Buying a home
Know your options!
We'll set you up with a pre-approval, align on a game plan, meet you where you're at, and help you move forward with confidence every step of the way.
- Talk to a licensed loan officer directly
- No credit pull to get started
- Real options, usually the same day
Meet the team. Licensed loan officers in Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota and South Carolina. NMLS #2469842.
Thanks — you'll hear from us ASAP.
A loan officer has your request and will reach out as soon as possible, usually within the hour during business hours. Keep an eye on your phone and email.
Buying a home
Everything you need to know before you buy
35 articlesNo articles match that. Try a different word.
Second Home Mortgage Requirements: What You Need to Qualify in 2026
August 7, 2026
Buying a second home? Learn how lenders classify various second properties — plus the down payment, credit, and reserve requirements you'll need… Read article →
How Much House Can I *Actually* Afford?
May 28, 2026
Affording a home right now isn’t easy. The typical age of a first-time home buyer in America is now 40 years old… Read article →
FHA Loan Limits: Where They Stand in 2026
May 20, 2026
Buying with an FHA loan? Use our lookup tool to find the 2026 FHA loan limits in your county and learn what… Read article →
Is a Conventional Loan the Right Path for You?
April 25, 2026
See how conventional loans work in 2026: credit score and down payment minimums, current rates, PMI costs, and how they compare to… Read article →
USDA Loans: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply
April 16, 2026
USDA loans offer 0% down payment for rural and suburban homebuyers. Learn about eligibility requirements, current rates, guarantee fees, and how USDA… Read article →
The VA Loan: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply
April 15, 2026
Learn how VA loans work, who's eligible, and how they compare to conventional mortgages. Covers current rates, funding fees, loan types, and… Read article →
FHA Loan: Is It the Right Choice for You?
April 12, 2026
FHA loans offer low down payments and flexible credit requirements, but mortgage insurance adds up. Learn if an FHA loan is the… Read article →
Self-Employed? Here's How to Get a Mortgage
March 13, 2026
If you’ve built a successful business or freelance practice, you may be feeling financially ready to buy a home. Unfortunately, getting a… Read article →
Family Opportunity Mortgage 2026
March 12, 2026
If you want to buy a home for an aging parent or a disabled adult child who can't qualify for a mortgage… Read article →
Mortgage Insurance Calculator
March 12, 2026
Mortgage insurance adds to your monthly housing cost, but how much you pay, and for how long, depends on your loan type,… Read article →
Commercial Loan Calculator
March 12, 2026
Commercial real estate loans work differently than residential mortgages, and the differences matter. Loan structures vary widely, balloon payments are common, and… Read article →
Bridge Loan Calculator
March 12, 2026
A bridge loan lets you tap your current home's equity to fund the purchase of a new home before your existing home… Read article →
Home Loans for Bad Credit
March 12, 2026
Bad credit doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage, but it will affect your interest rate, your loan options, and how… Read article →
Interest-Only Mortgage Calculator
March 12, 2026
An interest-only mortgage lets you pay just the interest for a set period (typically 5, 7, or 10 years) before your payment… Read article →
Biweekly Mortgage Payment Calculator
March 12, 2026
Switching from monthly to biweekly mortgage payments is one of the simplest ways to pay off your loan faster and save on… Read article →
USDA Loan Calculator
March 12, 2026
USDA loans offer one of the few remaining 0% down payment options for home buyers, but they come with geographic and income… Read article →
VA Loan Calculator
March 12, 2026
VA loans are one of the most valuable benefits available to eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. The biggest advantage is… Read article →
Mortgage Calculator
March 12, 2026
Your monthly mortgage payment is more than just principal and interest. Our mortgage calculator estimates your full monthly payment for a fixed-rate… Read article →
FHA Loan Calculator: Check Your Payments
March 12, 2026
An FHA loan lets you buy a home with as little as 3.5% down, but your monthly payment includes more than just… Read article →
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Calculator
March 11, 2026
As the name suggests, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that change over time, rather than staying fixed for the life of… Read article →
No-Closing-Cost Mortgage: Is It a Good Idea?
March 5, 2026
To a first-time home buyer, a no-closing-cost mortgage can sound like a less expensive way to buy a home. But the name… Read article →
Is a 7/1 ARM loan a Good Idea Right Now?
March 5, 2026
While adjustable-rate mortgages carry certain risks, in certain situations, they can also work to your advantage. Here's how to tell if a… Read article →
How Does Down Payment Assistance Work?
March 4, 2026
Down payment assistance programs can speed up the process and help you get into a home by giving (or loaning) you money… Read article →
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Here’s How to Choose
March 4, 2026
A 15-year mortgage will save you a fortune in interest. But a 30-year mortgage will keep your monthly payments manageable. That's the… Read article →
5/1 ARM loan: Is It a Good Idea?
March 3, 2026
Many buyers see adjustable-rate mortgages as risky. But with today’s stubbornly high interest rates, could a 5/1 ARM actually work to your… Read article →
How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
February 26, 2026
Choosing a home to buy takes hours of scrolling through Zillow and debating over floor plans. While buyers obsess over the number… Read article →
DSCR Loans: What You Need to Know
February 23, 2026
You've got a duplex with a tenant paying $5,000/month, and you're ready to buy your next rental. But your tax returns are… Read article →
Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a House?
February 13, 2026
You don’t technically need a realtor to buy a house, but it’s recommended. Navigating the home buying process is complex and time… Read article →
What Is PMI? Why to Avoid It If You Can
February 12, 2026
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a fee you have to pay when your down payment is under 20%. Here’s how it works… Read article →
Construction Loans vs. Mortgages: How Are They Different?
February 11, 2026
Construction loans are more difficult to qualify for riskier, but they can finance custom builds while mortgages are designed for existing homes. Read article →
Mortgage Requirements 2026: What You Need to Qualify
February 11, 2026
What do you need to qualify for a mortgage in 2026? See updated credit score, DTI, income, and down payment requirements. Read article →
How to Qualify for a Mortgage in 6 Steps
February 6, 2026
Knowing how to qualify for a mortgage might feel like a big deal, but following these basic steps will make it more… Read article →
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
February 6, 2026
Learn what credit score you need to buy a house, how requirements vary by loan type, and what to do if your… Read article →
9 Things You Need to Buy a House
February 6, 2026
Here are the 9 most important things you’ll need to buy a house, from a steady source of income to knowing your… Read article →
What Is a Mortgage? Types, Requirements, and How to Qualify
February 6, 2026
A mortgage allows you to buy a home now and pay for it over time, with interest, fees, and taxes added along… Read article →
Is a 7/1 ARM loan a Good Idea Right Now?
March 5, 2026
While adjustable-rate mortgages carry certain risks, in certain situations, they can also work to your advantage. Here's how to tell if a… Read article →
How Does Down Payment Assistance Work?
March 4, 2026
Down payment assistance programs can speed up the process and help you get into a home by giving (or loaning) you money… Read article →
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Here’s How to Choose
March 4, 2026
A 15-year mortgage will save you a fortune in interest. But a 30-year mortgage will keep your monthly payments manageable. That's the… Read article →
5/1 ARM loan: Is It a Good Idea?
March 3, 2026
Many buyers see adjustable-rate mortgages as risky. But with today’s stubbornly high interest rates, could a 5/1 ARM actually work to your… Read article →
How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
February 26, 2026
Choosing a home to buy takes hours of scrolling through Zillow and debating over floor plans. While buyers obsess over the number… Read article →
DSCR Loans: What You Need to Know
February 23, 2026
You've got a duplex with a tenant paying $5,000/month, and you're ready to buy your next rental. But your tax returns are… Read article →
Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a House?
February 13, 2026
You don’t technically need a realtor to buy a house, but it’s recommended. Navigating the home buying process is complex and time… Read article →
What Is PMI? Why to Avoid It If You Can
February 12, 2026
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a fee you have to pay when your down payment is under 20%. Here’s how it works… Read article →
Construction Loans vs. Mortgages: How Are They Different?
February 11, 2026
Construction loans are more difficult to qualify for riskier, but they can finance custom builds while mortgages are designed for existing homes. Read article →
Mortgage Requirements 2026: What You Need to Qualify
February 11, 2026
What do you need to qualify for a mortgage in 2026? See updated credit score, DTI, income, and down payment requirements. Read article →
How to Qualify for a Mortgage in 6 Steps
February 6, 2026
Knowing how to qualify for a mortgage might feel like a big deal, but following these basic steps will make it more… Read article →
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
February 6, 2026
Learn what credit score you need to buy a house, how requirements vary by loan type, and what to do if your… Read article →
9 Things You Need to Buy a House
February 6, 2026
Here are the 9 most important things you’ll need to buy a house, from a steady source of income to knowing your… Read article →
What Is a Mortgage? Types, Requirements, and How to Qualify
February 6, 2026
A mortgage allows you to buy a home now and pay for it over time, with interest, fees, and taxes added along… Read article →