A VA home loan is a mortgage loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It was designed to help the men and women of the U.S. armed forces buy, refinance or improve their homes. Because VA mortgages are backed by the government, the risk…
Who can qualify for a VA loan?
Who can qualify for a VA loan?
Zero money down.* Limited closing costs. No monthly mortgage insurance premiums. Borrower’s choice of a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage. Sounds nice, right? They’re all potential perks of financing your home with a VA loan, but you have to belong to a very particular subset of…
Cost Comparison: Rent or Buy
Cost Comparison: Rent or Buy
There are many benefits to being a homeowner. From a purely financial perspective, there are tools to help determine the cost of renting versus buying a home. Comparing the cost of renting to buying usually depends on key factors, such as budgeted monthly rent, target…
It’s already been a decade since the start of the Great Recession, and many former homeowners sidelined by foreclosure are ready to jump back in the market. If you’re one of them, first of all, hooray! Secondly, we’ve listed a few good first steps to…
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and conventional (or conforming) home loans have long been the most common mortgage options on the market. But which one is right for you? First, it’s important to clear up a major misconception that an FHA home loan is only for…
Getting Ahead of the Bidding War Game
Getting Ahead of the Bidding War Game
Picture this. A home goes up for sale in a sought-after neighborhood. Maybe it’s located in a well-rated school district or offers an ideal commute to work. You see that the home is in your range and try to beat the competition with a fast…