Category: Mortgage Basics
You Hire a Loan Officer, Not a Logo: 4 Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Lender
Why We’re Talking About This: The CrossCountry Story Industry news recently reported that CrossCountry Mortgage, one of the largest lenders in the country, sent…
UPDATED NOV 2026 COMPARISONWho Should Be Buying a Home in Texas Right Now?
Texas is still a buyer’s market, and that makes right now a real opportunity for the right buyers. We aren’t back where we want…
PUBLISHED OCT 2026 ANALYSISA New Private Listing Site – Benefits and Potential Fallout
Four of the largest real estate companies in the country announced Open Real Estate, a shared listing platform that any brokerage can join for free.…
PUBLISHED OCT 2026 EXPLAINERA Guide to Pre Qualify Yourself
If you are just starting out on your home buying journey, one of the first questions you should get answered is, Am I even…
UPDATED OCT 2026 ANALYSISPre-Election Home Buying Game Plan: A How-To for Buyers and Realtors
Buyers can lock in today’s purchase price and still keep a shot at a lower rate if rates fall after Election Day on November…
PUBLISHED OCT 2026 EXPLAINERThis 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…
UPDATED OCT 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…
UPDATED OCT 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…
UPDATED OCT 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…
UPDATED OCT 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