Category: Mortgage Basics
This Isn’t the 2021 Market: Why Today’s Buyers Have the Advantage
Short answer In 2021, low rates came with brutal competition: over-asking offers, no seller help, and buyers paying their own closing costs. Today the…
PUBLISHED SEP 2026 ANALYSISVantageScore vs. FICO: What the New GSE Policy Means for Your Mortgage
On September 3, 2026, FHFA Director Bill Pulte directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to approve every lender to use VantageScore, ending a limited…
PUBLISHED SEP 2026 EXPLAINERIs It Actually a Good Time to Buy a Home? Here’s Why We Think So, And Why Buyers Are Still Hesitating
If you’ve been house-hunting for a while, you’ve probably noticed something: this is shaping up to be one of the strongest buyer’s markets we’ve…
PUBLISHED SEP 2026 COMPARISONClosing Costs: What to Expect and What to Look For
You’ve done the work to get pre-approved for a loan. You’ve talked with your loan officer, figured out your budget, and decided how much…
PUBLISHED AUG 2026 ANALYSISLow Down Payment Options
How much am I going to need for a down payment? This is one of the first questions that comes to mind for almost…
PUBLISHED AUG 2026 EXPLAINERWhy Mortgage Brokers Are Best
When it comes to getting a mortgage, the business model matters more than most people realize. You can work with a bank, a credit…
PUBLISHED AUG 2026 EXPLAINERThe 3 Types of Mortgage Lending Institutions
When you’re searching for a mortgage, you have three basic types of lending institutions to choose from. Each has its own business model, product…
PUBLISHED AUG 2026