Fannie Mae vs. Freddie Mac: Key Differences That Can Affect Mortgage Approval Most borrowers have heard the names Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at some point during the mortgage process. What many people do not realize is that these organizations…
Low Down Payment Conventional Loan Options: What Borrowers Should Know A common belief among homebuyers is that purchasing a home requires a 20 percent down payment. While a larger down payment can certainly provide advantages, it is not a…
Understanding the 25 Percent Rule for Commission Income Commission income is common in many professions. Sales professionals, financial advisors, real estate agents, and many technology employees earn a portion of their compensation through commissions or incentive pay. When applying…
Using Rental Income to Qualify for a New Home Purchase Many homeowners assume that when they purchase a new home, they must sell their current residence first. While that may be the right choice for some situations, it is…
When Installment Debt Can Be Excluded From Debt-to-Income Calculations Many borrowers preparing for a mortgage assume that paying off debt before applying will automatically improve their chances of approval. In some cases that is true. In others, the impact…
Mortgage Reserve Requirements Under Fannie Mae: What Borrowers Should Know When most borrowers think about qualifying for a mortgage, they focus on income, credit scores, and down payment. Another factor that plays an important role in many approvals receives…
Mortgage Job History Requirements: What Fannie Mae Actually Looks For Employment history is one of the first things borrowers think about when applying for a mortgage. A common belief is that a borrower must remain with the same employer…
Buying a home in California is exciting, but most buyers quickly realize that the biggest challenge is often the down payment. Home prices here are higher than the national average, and saving enough money upfront can feel like the biggest…
Did you know it's possible to use two mortgage loans when buying a home in California? It's called a "piggyback" mortgage strategy, and it could help you minimize your down payment while avoiding private mortgage insurance at the same time…
When you're buying a home in California, you often run into loan amounts that exceed what’s called the conforming loan limit. When that happens, you’ll need a jumbo loan. So, what is a jumbo loan in California, and how does…
