Featured resources

5-minute read
Solid offers come with a Verified Approval Letter
A Verified Approval Letter shows the seller that your offer should be taken seriously. Learn how a VAL can be an advantage that gets your home offer accepted.
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10-minute read
Earnest money: What is it and how much is enough?
Earnest money protects buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction. Learn how an earnest money deposit works and how it can also make your offer stand ou...
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9-minute read
Alimony and mortgage qualification: How spousal support affects home loans
Discover how alimony and child support influence mortgage qualification. Learn documentation requirements, DTI considerations, and tips to obtain a home loan.
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5-minute read
Title endorsements: What they are and when you need them
A title endorsement is a modification to your title insurance policy that provides additional coverage. Learn more about title insurance endorsements here.
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8-minute read
Why does my mortgage keep going up?
An unexpected change to your mortgage payment can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know why it happened. Find out some possible reasons for the cha...
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4-minute read
Does mortgage preapproval affect your credit score?
Worried that getting preapproved for a mortgage will hurt your credit score? Learn how preapproval impacts your credit, including how much and for how long.
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9-minute read
Energy-efficient mortgage: A guide for borrowers
An energy-efficient mortgage can help you finance home upgrades that may save you money on utilities. Learn how it works and explore loan options and rules.
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9-minute read
Preforeclosure: How it works and what you can do
Preforeclosure is the first legal step toward foreclosure. Learn about how the process works and what options you have for keeping or letting go of your home.
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6-minute read
The mortgage constant explained
The mortgage constant is the amount paid in debt service each year divided by the amount of a loan, expressed as a percent. Learn more about mortgage constants.
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8-minute read
The hidden costs of late mortgage payments
Are you worried about the effects of making a late mortgage payment? Learn more about missing a mortgage payment, including how it affects your credit and more.
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6-minute read
What is the average mortgage payment in North Carolina?
Discover the average mortgage payment in North Carolina, the factors influencing it, and how mortgage payments in the Tarheel State compare nationally.
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5-minute read
What is an escrow waiver? Definition, requirements, and pros and cons
Considering an escrow waiver? Learn what it is, how it works, eligibility criteria, potential fees, and the pros and cons to decide if it’s right for you.
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6-minute read
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC): How it can help you afford your mortgage payments
What is a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)? This federal tax credit can help first-time buyers save money. Learn how MCCs work, who qualifies, and how to apply...
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4-minute read
How to calculate per diem interest
Borrowers can calculate per diem interest using a simple formula. Learn more about what per diem interest is and how it can be calculated on a mortgage loan....
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7-minute read
Escrow refund: What is it and when does it occur?
Learn what an escrow refund is, when it happens, and what to do with it so you can plan ahead and make the most of any surplus in your mortgage account.
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10-minute read
How to get a mortgage when you’re self-employed
Wondering how to get a mortgage when you’re self-employed? Learn what you need to qualify and how to put your best application forward to purchase a home.
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6-minute read
What’s the average mortgage payment in Michigan?
Wondering about the average mortgage payment in Michigan? Explore state-specific trends, interest rates, and what to expect when buying a home in the Great Lake...
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6-minute read
Understanding the right of redemption in real estate
A right of redemption helps homeowners recover their homes if they are at risk of foreclosure. Understand your legal protections as a borrower with our help....
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