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Straight answers to the questions borrowers actually ask, reviewed by a licensed loan officer. Pick a topic to jump in.
Buying a home
Down payments, credit scores, closing costs and pre-approval, everything a buyer needs before making an offer.
10 answers ›Investor loans
DSCR math, LLCs, flips, BRRRR and portfolio strategy, the investor playbook.
18 answers ›Self-employed & non-QM
Bank statements, 1099s and P&L loans, qualifying on real cash flow, not tax returns.
9 answers ›Refinancing
When to refinance, cash-out math, HELOCs and getting rid of PMI.
6 answers ›Costs & fees
Origination fees, lender credits, seller concessions, points and Loan Estimates, where the money actually goes.
10 answers ›Credit & qualifying
Scores, DTI, collections and pre-approval, what lenders actually check.
4 answers ›Comparing loans
Side-by-side breakdowns: which structure fits your situation and why.
8 answers ›Special situations
Bankruptcy recovery, foreign buyers, remote closings and other non-standard paths.
6 answers ›Working with us
Finding a loan officer, what brokers cost, and how to check a license.
6 answers ›Local guides
City-specific mortgage notes: taxes, insurance and loan strategy by market.
8 answers ›Buying a home
Down payments, credit scores, closing costs and pre-approval, everything a buyer needs before making an offer.
- How much house can I afford?
- What credit score do I need to buy a house?
- How much do I need for a down payment?
- How much are closing costs?
- What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
- How long does it take to close on a house?
- What is PMI and how do I remove it?
- Should I choose FHA or conventional?
- Can I buy a house with no money down?
- Can I buy a duplex or fourplex with an FHA loan?
Related:
Investor loans
DSCR math, LLCs, flips, BRRRR and portfolio strategy, the investor playbook.
- How is DSCR calculated for a mortgage?
- What DSCR ratio do I need to qualify?
- How much down payment does a DSCR loan need?
- Can an LLC get a mortgage?
- What is the BRRRR method?
- How many investment properties can I finance?
- Can I use rental income to qualify for a mortgage?
- How fast can a fix and flip loan close?
- What is the 70% rule in house flipping?
- What credit score do I need for an investment property loan?
- Should I use a blanket loan or separate DSCR loans for multiple rentals?
- How does the draw process work on a fix-and-flip loan?
- What is the difference between hard money and private money lenders?
- How do investors finance auction properties?
- Can I get a DSCR loan on a mixed-use property?
- How do you finance a 5+ unit multifamily property?
- What is delayed financing after a cash purchase?
- Can foreign nationals get mortgages for US investment properties?
Related:
Self-employed & non-QM
Bank statements, 1099s and P&L loans, qualifying on real cash flow, not tax returns.
- How do I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?
- How is income calculated on a bank statement loan?
- Can I get a mortgage without tax returns?
- How long do I need to be self-employed to get a mortgage?
- Should I get a bank statement loan or a DSCR loan?
- What is the difference between a bank statement loan and a conventional loan?
- What is the difference between asset depletion and bank statement loans?
- What is the difference between a 1099 loan and a profit-and-loss loan?
- Can bonus and RSU income count toward my mortgage?
Related:
Refinancing
When to refinance, cash-out math, HELOCs and getting rid of PMI.
- When should I refinance my mortgage?
- How much equity can I take out of my home?
- Should I do a cash-out refinance or a HELOC?
- What is the difference between FHA streamline and VA IRRRL refinances?
- Should I refinance from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage?
- Can I refinance to remove PMI?
Related:
Costs & fees
Origination fees, lender credits, seller concessions, points and Loan Estimates, where the money actually goes.
- Is there such a thing as a free mortgage?
- What is a no-closing-cost mortgage?
- What are mortgage origination fees?
- What is the difference between lender fees and third-party closing costs?
- Can I roll closing costs into my mortgage?
- What are seller concessions on a mortgage?
- Can you negotiate mortgage lender fees?
- How do I compare Loan Estimates from different lenders?
- Should I buy mortgage points?
- What does conditional loan approval mean?
Related:
Credit & qualifying
Scores, DTI, collections and pre-approval, what lenders actually check.
- Does getting pre-approved for a mortgage hurt my credit score?
- How can I raise my credit score before buying a home?
- Can I get a mortgage with collections on my credit report?
- What is a debt-to-income ratio?
Related:
Comparing loans
Side-by-side breakdowns: which structure fits your situation and why.
- What is the difference between a fix-and-flip loan and hard money?
- What is the difference between jumbo and conventional loan limits?
- Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better?
- Should I choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage?
- How does an interest-only mortgage compare to a regular mortgage?
- DSCR loan vs conventional investment property loan: which is better?
- Construction-to-permanent vs investor construction loan: what is the difference?
- Mortgage broker or bank: which is better?
Related:
Special situations
Bankruptcy recovery, foreign buyers, remote closings and other non-standard paths.
- What is the difference between lender-paid and borrower-paid compensation?
- What does “lender-backed” mean on a mortgage?
- How long after bankruptcy can I get a mortgage?
- Can a non-US citizen get a mortgage?
- Can I close on a mortgage without meeting anyone in person?
- Can you get an interest-free mortgage?
Related:
Working with us
Finding a loan officer, what brokers cost, and how to check a license.
- How do I find a good mortgage loan officer near me?
- Should I use a mortgage broker near me or an online lender?
- What questions should I ask a mortgage broker near me?
- Do mortgage brokers near me cost more than national lenders?
- Can a mortgage broker near me help if my bank denied me?
- How do I verify a mortgage broker near me is licensed?
Related:
Local guides
City-specific mortgage notes: taxes, insurance and loan strategy by market.
- What mortgage options do Miami homebuyers have?
- How do Texas property taxes affect my Dallas mortgage payment?
- What loans work best for investment properties in Atlanta?
- When do Denver buyers need a jumbo mortgage?
- Do I need flood insurance with a mortgage in Houston?
- How do I finance a vacation home near Orlando?
- Are VA loans popular with Tampa homebuyers?
- Can I buy a home in Fort Lauderdale if I live in another state?
Related:
See what you qualify for
It takes about two minutes and does not affect your credit score. A licensed loan officer reviews every request.