competitive manufactured home refinance loans. Today’s Rates on Manufactured, Modular, and Mobile Home Loan… Read More »

Best Fixer Upper Loans in 2026

The RefiGuide published this guide for consumers to find the best fixer upper loan programs and get matched with banks, brokers and lenders that meet their needs. Buying a fixer-upper home can be an excellent investment, offering the opportunity to purchase a home at a lower cost and customize it to your preferences. However, getting… Read More »

Shop for the Best Refinance Rates

It no secret that finding the best interest rate when refinancing your current mortgage starts with the shopping process. Not all banks, credit unions and lenders offer the same refinance rates for mortgages. Some lending companies are more aggressive than other banks and factors like credit scores and loan to value are part of the… Read More »