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Loan Estimate Explainer
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Sales Contract Explainer
Mortgage Payment Calculator
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FHA Self Sufficiency Calculator
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Discount Points Calculator
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Illinois Transfer Tax Calculator
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Maximum Seller Credit Calculator
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What to expect at closing: Step-by-step for Chicago homebuyers
Closing day is the final step in your homebuying journey and one of the most exciting. Here’s what to expect, from getting "clear to close" to receiving your keys.
How to buy a Chicago condo with a VA loan
Veterans can use a VA loan to purchase a condominium, just like a single-family home. However, there is one crucial difference: the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must..
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..
7-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage (7/6 SOFR ARM)
A 7-year Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a home loan with an interest rate that stays the same for the first seven years, followed by adjustments every six months. After seven..
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..
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..
How to get a mortgage working in the cannabis industry
If you work for a state-legalized marijuana business, getting a mortgage can be challenging. Many lenders don't count cannabis income, which leads to mortgage application..
How to get a mortgage with pending asylum status
Can asylum seekers get a mortgage to buy a home? Yes—but there are some additional steps and important rules to be aware of. In this article, you’ll learn how to qualify for a..
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,..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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,..
Debt-to-Income Ratio | How to calculate DTI
The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares your debt to your income. Lenders use it to decide how much you can borrow for a home.
Seller Credit | Can the seller pay the homebuyer's closing costs?
This article explains how the seller can pay your closing costs when buying a house. You'll learn how they work, when to ask for them, and how to avoid common mistakes.
VA loan | VA funding fee 2025?
In this article, we'll break down the VA funding fee—what it is, how much it costs, who pays it, and who doesn't. We'll also provide clear examples to help you understand what to..
How a mortgage co-signer can help you buy a home
If your income or credit history isn't enough to secure a mortgage, adding a co-signer to your application can improve your chances of approval. This article will guide you..
VA loan | How to read the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
This guide is a practical tool for reading the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Armed with this information, you will be well-prepared to determine whether you can use a VA..
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.
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.
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..
Gift Letter | How to use gift funds for buying a home
This guide explains how to document gift funds for a mortgage and meet lender requirements. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth home-buying process.
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..
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.
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..
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..
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..
VA loan | What is the credit score? [580]
This article outlines VA loan requirements for credit score, bankruptcy, short sale, judgment, and foreclosure.
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..
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.
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..
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..
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..
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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