Debt to Income Ratios: Total DTI and How to Reduce It

Let’s say you’re buying a house and you have calculated your front ratio or the comparison of your proposed housing debt to your usable income. You know your lender allows a 43% total DTI ratio, and your front ratio is an enviable 36%. But your loan officer informs you that your total or “back” DTI… Continue Reading

How to Qualify for Financing an Investment Property

Are you thinking about buying an investment property? Do you already own an investment property and you’re considering refinancing, either to reduce your rate or to take out some cash? Perhaps you already own your own home where you live, and you’ve gone through the underwriting process a few times so you’re familiar with what… Continue Reading

Escrows & Prepaids at Closing — What You Should Know

If you are buying a home or refinancing a mortgage, you should be aware of the two most potentially expensive components of your closing costs: Escrows and Prepaids. What Are Escrows and Prepaids? Escrows are the initial amount you must put aside (i.e., pay) at closing to fund your escrow account with sufficient funds so… Continue Reading

How to Use an Escrow Account for Your Benefit

If you are about to close on a loan, whether you’re buying a home or refinancing a loan you already have, you will probably have an escrow account established at closing. This account is where your monthly payments of taxes and insurance will be deposited so that when taxes and insurance are due, your servicer… Continue Reading

Is a Forbearance Agreement Right for You?

Have you been affected by COVID-19? Not physically – financially. Did you lose your job? Did your company cut back on your hours? Are you a homeowner and you’re finding it increasingly difficult to pay your bills on time? Then you might need a forbearance. What is a forbearance? On March 27, 2020, President Trump made… Continue Reading

Impact of COVID-19 on the Mortgage Industry

By now, we are all aware of the impact of the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” on our lives. Travel is restricted, businesses are closed, many are quarantined, and when we do go out, many of us wear face masks and stay at least six feet from other people. But what has the impact of COVID-19 been… Continue Reading