If you’re new to the home buying game, you’re probably astonished at the amount of new lingo you need to learn. Do you want a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate mortgage? And once you’ve figured that out, you need to determine what term works best for you. Is it 15 or 30 years or somewhere in […]
Getting your first mortgage loan is always exciting, but it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, too. You’ll supply a good bit of paperwork. Your lender will check your credit. And you may need to save up for a down payment and closing costs. But one item you shouldn’t stress about is whether you can […]
After a financial windfall, such as a pay raise, inheritance money or a generous tax return, your thoughts may wander toward your mortgage, specifically how to pay it down faster. One option is to make additional principal-only payments on your home loan. But you’ll need more than extra money and a desire to pay off […]
Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Every time you make a mortgage payment, it’s split between your principal and interest. Most of your payment goes toward interest during the first few years of your loan. You owe less in interest as you pay down your principal, which is the amount of money you originally borrowed. At […]
Well, that’s the thing about mortgage loans: Many of them surprisingly come with prepayment penalties, which limit your flexibility and can take a bite out of your wallet. There’s a good reason why lenders might not want you to pay the mortgage off early, and we’ll get to that soon. When you’re looking at home […]
What Is Your Principal Payment? The principal is the amount of money you borrow when you originally take out your home loan. To calculate your mortgage principal, simply subtract your down payment from your home’s final selling price. For example, let’s say that you buy a home for $300,000 with a 20% down payment. In […]
During your hunt for a mortgage, you might come across the term “TRID,” or the phrase “Know Before You Owe” – but you may not really understand what it means. Short for TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures, these guidelines are important to understand before you get a mortgage. Let’s take a look at what TRID is and […]
After working through the many stages of the mortgage application process, most home buyers are beyond relieved when their lender tells them they are clear to close – and for good reason. With underwriting, document verification and the offer out of the way, being clear to close – sometimes referred to as “CTC” – in […]
What Does It Mean To Refinance A House? Refinancing the mortgage on your house means you’re essentially trading in your current mortgage for a newer one – often with a new principal and a different interest rate. Your lender then uses the newer mortgage to pay off the old one, so you’re left with just […]
A real estate purchase agreement is a legally binding agreement that governs the purchase and sale of a property. Made between a buyer and seller, it defines the terms of the transaction and the conditions under which a sale will occur. Whether you’re planning to buy a new home, apartment or condo, or looking to […]
