What You Need to Apply for a Home Loan

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer in Texas, or are an empty nester ready to downsize, you’ll need to complete a lot of steps before you consider talking with a lender. There are many things you’ll need to do to get ready to buy a home. It can be overwhelming. It might sometimes feel like […]

How to Survive Buying a House¶

Preparation¶ You’ll probably start entertaining the idea of looking for a home years before you’re totally financially prepared. It can be daunting, but it will give you a better idea of what you want, like a master suite, basement, or garage apartment. Using our online mortgage calculators, you’ll also be able to get a rough […]

Buying a House Without a Spouse

Getting married has several financial consequences; it can raise or lower your taxes. It can alter the types of retirement accounts you’re eligible for. It can affect your insurance rates. And yes, being married can also impact a mortgage. While there are many things to take into consideration when you purchase a home, you may […]

Qualifying as a First-Time Home Buyer in Texas

Did you know that the definition of a first-time buyer isn’t restricted to people purchasing their first property ever? According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it also includes the following: A person who has not owned a residence for at least 3 years. A single parent who previously co-owned a home while […]

The Difference Between APR and Mortgage Interest Rate

Considering taking on a mortgage can be confusing and overwhelming. There’s an endless amount of information and advice and weeding through it can be a monumental task. When you get a mortgage, you are charged two different rates—the annual percentage rate and the interest rate. Understanding the difference between the two rates is important and […]

How Home Loans Work in Texas

If you’ve thought about buying a house in the Lone Star State, you’re not alone. It’s a great place to live! You might wonder how to get a mortgage in Texas, so we’ve put together a list of what you should know about Texas home loans. TDHCA (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) Texas […]

How FHA Loans Work

FHA loans are a great option for first time home buyers — if this is your first home purchase, a Texas FHA home loan is probably your best option with its low down payment and easier credit standards. Your down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price and closing costs and […]

Ins and Outs of a VA Loan

What are VA Loans? A VA Loan is a segment of the GI Bill was that signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide veterans with a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. It’s one of the ways we thank our veterans for their service. The VA guarantees a maximum of […]

5 Things Mortgage Lenders Look For

Buying a home isn’t easy; after all, you have to convince a mortgage banker that you’re capable of accepting a loan. When lenders review your application, they try to determine your ability to pay off your loan. Keep in mind that they are taking a chance on you—and they need to minimize risk as much […]

Downsizing for Empty Nesters and Retirees

It sounds so satisfying, in a way, the prospect of working your whole life and then retiring—it’s a goal most of us have, to reach for a reward for decades of toil. With no deadlines to meet, no schedules to keep, no one to answer to, retirement means time to travel, engage in hobbies there […]