Hazard Insurance is critical for homebuyers and homeowners

I read an interesting article this week from USA Today about how many homeowners don’t have enough home insurance in the event of a disaster like a flood or fire. By now, you may have seen the stories about the heavy floods in Texas (here’s a photo gallery). Many people lost their homes, and I Read more about Hazard Insurance is critical for homebuyers and homeowners[…]

4 Mortgage Questions Every “Well-Rounded” Realtor Needs to Ask

It can sometimes feel like realtors and lenders speak different languages. Real estate agents need to know the ins and outs of buying and selling a home while the lender handles the mortgage. Sometimes, though, it’s important for realtors to understand the finer points of the lending side. As a lender who specializes in home Read more about 4 Mortgage Questions Every “Well-Rounded” Realtor Needs to Ask[…]

Complicated Terms. Simple Definitions: Funding Fee

I know there’s a lot of terminology in the mortgage world. Today I want to break down one you may have heard: funding fee. Funding fee is a one-time upfront cost on all VA loans that is paid directly to the Veterans Administration.  In the chart below, you can see the percentage of the funding fee Read more about Complicated Terms. Simple Definitions: Funding Fee[…]

first time homebuyer classes

First-time Homebuyer Classes in Hampton Roads

I can tell you from first-hand experience that millennials have officially jumped into the housing market. As an expert on millennials and mortgages, I led a seminar this past Tuesday (April 28) on how to obtain a home loan for the Hampton Roads chapter of the JMU Alumni Association. It took place at Mermaid Winery Read more about First-time Homebuyer Classes in Hampton Roads[…]

Mortgage defitions

Mortgage Terms and Definitions for First-Time Homebuyers

When we educate people on the housing market, it’s important to start from square one. Yes, the home buying process has many rules, laws and complexities, but people also need to understand the terms you and I take for granted. How do I know? In February, USA TODAY reported many millennials don’t enter the housing Read more about Mortgage Terms and Definitions for First-Time Homebuyers[…]