Buying Your First Home
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How to Rate Shop for a Mortgage Without Hurting Your Credit Score
Shopping multiple mortgage lenders does not multiply the hit to your credit score. Under current FICO scoring models, multiple… Read more
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How to Get a VA Loan on a Condo
Yes, you can use a VA loan to buy a condo, but the condo project itself, not just your… Read more
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Online Mortgage Lender Comparison: Rate, Fees, and Close Time (2026)
There isn’t a reliable, apples-to-apples ranking of online mortgage lenders by name on conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo rates,… Read more
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Are Online Mortgage Lenders Cheaper on Closing Costs? Here’s What’s Actually Comparable
Most of what shows up in your total closing costs, appraisal, title insurance, taxes, escrow, is priced by third… Read more
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What Is a Mortgage Appraisal and How Does It Work With an Online Lender?
A mortgage appraisal is an independent, licensed appraiser’s estimate of a home’s market value. Your lender requires it to… Read more
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What Is a VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
A VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the document that proves to a lender you meet the VA’s service… Read more
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VA Loan vs. FHA Loan: Which Is Better For Veterans?
For eligible veterans, a VA loan is almost always the better default: $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and… Read more
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Can I Get a Mortgage Online If I’m Self-Employed?
Yes. Self-employed borrowers can qualify for and close a mortgage entirely online, the same as W-2 employees. What changes… Read more
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How to Refinance With a VA IRRRL: Step-by-Step Guide
Refinancing with a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) takes six steps: confirm eligibility, pass the net tangible… Read more
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Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock, How Long, and Float-Down Options
A mortgage rate lock is a lender commitment to hold your quoted interest rate for a defined period, regardless… Read more
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Does Tomo Mortgage Offer VA Loans?
Tomo Mortgage offers VA purchase loans and VA refinancing for veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses, available… Read more
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VA Funding Fee 2026: How Much It Costs and Who Is Exempt
The VA funding fee is 2.15% of the loan amount for a first-time VA loan with less than 5%… Read more
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How Much Does a $0 Origination Fee Save You?
A $0 origination fee saves you the full amount another lender would otherwise charge, typically 0.5% to 1% of… Read more
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Is E-Closing Legal in My State?
E-closing your conventional, FHA, VA, or jumbo loan with a remote online notarization (RON) is legal in most states… Read more
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Can I Use a VA Loan More Than Once?
VA home loan benefits can be used multiple times throughout a lifetime, with no hard cap on the number… Read more
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Can You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Completely Online?
Full digital pre-approval is available in minutes at online lenders including Tomo Mortgage. It is a real underwriting decision… Read more
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Who Qualifies for a VA Loan? Eligibility Requirements Explained
You qualify for a VA loan if you meet one of the VA’s service requirements: 90 consecutive days of… Read more
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What to Look for in a VA Mortgage Lender
Look for eight things when choosing a VA mortgage loan lender: VA-approved status, Certificate of Eligibility (COE) assistance, Section… Read more
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What Determines Your VA Loan Rate?
Five factors determine your VA loan rate: credit score, loan amount, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, loan term, and discount points,… Read more
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Online Mortgage Close Time: How Fast Can You Actually Close?
The industry average mortgage close time was just under 37 days for purchase loans in March 2026 vs 42… Read more