Mortgage News, Tips and Resources

Government-backed loans offered through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Veterans Affairs (VA) can assist qualified borrowers with home purchases, and improvement and rehab projects.

Yes, renovation costs can be added to specific rehab loans offered through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and more for borrowers meeting specific criteria regarding down payment amounts, project scopes, credit scores, and more.

More and more consumers are moving and relocating each year for various reasons, such as employment, relationship and lifestyle changes; financial challenges; additional space; and other life-altering factors.

Borrowers seeking home ownership with a limited budget and income can find relief through a USDA Rural Development Loan boasting lenient qualifications, such as no down payment requirements, credit score flexibility, and lower closing costs.

Record-low housing inventories and more prospective buyers than sellers have led to competitive bidding wars characterized by little to no contingencies, “as is” contracts, higher opening bids and down payments, and more.

With the cost of living increasing each year, many prospective and current Long Island homeowners are seeking ways to keep expenses down, such as refinancing, tax grievances, veterans benefits, energy audits, and debt consolidation.

With close proximity to New York City, Long Island is a suburban oasis of activities, recreation, cuisine, museums, beaches, and culture for residents and visitors of all ages.

It’s best to have all documentation, financials, commitment letters, and mortgage options prior to making an offer on a property in the current, record-breaking spring home-buying season led by bidding wars, pent-up demand, and decreased inventory.

When crafting a strong offer in a tight real estate market, prospective homebuyers should consider competitive tactics such as minimal contingencies, earnest money, escalation clauses, flexibility, appraisal gap coverage, and more.

When researching and comparing the best mortgages for your needs, there are several options, such as conventional, government-backed, jumbo loans, and more—all of with unique requirements, features, benefits, and cost-saving incentives.

There are various financing options available to help active and retired members of our nation’s military purchase, refinance, or rehab a home. These include: VA loans; Specially Adapted Housing, Special Housing Adaptation, and Temporary Residence Adaptation grants; and the New York State Homes for Veterans Program.

With this year’s winter real estate market again predicted to be one of the best ever, now is the perfect time to sell your home due to low interest rates, added demand, proactive buyers, increased digital marketing tools, and other trends.

If you’re thinking of living in Atlanta, Georgia, important factors to consider include location, school districts, median home prices, access to transportation, local amenities, entertainment, and more. This comprehensive guide outlines all these, along with top-ranked neighborhoods, and more.

To help make sure adults and children have a safe time trick-or-treating, we've compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Contour mortgage is here.

The usually tepid fall homebuying season will continue gaining momentum due to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, more flexible remote work schedules, motivated buyers, additional space needs, and more.

Purchasing a vacation home offers myriad financial and tax benefits, but it’s also important to review important secondary mortgage factors, such as terms and limitations, requirements, qualifications, credit scores, and suitable options.

With low inventory and interest rates, and home sales occurring at a record pace, it’s even more important for potential buyers to understand the home financing process, such as mortgage options, qualifications, down payment percentages, and other elements.

Home equity and mortgage loans can both be used toward home purchases repairs, improvements and other upgrades, but each financing type differs in requirements, benefits, tax deductions, and repayment terms.

Designated for primary, secondary, and multi-unit properties priced $500,000 or more, jumbo loans help qualified home buyers secure funding beyond current Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) maximum conforming loan limits.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans can aid potential borrowers in achieving homeownership through many benefits, such as low down payments, reduced closing costs, lenient credit requirements, and more.