Talk to your lender about specific loss mitigation options. Work directly with him or her to request a “workout packet.” A secondary lender, like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, may have purchased your loan. Your lender can follow the appropriate guidelines set by Fannie or Freddie to determine the best option for your situation. Fannie...
Read more »

66. WHAT IS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT? Also known as HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was established in 1965 to develop national policies and programs to address housing needs in the U.S. One of HUD’s primary missions is to create a suitable living environment for all Americans...
Read more »

61. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’VE APPLIED FOR MY LOAN? It usually takes a lender between 1-6 weeks to complete the evaluation of your application. Its not unusual for the lender to ask for more information once the application has been submitted. The sooner you can provide the information, the faster your application will be processed....
Read more »

54. HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST LOAN – PROGRAM FOR ME? Your personal situation will determine the best kind of loan for you. By asking yourself a few questions, you can help narrow your search among the many options available and discover which loan suits you best. Do you expect your finances to...
Read more »

47. WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO SECURE A LOAN? The first step in securing a loan is to complete a loan application. To do so, you’ll need the following information. Pay stubs for the past 2-3 months W-2 forms for the past 2 years Information on long-term debts Recent...
Read more »

33. WHAT IS A MORTGAGE? Generally speaking, a mortgage is a loan obtained to purchase real estate. The “mortgage” itself is a lien (a legal claim) on the home or property that secures the promise to pay the debt. All mortgages have two features in common: principal and interest. 34. WHAT IS A LOAN TO VALUE...
Read more »

YOU’VE FOUND IT… WHAT IS NEXT? 19. WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTOR DO, AND HOW DOES AN INSPECTION FIGURE IN THE PURCHASE OF A HOME? An inspector checks the safety of your potential new home. Home Inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house and will make you aware of only...
Read more »

FINDING YOUR HOME 7. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING ON A COMMUNITY? Select a community that will allow you to best live your daily life. Many people choose communities based on schools. Do you want access to shopping and public transportation? Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or...
Read more »

1. HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M READY TO BUY A HOME? You can find out by asking yourself some questions: Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)? Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years? Is my current income reliable? Do I have...
Read more »

A home is a financial asset and more: it’s a place to live and raise children; it’s a plan for the future; it’s an investment in your community. That’s why we at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development want all Americans to have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of owning a...
Read more »

FHA Pre-qualification Form (Click Here) Learn about your credit score by finding out the “Four C’s of Credit – character – capacity – collateral – capital.”
Read more »

The maximum loan amount of your mortgage depends on several factors, such as, how much you earn, how much debt you already have and the type of mortgage. FHA mortgages are one example: What have you heard about qualifying for an FHA-insured Loan? * Only inexpensive homes are allowed? Not true! ...
Read more »