June 9, 2022. Mortgage rates last week dropped for the third week in a row. So the big question on homebuyers’ minds: are we finally catching a break?
It depends on where you are in the homebuying process.
closing costs
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
You did it – you did your research, found a home you love and had your offer accepted! But there are still a number of stops left on your way to closing, including the home inspection. A home inspection can offer enormous insight into the home you plan to purchase, and potentially save you thousands […]
How Do You Shop Around for a Mortgage?
Does shopping for a mortgage get your nerves in a tangle or give you little fizzes of excitement? The reality of shopping for a mortgage is that it will feel different than poking through online listings, driving around suitable neighborhoods or talking through real estate “how-tos” with a real estate agent. Shopping for a mortgage […]
How Much Down Payment to Buy a House?
When you want to buy a home, you may not know all the details involved, including how much of a down payment you need. When it comes to mastering a task, such as learning to ride a bike or learning about investments, someone may have taught you. It’s the same with buying a house, so […]
How Long Does an Appraisal Take?
You might think buying a home involves a lot of waiting. You may wait for pre-approval, the results of the home inspection, underwriting and more. As part of the homebuying process, you may also wait for the results of an appraisal. (Getting the results of a real estate appraisal may take less time than you […]
How to Refinance a Mortgage Step by Step
You may have noticed that mortgage rates have gone down compared to when you bought your home years ago. Or maybe you’d like to change your loan term. Maybe you’d like to switch to a 15-year mortgage from a 30-year mortgage. On the other hand, you may have a 15-year mortgage as your existing mortgage […]
Home Equity Loan: Everything You Need to Know
When you’re first getting a mortgage, you might not think ahead to getting a home equity loan, though some homebuyer’s guides may cover them. However, as your life evolves, you may find you need to borrow from the equity you have in your home. Your home can offer more than just a place to live […]
What is an FHA Loan? Everything You Need to Know
As you read through our homebuyer’s guide, you may wonder which home loans could work best for you. A conventional loan, the most common type of non-government backed loan, requires you to have a minimum credit score of 620. Your credit score is a three-digit number that comes from your credit reports and creditors (such […]
How to Calculate Your Mortgage Payment
When shopping for your mortgage or refinancing your mortgage, one of your top-of-mind questions probably sounds a lot like: “What will my monthly mortgage payment be, and how will it fit into my budget?” Your loan amount, principal, interest, term and more play into your monthly payment amount. You will want to feel comfortable making […]
What is Escrow and Why Do You Need It?
When you first go through the home buying process, you may have lots of questions about down payments, closing your mortgage and interest rates. You may wonder about the key steps to get a mortgage. You will need to learn about a concept called escrow as well. Many buyers and sellers don’t spend too much […]
How Much House Can I Afford?
When buying a home, one of your first thoughts probably turns to the following question: “How much house can I afford?” You may wonder how large of a house you should and can purchase (especially when buying your first home). It’s one of the most important questions you can ask, because you want to feel […]
6 Annoying But True Reasons Closing Dates Move
We recently launched the Closing Date Promise, our commitment to making sure Morty customers’ closings happen on time. The below explains why closings can be such a pain and what to watch out for. A closing date is the date agreed upon by the home seller, home buyer, and all of the other relevant participants […]
Closing Costs, Explained
Fees and expenses associated with finalizing a real estate transaction are called closing costs. Many first-time homebuyers are surprised to find out that closing costs are a thing at all. Then, they’re doubly-surprised to learn just how much of their home buying budget is going to go towards closing costs. It’s not unusual for closing […]