Home Purchase

9 easy steps to buying your first home

Buying your first home. It’s an important step for your longterm financial future, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult or challenging. But there is a process. We’ve broken ...

5 steps to take control of your finances and save for your dream home

If you’ve ever run a marathon, then you know just how much training and preparation goes into the final event. You lay out a proper tr...

Why interest rates aren’t the only factor that matters when choosing a lender

Our home is more than just four walls and a place to eat and sleep. It’s where memories are made and some of our biggest life events happen. But did you know that for most Americans, a home is also the biggest asset they own?

5 ways homebuyers can protect their personal info

Anytime you share personal data about yourself over the internet, you put yourself at risk. This especially applies to anyone applying for a loan. But don’t stress. There are plenty of ways t...

Guide to understanding mortgage terms

Just about every industry has its own jargon that makes perfect sense to insiders but often confusing for everyone else. The home loan business is no different. Points. APR. Closing costs. FHA. ...

5 ways to save natural resources throughout the year

Today, most of us are looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, both for taking care of the environment as well as for adding some dollars back into our monthly budgets. Thankfully, when it ...

Decoding lender lingo: The ABCs of mortgage acronyms

Have you ever been on the phone with your mortgage banker and felt like they were speaking an entirely different language? Well, that’s because, to a certain extent, they are. Mortgage professionals use so many acronyms so often that they’ve basically created their own language, and it’s not unusual for customers, especially first-time homebuyers, to get confused.

5 critical factors that impact your credit score

(Article Updated April 12, 2019)

Your credit score is a number that affects your everyday reality. It determines your ability to borrow money to purchase a home, ...

Considerations for Buying a Vacation Home

Whether you’re dreaming of a owning a vacation home near the beach, in the mountains or anywhere in between, buying a vacation property can have both personal and financial benefits. Accordin...

Is now the time to consider an adjustable rate mortgage?

An adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM, is a home loan that offers a variable interest rate over the course of the loan. ARMS usually begin with an initial fixed interest rate for a specified pe...