What Is PMI? Private Mortgage Insurance Defined And Explained

Mortgage Basics - 9-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 12, 2024

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be a tricky subject, so we broke down what PMI insurance is, how much it costs and whether it’s the right option for you.

Read More

Is Home Insurance Tax Deductible?

Mortgage Basics - 6-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 12, 2024

Homeowners can’t deduct homeowners insurance from income taxes, unless it’s a rental property. Learn more about which homeownership expenses are tax deductible.

Read More

What Is PITI? Its Meaning And What It Stands For

Mortgage Basics - 8-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 12, 2024

PITI stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Learn how each component of PITI affects your mortgage payment, and how to calculate each factor.

Read More

What Is A 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

Loan Types - 8-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 12, 2024

Are you considering a 15-year fixed mortgage? Learn about how 15-year fixed-rate mortgages work and whether this type of loan is right for your situation.

Read More

Disaster Preparedness Plan And Checklist

Refinancing - 6-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 12, 2024

A natural disaster can destroy years of hard work in seconds. Prepare for the unexpected with an emergency plan for home to help minimize destruction.

Read More

Deed Of Trust: A Definition

Mortgage Basics - 4-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

A deed of trust is an agreement between home buyers and lenders at the closing of a property. Learn about deeds of trust and how they differ from a mortgage.

Read More

Co-Signing A Mortgage Loan: What Both Parties Need To Know

Home Buying - 9-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

Getting a co-signer can help make homeownership possible and can be a great option, but there are some risks to the co-signer. Here’s what you need to know.

Read More

Proof Of Funds: What Is A POF Letter In Real Estate?

Home Buying - 8-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

Proof of funds (POF) is a document that shows how much money a person or entity has available. Learn more about POF letters when getting a mortgage.

Read More

Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure: What Is It And Is It Right For You?

Refinancing - 7-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

If you’re staring down the possibility of foreclosure, you might have options. Learn what a deed in lieu of foreclosure is and whether it’s right for you.

Read More

Do You Need An Appraisal When Refinancing?

Refinancing - 5-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

Appraisals are almost always required to refinance your mortgage, but a no-appraisal refinance isn’t completely off the table. Find out more here.

Read More

Down Payment: What Is It And How Does It Work?

Home Buying - 6-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 11, 2024

A down payment is the percentage of a home's purchase price you pay out of pocket. Learn how down payments work and how much you should put down on a house.

Read More

What Are Carrying Costs In Real Estate?

Home Buying - 5-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 09, 2024

Carrying costs in real estate are ongoing expenses property owners must budget for. Learn more about which carrying costs to expect and how much they are.

Read More

CEMA Loans: Everything You Need To Know

Loan Types - 4-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 09, 2024

Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreements (CEMA loans) can help New Yorkers save money when refinancing. Get the facts with our CEMA breakdown.

Read More

How Economic Occupancy Can Help You Maximize Rental Income

Mortgage Basics - 4-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 09, 2024

Economic occupancy helps real estate investors understand whether their property’s earnings match its full income potential. Learn more about this key metric.

Read More

Closing Disclosure: What It Is And How To Read The Form

Mortgage Basics - 12-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 09, 2024

Your Closing Disclosure is an important mortgage document, but it can be difficult to interpret. We broke down the essential components in this complete guide.

Read More

How To Get Your House Ready To Sell

Home Buying - 9-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 09, 2024

Getting ready to put your home on the market? There are a few steps you can take to bring in the best offers.

Read More

A Guide To Contemporary Houses And How To Recreate This Design Style

Home Buying - 5-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 08, 2024

Contemporary houses incorporate design elements that are popular at the time when they’re built. Use our guide to learn more about this architectural style.

Read More

Rent-To-Own Condos: What They Are And How They Work

5-minute read

Victoria Araj - March 08, 2024

Rent-to-own programs can help you achieve your homeownership goals over time. Learn about condo rent-to-own programs, how they work, and their pros and cons.

Read More