What Is an FHA Loan? See Requirements and How to Apply

An FHA loan is a type of mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that’s designed to make homeownership more accessible. Because lenders are protected if a borrower defaults, they can offer more flexible requirements – like lower credit scores and smaller down payments – compared

What Are Closing Costs and How Much Will You Pay?

Key takeaways Closing costs are fees associated with buying and selling a home, like taxes and insurance. Buyers usually pay 2% – 5% of the purchase price in closing costs, but this varies. Closing costs are due on closing day when the home is transferred from seller to buyer.  When buying a home, t

Same Old Story For Pending Home Sales

Short version: The Pending Home Sales Index remains in the same low, narrow, sideways range that's been intact for 3 years. The good news is that there's been a reliable floor. The bad news is that the top of the range lines up with the historic lows seen in 2010 (April 2020 notwithstanding). 

Strong Purchase Demand Drives Solid Week For Mortgage Applications

Mortgage applications surged last week, posting a strong rebound as declining rates and improving market sentiment drove broad-based gains. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 7.9% increase on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 17. Both refinance and purchase activit