Tag Archives: Home Taxes & Financing

Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure

A Loan Estimate (LE)  is a form that lists basic information about the terms of a mortgage loan for which you’ve applied. The idea behind the Loan Estimate (like the Good Faith Estimate before it) is to get critical information about the loan into the hands of the borrower as early as possible so that you as […]


What is a Good Faith Estimate (GFE)

A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a form that lists basic information about the terms of a mortgage loan for which you’ve applied. The GFE includes the estimated costs you’ll have to pay for the home loan. The Good Faith Estimate provides you with basic information about the loan including the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), […]


New Mortgage Product Could Change Lending

Two major banks are hoping to overhaul the 15-year mortgage, making it more accessible to low and moderate-income people. The banks suggest these changes will help borrowers build equity at a much faster pace than they would with a standard loan. In addition, the creators of the Wealth Building Home Loan, which allows home buyers to build equity at […]


Lenders Revive ‘Lock and Shop’ Programs

As mortgage rates have start what was certain to be their inevitable ascent, some lenders are bringing back ‘lock and shop’ programs to assist borrowers in purchasing a home. With ‘lock and shop’ programs lenders will credit approve a homebuyer and then lock in their interest rate BEFORE they find the property they want to buy. As with standard […]


Lenders Revive 'Lock and Shop' Programs

As mortgage rates have start what was certain to be their inevitable ascent, some lenders are bringing back ‘lock and shop’ programs to assist borrowers in purchasing a home. With ‘lock and shop’ programs lenders will credit approve a homebuyer and then lock in their interest rate BEFORE they find the property they want to buy. As with standard […]




Deducting Private Mortgage Insurance

Home owners who are eligible to deduct private mortgage insurance, or PMI, premiums can shave hundreds of dollars off their income tax bills. If you put down less than 20% on a home, expect to be required to purchase private mortgage insurance, which protects the lender in the event you default on your home loan. That’s […]