Mortgage Tips & Advice
This website provides a steady stream of mortgage advice, tips and tutorials. We publish new articles on a weekly basis, to keep up with changes in the industry. This website is managed by independent publishers and mortgage researchers — not lenders. We offer free and independent mortgage advice that is designed to help you navigate the current mortgage market. You’ll find the most recent tips and tutorials below.
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Mortgage Industry Outlook and Trends for 2015
With Bank of America and Citi both announcing layoffs in October, you might think the mortgage industry is moving into another slump. Think again. There are several signs that 2015 […]
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Can I get a conventional home loan without 20 percent down?
Reader question: “I read about some new rule that requires borrowers to put down 20 percent on home loans. QM or QRM or something to that affect. Please say it […]
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Choosing the Best Mortgage for You: 3 Steps to Success
Reader question: “My husband and I are hoping to buy a house later this year. We are ‘newbies’ when it comes to mortgage loans. How should we go about choosing […]
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How much house can I afford / qualify for with my salary?
Reader question: “I am trying to figure out how much house I can qualify for with my current salary of around $75,000 per year. I have been reading up on […]
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Definition of a Back End Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio
When shopping for a mortgage loan, you will likely encounter the term back-end debt-to-income ratio, or “back-end DTI” for short. This seemingly harmless number actually has the power to stop […]
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How a 5/1 ARM Loan Works: Advantages & Disadvantages
When shopping for a mortgage loan, you will eventually have to choose between a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Both products have certain pros and cons associated […]
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How Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate
How do credit scores affect mortgage rates? To put it simply, lenders charge higher interest rates on borrowers with lower scores, and vice versa. It has to do with risk. […]
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Should I Use a 15 or 30-Year Mortgage? Which is Better?
Should you use a 15- or 30-year mortgage loan? Which one is better for your particular situation? These are common questions among home buyers and homeowners alike. In this financing […]
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How Can I Reduce My Closing Costs? Can I Roll Them Into My Loan?
Reader question: “I can cover my down payment expense when buying a house. But the closing costs are going to be a bit of a stretch for me. The monthly […]
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How to Apply and Qualify for Government Home Loans in 2014
Reader question: “I am confused by the government home loan programs that are available today. How do they work? How would I apply and qualify for a loan in this […]