Mortgage Guide

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

Sellers can pay the buyer's closing costs. It's called a seller or closing costs credit when the sellers of a property agree to credit a sum of money to the buyer at closing time...

Mortgage Discount Points | Calculator

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

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

If you're considering buying a home, you should know you have choices regarding a down payment. The popular belief is that homebuyers need 20% of the property's purchase price...

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..

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..

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..

What does PITI mean? How to calculate PITI

PITI is an acronym for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. Mortgage lenders use it to describe the four main components of a mortgage payment:

Earnest Money | How it works when buying a home

Earnest money is a deposit made by you, the homebuyer, to demonstrate that you are serious about purchasing a property. The earnest money is held in escrow and applied toward the..

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..

Mortgage Rate Lock | How an interest rate lock works

Like stock prices, mortgage interest rates constantly change. By locking in, you freeze the lender's rate and origination charges. As a result, you know how much your loan will..

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..

principal residence, second home, investment property

Principal residence, second home, or investment property?

When you buy a new home, who lives there will help determine how much your mortgage will cost.

All the information you need to buy a home.

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