Articles by Erik J. Martin - Page 4

Earnest money, down payment, and closing costs all need to be paid by home buyers. Learn when your upfront fees are due and what to expect.

If you love where you live but want to stop renting, you might want to buy the house from your landlord. Here's how to buy a home you rent.

In today's market, it's common for buyers to offer above the asking price on a home. But how much over asking price is too much?

Many buyers are hoping to wait out the current market and buy a house in 2023. Here's how to position yourself to buy a house next year.

A home equity investment could help you tap your home's cash value without refinancing. Learn more about equity sharing agreements here.

Has the U.S. housing market peaked? There are signs a cool-off could be coming. Here's what home buyers should know.

How high will mortgage rates go? See mortgage rate predictions for mid- to late-2022 from eight industry-leading housing experts.

Learn how to refinance a second mortgage, including options to refinance a home equity loan, HELOC, or piggyback loan.

Rising interest rates are tough on home buyers. But there's plenty you can do to fight the market and lower your mortgage rate. Here's how.

Is buying a house a waste of money? That depends who you ask, but many experts will tell you it's a sound investment, even in 2022.

Learn how a debt consolidation refinance works and whether or not it's the right financial choice for you.

Is it worth it to refinance for 1 percent? What about 0.5 percent? Learn when refinancing is worth it — and when it's not.

Learn what it means for a home to be in real estate probate and how to navigate this legal process.

Mortgage amortization is the process of paying down your home loan. Your amortization schedule affects your payments, home equity, and payoff date.

Cash-out refinance rates are a little higher than standard refi rates. But savvy shoppers can still find a great deal.

Some home buyers wonder if they should wait for prices to drop. But experts say that won't happen in 2022. Here's why.

You used to need a 20% or 30% down payment to get a jumbo mortgage. But today, you can find jumbo loans as low as 5% down and no mortgage insurance.

This cash-out refinance guide explains how a cash-out loan works, as well as cash-out refinance requirements and rates.

Want to buy a house in a different state, but aren't sure where to start? These expert tips will help.

Your mortgage FICO score has a big impact on your home loan. Use these ten tips to improve your credit score before you apply.