Read the latest blog posts from our mortgage experts, get the latest updates about the industry, tips and tricks for making your purchasing experience easy, and more!
Ready for your first home? You’ve TikTok’d every #firsthouse post and are ready to make it your reality. Before you start planning your epic housewarming bash, there are a few things you need... »
Read More of the post Mortgage Goals
Mortgage rates are unpredictable. They are determined by a number of economic factors that are hard to pin down and which move the rate up and down from day to day. That’s to... »
Read More of the post London Bridges and Rates: Falling Down?
We’re still in the first quarter of the new year, but I wanted to share some housing data that I think can be useful in housing market predictions in 2023. Mainly, I want... »
Read More of the post Housing Price Thoughts for 2023
With the close of the NFL season, I began thinking about how I could provide something to help the game plan of my customers and the housing professionals they work with. In today’s... »
Read More of the post Seller Concessions Make Today’s Market a Great One for Buyers
OCTOBER 2022
HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SELLING AND BUYING
Can you buy before you sell? There are many ways to bridge the gap between selling your home and buying a new one. We... »
Read More of the post How to Bridge the Gap Between Selling and Buying – The Duvall Group
At Homebridge, our vision is to make the dream of homeownership a reality for every customer, every day. One way we live that vision is by providing greater access to homebuyer education. By... »
Read More of the post The Mission of Changing Homeownership
If you’re in the market to purchase a home and concerned that rising interest rates could price you out of the home you’re looking at, then this article is for you. First, you... »
Read More of the post Why Rate Isn’t Everything
No Crash Zone. A Current Outlook on the Housing Market.
By: Michael Pennington
Are you concerned that the housing market will crash like it did in 2008? That the cost of homes has skyrocketed so... »
Read More of the post Why the Market Won’t Crash
AUGUST 2022
ARE 3D PRINTED HOMES THE ANSWER TO OUR HOUSING ISSUES?
A recent collaboration between Habitat for Humanity and Alquist has created the world’s first owner-occupied 3D printed home. While it might be hard... »
Read More of the post Are 3D Printed Homes The Answer to Our Housing Issues? – The Duvall Group
FHA loans offer a 3.5% down payment requirement as well as lenient Debt-to-Income ratios (DTI) and credit requirements. They are ideal for low-to-moderate income earners, and people buying a home with less-than-perfect credit.
Backed... »
Read More of the post FHA Loans: What Are The Benefits And Features
There are definite benefits to being a freelance worker or independent contractor. You’re able to set your own schedule, and you can spend only a few hours at different jobs to get a... »
Read More of the post Helping 1099 Contract Employees Buy A Home
Why Interest Rates Increase To Combat High Inflation
Inflation rates are at a forty year high and consumers across the country are feeling the impact. From the higher cost of gas to higher prices... »
Read More of the post The Fed Increase: For Better Or Worse?
Current mortgage interest rates are always a hot topic for homebuyers or those who are curious about the affordability of homeownership. Knowing the general market rate can be helpful when budgeting for an... »
Read More of the post What Determines Your Mortgage Interest Rate?
The supply of houses on the market has fallen from an average of 1.6 million units monthly in 2018 and 2019 to just over 1 million in 2021 – and the monthly figures... »
Read More of the post Benefits of Pre-Approval: Get the Upper Hand
Your first time buying a home will be exciting, offering a window into the setting of your future. At Homebridge, we delight in the opportunity to help first-time homebuyers because we are reminded... »
Read More of the post 4 Stops Along the Road to First Time Homebuying
USING GIFT FUNDS TO BUY A HOME
For many homebuyers, gift funds are a needed boost to help them cover the necessary down payment on their dream home. Although it’s common practice to receive... »
Read More of the post USING GIFT FUNDS TO BUY A HOME
JANUARY 2022
New Conforming Loan Limits
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced 2022 conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) loans. Limits increased for single-family homes from $548,250 to... »
Read More of the post New Conforming Loan Limits – The Duvall Group
Becoming a homeowner may be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have. But before you start picking out a living room set, you'll want to take a step back and start... »
Read More of the post 5 Tips For Getting a Home Loan
Making the move from living with others to renting your own home is the first step many of us take in establishing our independence. As time goes on, however, you may begin to... »
Read More of the post 5 Reasons to Buy A Home
Buying your first home is an exciting process. But as one of the most significant purchases you'll ever make, it can also be a little intimidating. To ensure a fun and straightforward experience,... »
Read More of the post 5 Actions to Avoid Before Homebuying
Buying a home can seem overwhelming. As possibly the largest purchase you’ll ever make, you may even convince yourself that homeownership is financially beyond your reach. However, there are several factors you can... »
Read More of the post 5 Factors That Make Buying a Home More Affordable
Today’s world is digital. Financial transactions such as a mortgage are no exception. Many companies offering majority-digital or completely digital transactions have opened within the past 10 years, making it appear as though... »
Read More of the post 4 Major Reasons Why Physical Lenders Are Better Than Digital Ones
In your search for the perfect place, you may have found homes in your market that are a bit out of your price range. Or, you may have found that you don’t have... »
Read More of the post How an FHA Loan Can Help You Secure Your Ideal Home
The current turbulent economic and social environment has changed how many Americans spend their time and money; that’s a fact. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have the home you’ve always wanted. Whether... »
Read More of the post Four Ways to Capitalize on Homebuying During 2020
Moving to a new home can mean grappling with second guesses and big decisions. However, your move can be made much easier if you focus on the three factors critical to the choice... »
Read More of the post Three Factors that Affect the Move to Your Next Home
After a lot of thought, you’ve decided to buy a home. Great decision! Mortgage interest rates are at a record low. This makes it a perfect time to buy a home.
Before you meet... »
Read More of the post How to Prepare for Buying a New Home
Bonds love bad news, uncertainty and fear, which are causing rates to move lower.
This past week, the escalation of the coronavirus fears caused enough anxiety to push rates down to the lowest levels... »
Read More of the post Lowest. Rates. Ever.
Buying your first home is the biggest and arguably the most important purchase you will ever make. Preparing for that transition will require you to look at your finances in a different way.... »
Read More of the post How to Financially Prepare for Homebuying
The down payment is one of the most important elements of the homebuying process. Your down payment could affect your finances for years to come. In this article, we’re going to breakdown the... »
Read More of the post How Does Your Down Payment Affect Homebuying?
After years of rising rent prices and an inability to make your home truly yours, you’ve had enough and are ready to officially break up with your landlord. You’re ready to become a... »
Read More of the post 3 Myths About Transitioning from Renter to Homeowner
For many, buying a home is a major transition in life. It’s one that comes with a long list of benefits like building long-term equity, the freedom to personalize your living space, and... »
Read More of the post Is Buying a Home the Next Step for You? (to Buy or Not to Buy)
Chapman Lending Team at HomeBridge Financial
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it is raising the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to more than $510,000.
In most of the U.S., the 2020 maximum conforming... »
Read More of the post Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac loan limit increases to $510,400
Are you on the hunt for your first home? Rethink what you’ve been told and take a look at these commonly thought of mortgage myths.
MYTH: “My credit score isn’t good enough to buy... »
Read More of the post Mortgage Mythbusting: First-Time Homebuyer Edition
As a self-employed business owner, you have a lot on your plate. While running a business and tending to your daily responsibilities, starting the home process might feel daunting. You may have even... »
Read More of the post How to Qualify for a Mortgage as a Self-Employed Professional
If you’re like most Americans, your home will be a major source of your net worth. As you continue to pay your mortgage, you will build equity in your home, which allows for... »
Read More of the post How to Use and Build Equity in Your Home
As of June 2021, interest rates are still at record lows. This means it’s a great time to buy a home, or in some cases, refinance. Refinancing is not only used to get... »
Read More of the post Is now the right time to refinance my home loan?
You may be in the process of looking for a home or you may have already gotten pre-approved. You’ve been saving for months or even years and your down payment is still short.... »
Read More of the post Should You Use Your 401(k) to Help Purchase a Home?
You’ve decided you want to renovate your home, or maybe you have your eye set on a home that needs a little work. Great! As the biggest renovation lender in the United States,... »
Read More of the post Should I Use a Renovation Loan to Improve, Buy, or Sell My Home?
According to a survey issued by Bank of the West, 69% of millennial homebuyers experienced some form of “buyer’s remorse” over their recent home purchase.
Most said they wished they had been more prepared... »
Read More of the post Advice for New Homebuyers from a Mortgage Industry Veteran
Spring is the peak home buying season for many parts of the country. After years of softer home sale activity — thanks to low housing inventory, affordability issues, and more — this Spring... »
Read More of the post 10 Reasons for Housing to Celebrate
