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Depending on your annual income, you may qualify for a mortgage interest credit. In order to receive this credit, you will need a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC). The IRS will require the MCC in order to grant the interest credit so be sure to speak with a Loan Officer to find out if you qualify. […]

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies can share lists that contain the information of people who had recent credit inquiries, such as with mortgage applications. Companies, and sometimes individuals, purchase those lists with the intention of soliciting and selling additional credit and loan services, known as “Firm Offers”, to the unsuspecting […]

As a homebuyer, your mortgage is specific to your situation and lifestyle. There are many different factors to consider when thinking about which home loan option is best for you. While one buyer may be comfortable paying a 20% down payment, another buyer may need down payment assistance. How long you plan on living in […]

Buying a home may seem a bit complicated, and sometimes it can be. It is important to understand what to expect when preparing to buy a home, and what to expect during the home buying process. Below we’ve provided a short outline of the five main milestones of the home buying process. Pre-Qualification You’re ready […]

A pending sale means the seller has accepted an offer but the deal hasn’t closed yet. A property is placed in pending status when the contract is executed; when the contract is executed, in other words, the property is no longer defined as an active listing. A home will remain pending until all legal work […]

Homebuyer education, also called housing or pre-purchase counseling, helps homebuyers prepare for the process of purchasing a home and the challenges of being a new homeowner. Some loan programs, like the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP), require homebuyer education courses. Recently, the Maryland Mortgage Program has made updates to their homebuyer education requirements to simplify and […]

You have found a few properties online that you love and notice they are having open houses soon, great news! The pictures certainly make the house look perfect, but seeing the house in-person will give you an opportunity to see its true appearance. When attending an open house, it is important to look past the […]

Sometimes you find a great house, but it needs a little bit of TLC. That is where a renovation loan comes in to the picture. A renovation loan, or 203(k), makes the process easier by allowing you to combine your renovation costs into your mortgage, helping you fund your home improvements. That means one loan […]

Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) offers a variety of affordable home mortgages to Virginians who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing.  Add available special features, such as the Down Payment Assistance Grant and Mortgage Credit Certificate with a VHDA Loan Combo and increase money-saving benefits. What does the VHDA Loan Combo consist […]

For most, it is the American Dream to own a home.  It has always been an important milestone of adulthood.  But as a first-time home buyer, how do you know it is the right thing to do?  Besides the obvious benefits of owning a home, here are additional advantages of owning rather than renting. Tax Benefits […]

What is mortgage insurance? Mortgage insurance protects the lender in the event the borrower defaults on the loan. Defaults include failure to make payments because of death, medical bills and job loss. Mortgage insurance can be provided by a private mortgage insurance company (PMI) or by a government agency such as FHA or VA. How […]

Buying a home will probably be the largest purchase you ever make.  With that in mind, you want the lowest interest rate, right?  WRONG!  The lowest advertised interest rate may not be your best option.  Some lenders and mortgage brokers advertise low rates, but don’t inform you of all the additional points and fees that […]