Difference Between Discount Points and Lender Credits (Loan Origination Fees)
Homeowners should know many key mortgage terms, and two of the most important terms relate to lowering your home loan interest rate: discount points (also known as, mortgage points or prepaid... more
The Mortgage Underwriting Process: Everything You Need to Know
In order to get a mortgage loan, you’ll have to go through a lender’s mortgage underwriting process – including for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out... more
Your mortgage loan got denied in the underwriting process? We’ve got answers.
If you’re getting a mortgage loan, you’ll need to go through a lender’s mortgage underwriting process It’s the step in which your lender reviews your loan application to determine if your... more
How to Lower Your Debt-to-Income Ratio: Proven Strategies Homeowners Use to Improve Their DTI
As a homeowner, one of the most important numbers to keep an eye on is your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio This ratio is a comparison of the amount of debt payments you owe each month to the amount of... more
What Happens When a Mortgage Goes to Underwriting?
When a mortgage loan goes into underwriting, your credit and financial background are reviewed to determine whether your application can be approved This can include an assessment of your credit... more
Save Money by Trying to Lower Your Property Taxes
Owning a home comes with many expenses, and one significant cost is property taxes But did you know that there are ways to potentially lower your property tax bill and save money By understanding how... more
Using Your Home Equity To Fund Your Retirement: Smart Move or Risky Business
Do you want more money for retirement Many homeowners consider using their home equity to fund their retirement to ensure they have enough money to enjoy their golden years However, before moving... more
Understanding Homeowner Debt: Save Thousands by Moving from Bad Debt to Good Debt
Debt is a reality for most homeowners, but not all debt is created equal Understanding the distinction between “good” and “bad” debt can help you optimize your finances and... more
We thought you might ask…why are we building House Numbers?
We created House Numbers to help homeowners gain more financial independence It’s something both personal and meaningful to tens of millions of Americans What that looks like for you will be... more
Refinancing Isn’t Just for Your Primary Mortgage
Refinancing your mortgage can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your finances and achieving your goals Many homeowners are familiar with refinancing their initial purchase mortgage, but did... more
What Documents Do I Need When Applying For A Mortgage
One of the most common questions a loan officer receives from a homeowner is, “What documents do I need when applying for a mortgage” It’s a great question, and the answer will vary somewhat... more
Debunking Solar Panel Myths, Exploring Solar Advancements
Harnessing the power of the sun has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners who are eager to save on their electricity bills while contributing to a sustainable future With recent... more
Maximizing Your Property: How to Make Money with Your Home
Are you looking for ways to maximize your property and earn some extra income If so, you’ve come to the right place! From renting out a room to storing someone’s vehicle, there are plenty of ways... more
Can I Access My Home Equity with Bad Credit Scores?
Do you need to access your home equity, but you’re worried that your low credit score will prevent you from getting approved You’re in luck! Today having less-than-perfect credit scores is more... more
Home Equity 101: Understanding the Basics and Benefits of Home Equity
Home equity build-up is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial aspects of home ownership In fact, The Federal Reserve reported in a recent study that homeowners accumulate 40 times more wealth than... more
How Much Money Can You Access From Your Home Equity
As a homeowner, you enjoy many benefits that renters don’t One of the biggest is the ability to tap into your home equity, turning it into cash you can use right away What can you do with the cash... more
Consolidating Unsecured Debt With Your Home Equity: A Wise Decision
Every year thousands of homeowners consider consolidating unsecured debt using their home equity But is this a wise decision In this article, I will cover when you should consider consolidating... more
When A Higher Mortgage Rate Might Make Sense
When mortgage rates increase, the last thing homeowners want to do is consider applying for a new mortgage But that could be a mistake, especially if you have equity in your home and are looking to... more
How to Use Your Home Equity To Buy Another House (Investment or Second Home)
Do you have plans or dreams to purchase another house — whether investment property or a second home — and looking for creative ways to finance the purchase This is a very common question among... more
Three C’s of Underwriting And How They Impact Your Mortgage Application
Capacity, Credit, and Collateral are the three C’s of underwriting Since they can significantly impact your mortgage application, you should take the time to understand how they are used in the... more
Home Equity Agreements — what are they and why should you care?
Equity sharing agreements — also known as home equity investments (HEI) — are a relatively new and often misunderstood way to get cash from your home equity Below I will explain what they are,... more
5 Ways to Access Your Home Equity
If you’re a homeowner looking to access your home equity for cash, you’ve got a few options to choose from You can pick a HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance, reverse mortgage, or home... more
When it’s smart to access your home equity with rising interest rates
Just like your doctor shouldn’t recommend that everyone smoke cigarettes, an expert in home wealth management should not recommend that everyone refinance their mortgage This is especially true... more
Read These 4 Simple Investment Strategies Before You Invest That Extra Cash
As a homeowner, how do you decide what to do with extra cash to improve your financial situation I ask people about this all the time, and few are confident in their answer Often, they settled on a... more
LTV, DTI, IR, FICO: Four Pillars of Home Financial Wellness
Homeowners often ask, what else is important for my home financial wellness This may come up when accessing home equity, planning for retirement, understanding the right time to refinance, or... more
5 Common Mistakes We Heard From Homeowners Who Pay Off Their Mortgage Early
Ever wondered why people who earn millions and can afford to pay cash for their home would still have a mortgage The short of it is because they will be millions of dollars richer after 30... more
Why Savvy Homeowners Track Home Equity Not Home Value
What’s my home worth Whether you’re checking out recent home sales in your neighborhood or snooping a neighbor’s home value on Google, this is what we all tend to focus on It’s the biggest... more
How to Access Your Home Equity Without a Great Credit Score
Accessing home equity is a hot topic among homeowners we work with — whether for retirement, home improvement, to consolidate debt, make an investment, or pay an unexpected expense Homeowners with... more
6 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Accessing Their Home Equity
Many of us who have owned a home for at least a couple years are sitting on a lot of home equity because of the run-up in home prices over the past decade (even if we also feel poorer day-to-day,... more
The Truth About Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
Does the quote above sound like something you may have said I hear some version of this all the time from homeowners that I speak with On the one hand, the run-up in home prices since 2012 has left... more
Why Wealthy People Have Mortgages
Why would someone who makes millions of dollars per year, and could easily pay for their house in cash, still have a mortgage Said another way, why do rich people feel so strongly about taking on... more
Debunk a common myth of PMI
In this blog, I want to debunk a common myth that we often hear from homeowners: you have to wait 5 or 10 years before you can stop paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) Not true! I confess: my... more
9 Ways to Save Money on Homeownership in an Uncertain Economy
There’s a lot of anxiety brewing about the economy right now It’s understandable — inflation is high, interest rates increased quickly, companies have announced layoffs or hiring freezes... more
