While the basic Rule-of-Thumb for acceptable credit history is a minimum of four trade lines documented on a credit report, there are alternative methods of building a credit picture that an underwriter can use to make a decision for a …
What’s The Difference Between A Primary Residence, Second Home and Investment Property?
When applying for a mortgage, a borrower’s “Occupancy Type” is a major factor in the amount of down payment required, loan program available and mortgage interest rate. Whether you are purchasing, doing a rate/term refinance or taking equity out of …
What’s My Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio?
Debt-to-Income (DTI) is one of the many new mortgage related terms many First-Time Home Buyers will get used to hearing. DTI is a component of the mortgage approval process that measures a borrower’s Gross Monthly Income compared to their credit …
Calculating Loan-to-Value (LTV)
Understanding the definition of Loan-to-Value (LTV), and how it impacts a mortgage approval, will help you determine what type of loan amount and program you may qualify for. Since the LTV Ratio is a major component of getting approved for …
Common Documents Required For A Mortgage Pre-Approval
Even though many lenders are still quoting quick 10 minute pre-qualifications over the phone or online, a true mortgage approval that holds any weight is one that has been issued by an underwriter who has had an opportunity to review …
Top 8 Things To Ask Your Lender During The Application Process
Knowing what questions to ask your lender during or before the loan application process is essential for making your mortgage approval process as smooth as possible. Many borrowers fail to ask the right questions during the mortgage pre-qualification process and …
Top Mortgage Terms To Know
While most mortgage web sites offer a glossary containing hundreds of real estate and lending related terms, we wanted to highlight the top terms that most borrowers will hear several times throughout the approval and home buying process. Understanding the …
Who Owns My Home If I Have A Mortgage?
Many borrowers believe that when they purchase a property by obtaining mortgage financing, they also own their home. Technically speaking, full ownership on a property only happens once the mortgage loan amount has been paid in full. To break this down …
Four Possible Reasons To Refinance
A mortgage is generally the largest debt most homeowners have to manage. It’s a good idea to give your personal real estate finance portfolio a check-up at least once a year. Since there are many reasons a homeowner may choose to refinance, …