Featured resources

Suburban blue home exterior, displaying a residential property in a suburban setting.

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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A red brick home front with teal colored door and plant vines.

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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Smiling mother giving daughter a piggy back ride in yard of new home.

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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Title endorsement, potentially discussing the process of adding endorsements to a property title.

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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A young family at a kitchen table, possibly discussing household matters or finances.

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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A man with a credit card, potentially symbolizing financial transactions or purchases related to homeownership.

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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Line of solar panels on a red shingle roof.

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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A frustrated young couple, expressing frustration or stress.

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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A suburban home with green and well cared garden.

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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Row of upscale condos, showcasing modern residential buildings or properties.

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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View of downtown Charlotte skyline from water.

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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A couple looking at a computer in a kitchen setting.

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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A house ownership certificate.

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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Woman reviewing financial graphs on laptop at kitchen table.

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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Couple looking at open laptop standing up in loft with housepants and exposed brick wall.

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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A woman working on a computer, possibly related to remote work, finances, or digital activities.

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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Two story brick home on wooded lot.

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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An image showing a woman engrossed in her thoughts possibly related to some real estate investment or work.

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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