Skip to content

Mortgage Guide

All the information you need to buy a home.

    Featured tools

    HTML, CSS and JavaScript demo
    FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE HOW MUCH? CAN YOU CANCEL IT?

    FHA Mortgage Insurance | How much is it? Can you cancel it?

    All Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans require mortgage insurance. Homebuyers pay two types of mortgage insurance when purchasing a home using an FHA loan. First, you pay..

    Read more

    Mortgage Loan Limits Illinois 2025

    Illinois mortgage loan limits for 2025

    The 2025 Illinois loan limits for conventional, FHA, and VA mortgages determine how much you can borrow depending on the type of loan and property you're buying.

    Read more

    How much is a down payment on a house

    Down Payment | How much is a down payment on a house?

    Most first-time homebuyers need a down payment of at least 3% of the property's purchase price.

    Read more

    Seller Credit Mortgage Purchase NewCastle Home Loans

    Seller Credit | Can the seller pay the homebuyer's closing costs?

    Sellers can pay the buyer's closing costs. A seller credit is a sum of money the property seller agrees to give the homebuyer at closing. The buyer can use the credit to pay..

    Read more

    mortgage rate lock

    Mortgage Rate Lock | How do rate locks work?

    Interest rates fluctuate. A mortgage rate lock freezes your interest rate for a set time, protecting you if it rises. As a result, you know how much your loan will cost before..

    Read more

    Mortgages for non-permanent residents with a pending asylum status

    How to get a mortgage with pending asylum status

    In this article, I'll explain how to get approved for a mortgage to buy a home while waiting for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to decide on your..

    Read more

    DACA Mortgage NewCastle Home Loans Jim Quist

    How to Get a DACA Mortgage Loan

    Getting a loan to buy a home is easier than you think for people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In this article, I'll outline the mortgage process..

    Read more

    Chicago real estate transfer tax calculator

    Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator | Chicago metro area

    Real estate transfer taxes are fees that the state, counties, and local municipalities charge buyers and sellers when transferring property ownership. Use our real estate transfer..

    Read more

    Mortgage debt-to-income ratio

    Debt-to-Income ratio | What is a good DTI for a mortgage?

    A mortgage debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a measure that compares your debt to the income you receive. Mortgage lenders use it to determine how much you can afford to pay for a..

    Read more

    fha loan 3-4 units self-sufficiency test

    FHA Self-Sufficiency Calculator | 3-4 unit properties

    An FHA loan is a good option for financing the purchase of a multi-unit property. However, 3-4 unit properties must be self-sufficient, which means they must have a positive cash..

    Read more

    Departing residence future rental income

    How to calculate future rental income from a departing residence

    With careful planning, you can use the future rental income you'll collect from your departing residence to get approved for a mortgage to buy a new home. I'll explain how in this..

    Read more

    Multi family property mortgage, 2-4 unit home loan

    2-to-4-Unit Home | How to buy a multi-unit property

    Multi-family, 2-to-4-unit homes are affordable and surprisingly easy to buy.

    Read more

    rental income investment property mortgage

    How future rental income can help you buy an investment property

    When buying an investment property, you can use a portion of the future rental income to help you get approved for the mortgage. However, only some real estate investors can use..

    Read more

    VA loan VA funding fee

    VA loan | What is the VA funding fee for 2024?

    In this article, I'll explain the VA funding fee, its cost, who pays it, and who is exempt. Then, I'll give you a few examples so you know what to expect when buying a home with a..

    Read more

    VA loan Certificate of Eligibility

    VA loan | How to read the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

    In this article, I’ll show you how to read and understand the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) quickly. This information will help you determine whether you’re eligible for a VA..

    Read more

    VA credit score, bankruptcy, short sale, judgment, foreclosure

    VA loan | What is the credit score? [580]

    This article outlines VA loan requirements for credit score, bankruptcy, short sale, judgment, and foreclosure.

    Read more

    Can the real estate agent also be the loan officer?

    Can the real estate agent also be the loan officer?

    You can simultaneously hold licenses as a real estate agent and a mortgage loan officer in Illinois. Under certain conditions, you can also serve as the agent and the loan officer..

    Read more

    Non-permanent resident mortgage

    Can a non-permanent resident get a mortgage?

    A non-permanent resident of the U.S. can get approved for a mortgage to buy a home. However, the process may have additional requirements compared to U.S. citizens. In this..

    Read more

    How a mortgage credit check affects your score

    How a mortgage credit check affects your score

    Multiple inquiries from mortgage companies within 45 days are grouped and counted as a single inquiry, which minimizes the impact on your credit score. In this article, I'll show..

    Read more

    principal residence, second home, investment property

    Principal residence, second home, or investment property?

    "Occupancy" refers to how you will use the property you plan to buy. Will it be your principal residence, second home, or investment property? Whether or not you will live there..

    Read more

    Mortgage Discount Points Calculator Jim Quist NewCastle Home Loans

    Mortgage Discount Points | Calculator

    Paying mortgage discount points is a way to lower your interest rate. You pay a lump sum at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate on your home loan. Points allow you to..

    Read more

    Pay closing costs with credit card

    Can I pay mortgage closing costs with a credit card?

    You can use your credit card to pay some of your closing costs when buying a home. But there are limits. I'll give you the details in this article.

    Read more

    Buy a Chicago condo with an FHA loan

    How to buy a condo with an FHA loan

    Buying a condo with an FHA loan can be tricky. The condo must be FHA-approved. But unfortunately, there are few. The chances of finding one in the neighborhood where you want to..

    Read more

    Mixed-use 2-to-4 units FHA loan Jim Quist NewCastle Home Loans

    How to buy a mixed-use property with an FHA loan

    Home buyers can use an FHA loan to buy a mixed-use, multi-unit property with a down payment of only 3.5% of the property's purchase price. FHA's low down payment option and..

    Read more

    Earnest money deposit NewCastle Home Loans Jim Quist

    Earnest Money | How it works when buying a home

    Earnest money shows sellers you're interested in buying their house. It's a small amount, like 1% to 3% of the house price, that you deposit upfront when offering to buy the..

    Read more

    Mortgage Contingency Real Estate Sales Contract Jim Quist NewCastle Home Loans

    Mortgage Contingency | How it works when buying a home

    In this article, I'll explain the mortgage contingency, show you where to find it in a real estate contract, and tell you why you need to know about it when buying a house. First,..

    Read more

    Mortgage Insurance How much is PMI?

    Mortgage Insurance | How much is PMI?

    The cost of private mortgage insurance (PMI) varies depending on several factors, including the lender. Some lenders charge more than others for the same PMI. In this article,..

    Read more

    Can you get a mortgage if you're already a co-signer?

    Can you get a mortgage if you're already a co-signer?

    As a co-signer, you've committed to another person's financial obligation to the loan. You probably co-signed a car loan, student loan, or mortgage to help out a friend or..

    Read more

    PITI Mortgage Calculator NewCastle Home Loans

    What does PITI mean? PITI mortgage calculator

    PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. The term refers to the components of your monthly housing expense.

    Read more

    How a mortgage co-signer can help you buy a home

    When your income, savings, or credit history falls short, adding a co-signer to your application can give you the boost you need to get approved for a mortgage. In this article,..

    Read more

    Can I get approved for a mortgage with income from the marijuana industry?

    How to get a mortgage working in the cannabis industry

    Getting a mortgage and buying a home while working for a state-legalized marijuana business can be challenging due to the legal issues surrounding the cannabis industry.

    Read more

    Mortgage homeowner's insurance

    Homeowners Insurance | How much do you need for a mortgage?

    When buying a home, you must purchase a homeowner's insurance policy that meets the lender's requirements. Homeowner's insurance protects you and the lender in an accident or..

    Read more

    FHA 203k loan home renovation mortgage

    What is an FHA 203k loan?

    An FHA 203k loan is a type of mortgage designed to help homebuyers purchase a property and finance the cost of renovations or repairs into a single mortgage.

    Read more

    Gift letter for a mortgage

    Gift Letter | How to use a gift to buy a home

    In this article, I'll show you the best way to prove that your gift is from an acceptable donor so that everything goes smoothly with your home purchase. You can download the gift..

    Read more

    Prepaid items mortgage escrow account

    How much are prepaid items & mortgage escrow?

    Prepaid items are homeowner’s insurance, mortgage interest, and property taxes you pay at closing when you buy a home. In this article, I'll explain how to estimate the money..

    Read more

    Why a verified mortgage pre-approval is better

    In this article, I explain how a verified pre-approval letter improves your chances of getting the home you want.

    Read more

    When should you get pre-approved for a mortgage?

    When should you get pre-approved for a mortgage?

    Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is generally a good idea before you start looking for a real estate agent or viewing homes to buy.

    Read more

    Cash out refinance debt consolidation mortgage

    Cash-out refinance | Consolidate credit card debt

    In this article, I'll show you how you can take control of your finances by consolidating high-interest credit card debt with a cash-out mortgage refinance.

    Read more

    VA loan | VA cash-out refinance

    The VA cash-out refinance loan gives veterans access to 100% of their home equity. With this mortgage program, you can replace your current conventional or VA loan with a new VA..

    Read more

    What is loan-to-value (LTV) for a mortgage? How to calculate LTV

    Loan-to-Value | How to calculate LTV for a mortgage

    Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a measure that compares the amount of the mortgage loan to the value of the property. Lenders use it to determine the risk of lending you money for a..

    Read more

    What's the difference between mortgage interest rate and APR?

    Because the APR represents the overall cost of your mortgage, it should make it easier for you to compare loan offers to find the best deal on your mortgage. However, APR can vary..

    Read more

    Notice of intent to proceed

    Notice of Intent to Proceed

    The mortgage lender must honor the terms of the Loan Estimate for ten days. If you wait more than ten days after receiving a Loan Estimate to give your intent to proceed, the..

    Read more

    mortgage loan purpose newcastle home loans

    Loan Purpose | How loan purpose affects your mortgage rate

    When applying for a mortgage, the first question on the mortgage application is, "what is the loan's purpose?" You have two options, purchase or refinance. I'll explain how the..

    Read more

    Mortgage staffing agency

    Can you get a mortgage if you work through a staffing agency?

    If you work for a staffing agency, you might need help buying a house. Most banks won't use your staffing agency income to approve your mortgage. And, unfortunately, without a..

    Read more

    Can I get a mortgage if I owe federal tax debt to the IRS?

    Can you get a mortgage if you owe federal tax debt to the IRS?

    Owing federal tax debt makes it harder to get approved for a mortgage, but it’s not impossible to get a home loan with this debt factored in. With careful planning, you can still..

    Read more