Articles by Peter Miller - Page 5

FHA or USDA mortgages, which should you choose? It’s not an easy question and there’s no single answer which is right for everyone. But it’s a question many borrowers should ask. The right answer can mean big mortgage savings.

The latest tax law changes may catch homeowners off guard when filing their 2018 returns. Here is what you need to know about 2018 taxes for homeowners.

At a mortgage closing, you typically pay mortgage costs and escrow

Three percent mortgage rates are a real possibility in 2019, and in fact, already here for some borrowers, according to The Mortgage Reports daily survey. See if you qualify for a rate in the 3s.

Cash to close: Plan on bringing a cashier's check or certified check. or arrange to wire the funds from your bank. You'll need your down payment and closing costs, less earnest money and lender and/or seller credits.

Brexit drama is pushing down US mortgage rates. Should mortgage shoppers act now or wait for rates to drop even lower?

You're not a criminal. You just want to buy a home with a mortgage. But you could accidentally commit mortgage fraud unless you avoid these mistakes.

Mortgage rates and mortgage loan fees usually work in opposite directions. The lower the rate, the higher the fees. Here's how to find your "sweet spot" and get the right balance of fees and interest rates for your situation.

It doesn't take a fortune to get started in real estate investing. Choose an affordable market and employ these strategies to minimize your out-of-pocket expense.

Mortgage reserves to buy a home are funds that you will have after closing. So you can make your payments if your income stops temporarily or you have an unexpected financial emergency.

Before buying your first house, check your finances. And how you currently spend your money and your time. Because being house-poor is no fun, and you don't want to make a decision you regret.

It is difficult to avoid mortgage insurance if you buy a home with less than 20 percent down. But it's possible. There are also many ways to pay less for mortgage insurance, and we're going to show you how.

Seller financing simply means that the owner of the property is willing to finance the purchase.  So a buyer who can't pay cash does not need to get a mortgage from a bank or other lender. But is it a good option for either party?

A single-family home is a vision as well as a bricks-and-mortar reality for millions of home buyers. But now there is some question regarding whether single-family homes will be part of the real estate marketplace in the future.

The shutdown of the US government, and the financial difficulties furloughed workers face highlights the need for emergency savings. How much do you need, and how do you get it? Find out here.

ARM mortgages are suddenly more popular than they have been in years. Rising interest rates, better loan products and big money-savings are making adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) increasingly popular.

Experian promises higher credit scores if only you will give them access to your bank account. Remember, these are the people who had security problems with more than 100 million accounts...

Possible upcoming changes at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could cause higher mortgage rates. Here's what might happen, and what you can do about it. .

Recent research shows that house flipping activity slowed to a 6.5 year low. That's good news for today's buyers, who have been shut out by low inventories and competition from investors. 

Recent changes to credit scoring mean mean higher scores for millions of borrowers.