Once a buyer and seller have agreed on the price for a house, they sign a purchase contract that outlines the terms of the deal and includes a closing date. Setting a specific date is intended to motivate all parties involved in the transaction to work expeditiously...
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Which Mortgage Type Is Right for You?
Most people who want to purchase a house cant afford to pay cash and therefore need to take out a mortgage. The type of loan you choose will depend on your financial circumstances and plans and can have a significant impact on your monthly costs, so its essential to...
What Is Escrow?
After a buyer has agreed to purchase a home from a seller, the escrow process begins. This is designed to make sure that all the necessary conditions and obligations are met so the transaction can proceed smoothly.Purpose of EscrowEscrow is designed to protect all the...
How to Avoid Having to Buy Private Mortgage Insurance
Some mortgage lenders allow homebuyers to put down less than 20 percent of a houses purchase price, but those loans are riskier from a lenders perspective. A lender generally requires a buyer who puts down less than 20 percent to purchase private mortgage insurance...
The Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit
If you need money for an important project, you might be able to finance it by accessing the equity you’ve built up by paying your mortgage. A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) are two options. Before you decide to use either, make sure you...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, college tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds with favorable terms through a second mortgage. Before you do so, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms and potential risks.How Does a Second...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds through a second mortgage.How Does a Second Mortgage Work?A second mortgage is a loan that allows a homeowner to borrow against the value of their house by using it...
4 Non-Traditional Ways to Finance a Home
A 30- or 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage with the same payment amounts each month is one of the most common ways to buy a home"but not everyone can qualify for a traditional mortgage, or has the money set aside for a sizable down payment so they can get a low-interest...
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What to Do If Your Closing Is Delayed
Once a buyer and seller have agreed on the price for a house, they sign a purchase contract that outlines the terms of the deal and includes a closing date. Setting a specific date is intended to motivate all parties involved in the transaction to work expeditiously...
Which Mortgage Type Is Right for You?
Most people who want to purchase a house cant afford to pay cash and therefore need to take out a mortgage. The type of loan you choose will depend on your financial circumstances and plans and can have a significant impact on your monthly costs, so its essential to...
What Is Escrow?
After a buyer has agreed to purchase a home from a seller, the escrow process begins. This is designed to make sure that all the necessary conditions and obligations are met so the transaction can proceed smoothly.Purpose of EscrowEscrow is designed to protect all the...
How to Avoid Having to Buy Private Mortgage Insurance
Some mortgage lenders allow homebuyers to put down less than 20 percent of a houses purchase price, but those loans are riskier from a lenders perspective. A lender generally requires a buyer who puts down less than 20 percent to purchase private mortgage insurance...
The Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit
If you need money for an important project, you might be able to finance it by accessing the equity you’ve built up by paying your mortgage. A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) are two options. Before you decide to use either, make sure you...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, college tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds with favorable terms through a second mortgage. Before you do so, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms and potential risks.How Does a Second...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds through a second mortgage.How Does a Second Mortgage Work?A second mortgage is a loan that allows a homeowner to borrow against the value of their house by using it...
4 Non-Traditional Ways to Finance a Home
A 30- or 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage with the same payment amounts each month is one of the most common ways to buy a home"but not everyone can qualify for a traditional mortgage, or has the money set aside for a sizable down payment so they can get a low-interest...