VA IRRRL: Eligibility and Benefits

If you currently have a VA-backed home loan and are looking to reduce your monthly mortgage payments, an interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL) may be right for you.  Refinancing lets you replace your existing loan with a new one under different terms. In order to be eligible, all of the following must be true:…

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How to Avoid PMI Insurance with VA Loans

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance required by lenders for certain mortgages, such as a conventional loan. Conventional mortgages often require private mortgage insurance when less than 20% of a home’s purchase price is put down.  The cost of PMI insurance can vary, but a good guideline is between 0.5 – 1%…

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VA Loan Funding Fee: Who is exempt?

A VA Loan is a benefit for military service provided to eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses.  The majority of veterans who buy or refinance a home with a VA Loan have to pay a one-time funding fee. This fee is in place to protect the VA Loan program when mortgages default.  The amount…

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VA Loans: What are they and who can qualify for them?

A VA Loan is a military service benefit provided for eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses.  VA Loans are backed by Ginnie Mae and they offer many benefits over conventional loans. Some of the advantages are interest rates which are lower by .25%-.5%, no down payment requirement, flexible credit requirements, and no PMI. With…

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Jumbo Loans: What Are They and Do They Cost More?

If you are looking to buy a home, you need to consider which type of mortgage you’re going to use. You could go with a regular conforming mortgage, but if you want a more expensive home then you will probably need a jumbo mortgage.  A jumbo mortgage is a loan that exceeds the Federal Housing…

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Interest-Only Jumbo Mortgages

As a qualified borrower, you can take advantage of lower, interest-only monthly payments at the start of your loan. This allows you to have more money in your budget for other expenses, improvements, or investments.  Interest-only mortgages help borrowers qualify for bigger loan amounts, while also freeing up funds during the interest-only period of the…

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Jumbo Loans: Rates and Requirements

If you are looking to purchase a home that is more on the expensive side, you may be wondering if there are loan options large enough.  Conforming loans typically must adhere to the limits and requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In most areas, the conforming limit is $647,200. Whereas, jumbo loans do…

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HomeReady Mortgage: Down Payment & Income Requirements 

If you are buying a house, finding the right type of mortgage to finance the home is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Many buyers believe they have to commit to a 20% down payment. The truth is there are options available through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that make lower…

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HomeReady Loan: What Is it and Who Can Qualify? 

Many people assume they can’t buy a home because they don’t have a big enough down payment. The truth is, there are several loan options that can help bypass this obstacle, such as the HomeReady mortgage.  The HomeReady mortgage is a conventional loan and is one of the easiest mortgage programs to qualify for. With…

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