Premium
Opening Credits
1/18/2025
Introduction
1/18/2025
Chapter 1 Qualifying Criteria: Putting All the Puzzle Pieces Together
1/18/2025
Understanding Your Credit Score (and why it’s the very first thing we’ll talk about)
1/18/2025
The Components of a FICO Score
1/18/2025
How Credit Affects Your Mortgage
1/18/2025
Managing Credit for Mortgage Success
1/18/2025
Debt-to-Income Ratio: Knowing Your Limits
1/18/2025
What Is a Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)?
1/18/2025
What Are Acceptable DTI Limits?
1/18/2025
Why the DTI Matters — To You and the Lender
1/18/2025
Types of Income That Count
1/18/2025
Assets: What Lenders Look for and Why
1/18/2025
What Are Assets in Mortgage Lending?
1/18/2025
What Documentation Will the Lender Request?
1/18/2025
What Are They Looking For?
1/18/2025
Using Gift Funds Toward a Home Purchase
1/18/2025
Equity as an Asset in Refinancing
1/18/2025
Chapter 2 Exploring Loan Programs: Finding the Right Fit for You
1/18/2025
Conventional Loans
1/18/2025
Government Loans
1/18/2025
FHA (Federal Housing Administration)
1/18/2025
VA Loans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
1/18/2025
USDA Loans: Rural Homeownership Made Accessible
1/18/2025
First Time Home Buyer Programs: Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Programs
1/18/2025
Qualifying Criteria
1/18/2025
What are the benefits of being a first-time buyer?
1/18/2025
Basic steps for first-time buyers
1/18/2025
Experts From the Field
1/18/2025
DSCR Loans: For Real Estate Investors
1/18/2025
Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Mortgages
1/18/2025
What Is a Qualified Mortgage (QM)?
1/18/2025
What Is a Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM)?
1/18/2025
Jumbo Loans: Going Big and Beyond
1/18/2025
How Do Jumbo Rates Compare?
1/18/2025
Underwriting Guidelines: What Changes Between Loan Types?
1/18/2025
Chapter 3 New Construction Loans
1/18/2025
Building From the Ground Up
1/18/2025
What’s in the Details: Escrows, Holdbacks, and Disbursements
1/18/2025
Timelines, Estimates, and Expectations
1/18/2025
Other Construction Options
1/18/2025
Spec Homes: A Ready-Made New Construction
1/18/2025
Tract Homes: What You Need to Know
1/18/2025
Pros & Cons: Build New or Buy Existing?
1/18/2025
Chapter 4 Working with the Right Realtor
1/18/2025
Ask for Trusted Recommendations
1/18/2025
Why a Connected Team Matters
1/18/2025
Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Availability Matters
1/18/2025
Making Sense of the New Real Estate Commission Rules
1/18/2025
What Changed?
1/18/2025
Which Property Type is Right for You?
1/18/2025
Single-Family Home
1/18/2025
Multi-Family Home
1/18/2025
Condominiums
1/18/2025
Relocating
1/18/2025
Local Knowledge Is Everything
1/18/2025
Be Aware of State or Regional Differences
1/18/2025
Explore Before You Move
1/18/2025
Chapter 5 The Mortgage Loan Journey — From Application to Closing
1/18/2025
Step 1: The Application
1/18/2025
Step 2: Pre-Qualification
1/18/2025
Step 3: Pre-Approval
1/18/2025
Step 4: Underwriting
1/18/2025
What Does an Underwriter Do?
1/18/2025
Typical Questions Underwriters May Ask
1/18/2025
Step 5: Closing
1/18/2025
If Only We Lived in a Perfect World: What Can Go Wrong?
1/18/2025
Unsatisfactory Inspection Reports
1/18/2025
Title issues
1/18/2025
Septic System Inspection Failure (Title 5)
1/18/2025
Change of Circumstances
1/18/2025
Chapter 6 Dollars and Sense: Understanding Rates, Points, and Terms
1/18/2025
Aiming for a Moving Target
1/18/2025
How Mortgage Interest Rates Are Determined.
1/18/2025
APR vs Interest Rate: What’s the Difference?
1/18/2025
Fixed vs Adjustable Rates
1/18/2025
Discount Points and Rate Buydowns: When Paying Now Can Save You Later
1/18/2025
What Are Discount Points?
1/18/2025
Why Pay Points?
1/18/2025
The Break-Even Point: Your Decision-Making Tool
1/18/2025
How Rate Buydowns Work
1/18/2025
Who Pays for the Buydown?
1/18/2025
Is It Right for You?
1/18/2025
How Amortization Works
1/18/2025
Chapter 7 Understanding Closing Costs — No Surprises at the Finish Line
1/18/2025
What Are Closing Costs?
1/18/2025
Common Closing Costs You Might See
1/18/2025
Loan Estimates and Closing Disclosures - Know What to Expect
1/18/2025
Opportunities to reduce closing costs
1/18/2025
Chapter 8 What Is PMI and When Is It Required?
1/18/2025
How is PMI Paid?
1/18/2025
FHA Loans and MIP
1/18/2025
Calculating PMI
1/18/2025
Examples with 95% and 85% LTV
1/18/2025
Chapter 9 The Role of Attorneys, Escrow Agents, and Title Insurance
1/18/2025
What Does a Closing Attorney or Escrow Agent Do?
1/18/2025
What Is Title Insurance?
1/18/2025
Lender’s Title Insurance vs. Owner’s Title Insurance
1/18/2025
Chapter 10 Homeowner’s Insurance
1/18/2025
Deductibles, Premiums, and Coverage— Find Your Sweet Spot
1/18/2025
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value
1/18/2025
Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Policy
1/18/2025
Why It’s Smart to Work with a Reputable, Local Insurance Company
1/18/2025
Chapter 11 Why a Financial Advisor Should Be Part of Your Mortgage Decision
1/18/2025
A Financial Advisor Sees the Bigger Picture
1/18/2025
Down Payment Decisions: More Isn't Always Better
1/18/2025
Points, Programs, and Payment Options
1/18/2025
Tax Considerations
1/18/2025
An Objective Look
1/18/2025
Avoiding Regret After Closing
1/18/2025
Chapter 12 Post Closing: Your Mortgage Relationship is Just Getting Started
1/18/2025
Understanding Your Statement
1/18/2025
Strategies to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
1/18/2025
Bi-Weekly Payments: A Simple Shift with Big Impact
1/18/2025
Round Up Your Payments
1/18/2025
Removing PMI
1/18/2025
Refinancing
1/18/2025
Recasting
1/18/2025
How a Recast Works
1/18/2025
An Illustrative Example
1/18/2025
Recasting vs. Refinancing
1/18/2025
Home Equity Loans and HELOCs: Flexibility After You Buy
1/18/2025
Mortgage Life Insurance Protection
1/18/2025
Chapter 13 Time Doesn’t Reverse – But Your Mortgage Can
1/18/2025
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?
1/18/2025
Who Qualifies?
1/18/2025
Dispelling Common Myths
1/18/2025
Benefits
1/18/2025
Pros and Cons
1/18/2025
Chapter 14 The Transformative Power of Homeownership: Inside the Mind (and Heart) of a Mortgage Veteran
1/18/2025
Chapter 15 Mortgage Glossary: 50 Essential Terms Every Borrower Should Know
1/18/2025
Acknowledgements, Gratitude, and Respect
1/18/2025
About the Authors
1/18/2025