Embark on the exciting journey of home buying with confidence. Our articles cover everything from the basics of house hunting to the intricacies of mortgages, ensuring you’re well-prepared every step of the way.
The short answer surprises most buyers. On a ten-year horizon, the 20% down payment is not only the cheapest option in equity terms, it is also the cheapest in total cash spent. The crossover arrives around year eight. After that point, the small down payment has cost more money out of pocket, not less. That… Read More »
A seller agrees to cover some of your closing costs. Before you write it into the contract, there is a limit — and it depends on which loan you’re using and, on conventional financing, on how much you’re putting down. How Much Sellers Can Legally Pay Toward Closing? Conventional loans cap seller contributions at 3%,… Read More »
Can I buy a house with debt from student loans? Yes. Student loan debt does not disqualify you from a mortgage, at any balance. I want to be direct about that, because it’s the single most common misconception I encounter. There is no balance threshold that triggers an automatic denial. There is no rule that… Read More »
In nearly thirty years of mortgage lending, I’ve watched the same conversation play out hundreds of times. A renter sits down believing they need 20% down, learns they don’t, and then gets steered straight to FHA, because that’s the program most loan officers reach for first. Freddie Mac’s 3% Down Program Most Renters Never Hear… Read More »
The dream of homeownership often feels out of reach for many Americans, primarily due to one significant barrier: the down payment. However, zero down home loans offer a pathway to homeownership without the need for substantial upfront savings. In 2026, these no down-payment loan programs are experiencing renewed interest as housing affordability challenges persist and… Read More »
Buying a home with bad credit is not always easy as most mortgage lenders create home financing programs based on borrowers with established credit histories. Learn how to buy a home with bad credit and low scores from the lending professionals online. All signs point towards 2026 being a unique opportunity for consumers to buy… Read More »
Yes — you can buy a manufactured home with a USDA loan in 2026, but five specific conditions must all be met simultaneously and the most important one surprises most borrowers: the home must be brand new and never previously installed or occupied at any other site. Unlike FHA loans which allow existing manufactured homes,… Read More »
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 »
Yes. The VA sets no minimum credit score and that requirement comes entirely from individual lenders, and it’s called an overlay. The published minimums scores range from roughly 550 to 640 in 2026, with 620 most common and some specialty lenders funding down to 500 through manual underwriting. Below 600, files typically fail automated underwriting… Read More »
Homeowners with bad credit scores have been searching for hard money loans and private money mortgages this year. If you have poor credit and you still want to get a home loan, either for your own home or an investment property, you still could have some hard money loan options available. In most cases, traditional… Read More »
