This guide will help first-time home buyers and seasoned veterans get the information they need to make the correct financial decision regarding their mortgage. Our goal is to provide information and resources for everything you need to know about the mortgage process. Whether you are shopping for your first home or you are already established in a existing home, this page can be your guide. Take the necessary steps to make purchasing your first home or maintaining your existing home a seamless process.
Get Prepared And Be Informed Before Shopping For a Home
What Can You Afford?
Before doing anything else, you must determine your financial situation. Finding a mortgage rate that works for you will depend on a number of factors: income, monthly expenses, credit rating, and the down payment and interest rate for the home.
- Calculate Monthly Expenses
- Improve Credit Rating
- How Much Home Can I Afford?
Knowing Your Home-Buyers’ Rights
Stay informed about what you should know as a potential home-buyer.
- Fair Housing Laws
- Don’t Be a Victim of Loan Fraud
- Mortgage Borrowers’ Rights
Finding A Loan
Be sure to shop around! There are many options as to what kind of loan you can apply for and what lenders to consider. Explore all of your options!
- Types of Loans
- Top 10 Lenders for First-Time Home-Buyers
- How to Find Low Mortgage Rates
- 5 Tips for Great Mortgage Rates
- Mortgage Basics You Should Know
- Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages
- Loan Calculators
Discover Home Buying Programs
There are many programs available with incentives and assistance for home buying. All you have to do is look and see if you qualify!
- State Programs
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans
- Good Neighbor Next Door Program
- Public Housing Home Ownership Programs
Finding a Home That Meets Your Budget
Now that you have done all the background research, you can search for a home within your budget.
- Home Wishlist
- Home-Shopping Checklist
- How Buying a House Works
- HUD Homes for Sale
Making an Offer
This can definitely be a nerve-racking process, but do your research so you prepare an offer they cannot refuse!
- Making an Offer to Buy a Home
Getting a Home Inspection
This is a step sometimes overlooked, but is absolutely necessary in the home-buying process. Be an informed buyer!
- Protect Yourself with a Home Inspection
- 10 Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
Shopping for Homeowners’ Insurance
Make sure your house is covered! These links will provide pertinent information for choosing an insurance company and how to save money in the long-run.
- Homeowner and Renter’s Insurance
- 12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Costs
The Closing Process
Estimates for closing costs are not always accurate, but HUD protects home-buyers during this process.
- About Good Faith Estimates and Closing Costs
- RESPA- Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
- National Mortgage Settlement
Mortgage Help for Existing Mortgages
From time to time, you need to reevaluate your financial situation. With life transitions, your home situation may need to transition as well. Here are many resources available to help you make the best decisions about how to deal with these changes.
Mortgage Refinancing
This can be a tough decision. Read through resources to decide whether this is the best option for you and what situation is most suitable to your needs.
- Do I Need to Refinance?
- Is Mortgage Refinancing Safe or Dangerous?
- How to Find the Best Refinance Mortgage Rates
- Home Affordable Refinance Program
Foreclosures: Preventing and Dealing With Foreclosures
Take action to avoid foreclosure, but if it comes to this, move forward positively with helpful resources.
- Avoiding Foreclosure
- Foreclosure Process
- Foreclosure Resources
Dealing with Situation Change: (Marriage, Divorce, Death, Retirement, Disability)
Many life transitions can affect not only you but others in your life. Prepare for and manage these changes with insightful articles.
- Joint Home Purchase
- Avoid Refinancing Costs After Divorce
- House Mortgage Debt and Death
- Should You Retire with a Mortgage?
- Housing Rights for Disabled Persons
Mortgages for Second Homes
Thinking about a second home? Evaluate your debt and credit first- second home loans are typically much more stringent!
- Financing a Vacation Home
- 5 Things to Know About Buying a Vacation Home
- Buying a Vacation Home: Basics and Process
Reverse Mortgages
Are you nearing retirement? This may be an option to look into.
- What You Need to Know About Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates
- How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work?
- Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
- Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Counseling
Underwater Mortgages
Do you owe more than your home is worth? Look here for information on how to proceed.
- 2 Refinancing Options if You’re Underwater
- 6 Strategies for Dealing with an Underwater Mortgage
- 7 Secrets to Refinancing an Underwater Mortgage
Mortgage Payment Assistance
Having trouble keeping up with your payments? Don’t worry, there are multiple options for assistance!
- When Paying the Mortgage is a Struggle
- Making Home Affordable Program
- Housing Counseling
- Mortgage and Loan Assistance for U.S. Service Members
