Articles by Gina Freeman - Page 11

Can you buy a house while in credit counseling? Yes, and this post tells you how.

Nearly 4 in 5 military home buyers are married. These lending guidelines can help veterans and spouses when applying for a loan.

A 580 score doesn't disqualify you from getting a mortgage. But it does make it more challenging. Strategies to get approved despite "dinged" credit.

A mortgage won't ruin your retirement. In fact, you might come out ahead by not paying off that debt so you can invest elsewhere.

The MCC is a certificate that allows eligible homeowners to claim a tax credit. This credit reduces the amount of income tax they have to pay, which frees up more cash.

Mortgage programs are not just for "plain vanilla" borrowers anymore. Here are loan types that can get "out of the box" home buyers approved.

How much do mortgage lenders make on a home loan? Probably not as much as you think. However, there are ways for you to put less money in lenders' pocket, and keep more in yours.

Flood insurance may be required by your mortgage lender. Even if not required, it might be a good idea.

Having fair credit can cost you significantly more than having good credit. Luckily, it's not hard to move up a level.

When you want to buy a home, but cannot be mortgage-qualified, you can look at the Rent-to-Own program. More on the program, explained in Plain English.

It's not that hard to raise your credit score, and the benefits are huge. Here's how to improve your credit score from poor to fair.

Buying a home? Save on your mortgage rate *and* your closing costs. Assume the seller's mortgage and make it your own. A guide to how assumable loans work.

The lender that works in your real estate agent's office is a convenient choice. But how do you know they will get you the best mortgage value?

How often can I refinance my mortgage? If you want to know how soon you can refinance after closing on a loan, we have your answers.

There are several ways parents can help their adult children achieve homeownership: loans, co-borrowing, and gifts.

Does a HELOC make sense for you? Today’s low rates and costs can make home equity lines of credit a good value, if you shop carefully and choose wisely.

You can lower your interest rate by wrapping high-interest credit cards into a refinance. But it doesn't work for everyone.

Bridge loans can ease the transition when buying and selling a home at the same time. Bridge loan guidelines, plus alternatives.

A common misconception is that mortgage rates are set by the Federal Reserve. That's not true -- rates follow prices for mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

Mortgage interest rates are affected by several factors. Because you control some of them, you can pay less for your home loan.