Barbara Ballinger, contributor

Should you use a conventional loan? Learn about conventional mortgage rates and requirements and find out if you qualify for one.

No income verification refinance loans are a thing of the past. But current refi programs and non-QM loans may be able to help you.

Down payment notions from decades past no longer apply. Home buyers have access to new options that are changing the way people finance homes.

An FHA mortgage might be your best route to homeownership. Today, however, FHA loans face competition from other products, and one of them might be a better fit for you.

USDA home loans for rural home buyers are zero-down mortgages with flexible underwriting. Even buyers who have been turned down for other programs might qualify.

A mortgage broker can give you access to a wide array of lending options. Choosing the right broker is the first step to tapping into these benefits.