Before you apply for a mortgage, you need to check your credit. But before you turn to Credit Karma to do so, here is something you need to know: the score the free tool shows you will not be representative of the score the lender will pull. This is a matter that has led to […]
How to Fix Credit Report Errors When Buying a Home
Are you trying to purchase a home or refinance a mortgage? If so, you know that your credit score is one of the main factors that determine what mortgage rates you are eligible for. One important step to take before you apply for a home loan is to check your credit report. Your score is […]
How to Improve Your Chances of Mortgage Approval During Retirement
If you are retired and want to buy a home, you may wonder how retirement impacts your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and what you can do to improve your eligibility. The first thing to know is that under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, no lender can legally refuse to offer you a mortgage […]
How to Minimize Closing Costs
Along with your down payment, interest rates and mortgage premiums, you need to think about the closing costs of your mortgage. The closing costs for mortgage include several different fees, such as: • The loan origination fee • The appraisal fee • The cost to pull your credit report • Discount points • Attorney fees […]
What Can You Do About Rising Housing Costs?
If you been shopping for a home in Seattle, Bellevue, or elsewhere in Washington state, you are probably aware that housing costs have been rising rapidly. Home values themselves have been soaring, and Washington State mortgage rates have also done some climbing over recent years. If this has left you wondering how you can afford […]