When you create an offer on a house, the Seller is going to ask you to prove that your mortgage will close on time. All you need is a pre-qualification, right? Nope. You need a pre-approval. A pre-underwritten mortgage is even better! What’s the difference? A...
Financing
How Do I Get a Pre-Approval?
Getting a pre-approval will help a buyer get their offer accepted. It’s simple; the seller wants to know that the buyer’s mortgage will close on time. That means a house hunter needs to have their pre-approval in hand when they begin house hunting. Murphy’s Law...
What’s a Pre-Approval?
A pre-approval is a letter from a lender. It states that the lender will give this borrower a mortgage for up to the amount on the letter. A pre-approval states that earnings and debt and credit history have been reviewed and approved. A pre-approval benefits both...
Simplifying Real Estate Liens For Homebuyers
Acquiring the home of your dreams is an exhilarating experience, but this joy can turn into dismay when the specter of foreclosure looms six years later due to seemingly minor oversights, such as unpaid taxes. A homeowner in D.C. found themselves ensnared in this...
Navigating the Complexity of Title Insurance
In the intricate world of home buying, even the most diligent researchers can find themselves navigating a maze of information. The intricacies of the home buying process, combined with the competitiveness of today's market, often prompt buyers to rush through certain...
The Role of Title Agents and Title Insurance in Real Estate Transactions
Buying a home is an exciting process that requires a lot of knowledge from all parties involved, especially homeowners. The intricate process of a real estate transaction is cumbersome – a complex one that often leaves participants bewildered yet driven by the...
Getting a Home Equity Loan: A Complete Guide
In the realm of personal finance, exploring viable options for leveraging one's home equity can be a game-changer. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offers homeowners the opportunity to tap into the value of their property and secure a flexible line of credit. This...
Building Generational Wealth through Real Estate: Your Path to Financial Freedom
Real estate has long been seen as a way to build generational wealth, and in today's rapidly changing economic landscape, the pursuit of financial security has become more important than ever. Real estate offers numerous advantages that can help individuals and...
Illinois First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Loans
Regardless of real estate market conditions, first-time home buyers need to know what loan programs and grants are available to help as they begin the home buying process. If you do your homework, there are many programs and grants available to first time homebuyers...
Credit Scores
If you are thinking of buying a house or condo, your credit score matters. A low score can: Cause you to be unable to get a conventional mortgage. Drive up the price of your mortgage, because you are a higher-risk borrower. Sudden changes in your credit score, after...
What is Home Equity and Why Does it Matter?
You'll often hear that homeownership builds wealth. Usually what people mean by that is owning a home builds equity. Equity is a term that refers to how much of your home you actually own. Anyone who takes out a mortgage will need to make a down payment. How much of a...
The Full Guide to Different Mortgage Types
Buying a home is a big moment and one of the most important aspects of that moment is deciding what type of mortgage program to go with. If this is your first home purchase, then deciding on a mortgage can be pretty intimidating. That doesn't have to be the case...