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Mortgage Guide

All the information you need to buy a home.

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    Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock Your Rate

    Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock Your Rate (And When to Wait)

    Mortgage interest rates can change daily. A mortgage rate lock protects you from those changes while your loan moves toward closing. When you lock your rate, the lender guarantees..

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    Earnest Money Deposit Explained Chicago Homebuyers

    What Is Earnest Money When Buying a Home?

    An earnest money depositis money a homebuyer submits with a purchase offer to show serious intent to buy a property.

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    Seller Credit Closing Costs Chicago

    Seller Credit: Can the Seller Pay Your Closing Costs?

    A seller credit is money the home seller contributes toward the buyer’s closing costs. A seller credit can reduce the cash you need to buy a home. This guide explains how seller..

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    Mortgage discount points break even calculator

    Mortgage Discount Points: Break-Even Calculator

    Mortgage discount points sound like a smart way to lower your rate. For most buyers, they are not. Points require cash upfront, and many homeowners sell or refinance before..

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    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..

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    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..

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    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.

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    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..

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    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..

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    Mortgage homeowner's insurance

    How homeowner’s insurance works when you have a mortgage

    When you buy a home, your lender will require a homeowner’s insurance policy to protect both you and the property. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the right coverage,..

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    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..

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