Buying Your First Home
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VA vs. conventional loans: which is better?
If you’re eligible for a VA loan, the zero down payment and no PMI combination is hard to beat,… Read more
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What is a VA loan?
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, available to eligible veterans, active-duty… Read more
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Who Qualifies for a VA Loan? Eligibility Requirements Explained
A VA loan is a mortgage loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its primary purpose… Read more
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What does “primary residence” mean when getting a mortgage?
A mortgage for a primary residence is the loan you get for the place you actually call home, not… Read more
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What is debt-to-income ratio (DTI) in a mortgage?
DTI measures how much of your income goes toward debt payments. Lenders use this ratio to assess your financial… Read more
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Why Is My Closing Date Moving? A Guide to Mortgage Delays and What Can Cause Them
You found the house. You survived the inspection. You told everyone your closing date is on the 15th. And… Read more
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What is a mortgage origination fee?
If you are in the process of shopping around for a lender, or just curious about the home buying… Read more
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Why Do You Have to Pay for a Home Appraisal Upfront? (And What It Costs)
Here’s the deal: when you’re buying a home, your lender isn’t just handing you a loan without making sure… Read more
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How to calculate your monthly mortgage payment like a pro
So, you’re ready to dive into the world of homeownership—congrats! Before you start picturing that dream kitchen, though, it’s… Read more
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Conditionally approved? What does it mean?
Getting conditionally approved means the lender has reviewed your loan application and things are looking good, but they still… Read more
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What happens after you submit your mortgage application
Once you submit your application it goes to underwriting. Underwriting is about making sure the details of your loan,… Read more
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Understanding Your Section B Closing Costs at Tomo Mortgage
Quick answer: Section B on your Loan Estimate is a list of required third-party fees (appraisal, credit report, fraud… Read more
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Ripoff Rates: Cost of picking an overpriced lender grows 3.5x since 2018
A lot of people assume that all mortgage lenders offer the same rates. After all, interest rates are set… Read more
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What are mortgage interest rate points?
The term points gets frequently thrown around, but what do points actually mean and should you get them? So what… Read more
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5 expert-backed tips to save on your first (or next) home
Homeownership isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s one of the best ways to build financial security. As… Read more
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How the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) can save homebuyers thousands
You’re shopping for a mortgage and want the best rate possible—but what if there’s a little-known way to save… Read more
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Buying a house that’s for sale by owner (FSBO): gold mine or headache?
Buying a house that’s For Sale By Owner (FSBO) can either be a gold mine or a headache, depending… Read more
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What are the steps to getting a mortgage?
Whether you’re looking at different types of properties or just trying to figure out where to start, here’s the… Read more
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Demystifying mortgage: who are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
Maybe you’ve heard the names Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac tossed around in conversations about homebuying and wondered what… Read more
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How to finance a mobile or manufactured home?
Alright, so you’re considering a mobile or manufactured home—good on you for looking into an affordable path to homeownership.… Read more