VantageScore 4.0 Is Now Available to All Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lenders

A major change to mortgage credit scoring is now underway. VantageScore 4.0 is now available to all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-approved lenders for eligible conventional mortgages. The two government-sponsored enterprises announced the expanded availability on September 9, 2026, following an initial limited rollout to approved lenders. That means VantageScore 4.0 is no longer limited […]

Seller Concessions Explained: How Seller Credits Can Help With Closing Costs

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to focus almost entirely on the down payment. But the down payment isn’t the only cash you’ll need at closing. Closing costs and prepaid expenses can add thousands of dollars to the amount a buyer needs to bring to the closing table. One tool that may help is […]

Mortgage Rates Are Near 7% — So Why Do Buyers Have More Leverage?

If you’re thinking about buying a home right now, you may feel like the odds are stacked against you. Mortgage rates are still hovering around 6.7%, keeping monthly payments considerably higher than they were several years ago. And with rates still elevated, many potential buyers are wondering whether they should simply wait for mortgage rates […]

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford? Here’s What Decides the Answer

If you’ve started house hunting, you’ve probably typed some version of “how much mortgage can I afford?” into Google more than once. It’s one of the most common questions homebuyers have, and for good reason. The answer shapes almost everything else about your home search — from the neighborhoods you consider to the price range […]

FHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Is Right for You in 2026?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and one of the first questions many home buyers ask is: Should I choose an FHA loan or a conventional loan? The answer depends on your credit score, down payment, debt-to-income ratio, financial goals, and even how long you plan to stay […]

Can You Refinance a Conventional Loan Into a VA Loan?

Yes. Many veterans are surprised to learn they can refinance a conventional mortgage into a VA loan using the VA cash-out refinance program. If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member who bought your home with a conventional loan, you might not realize you have an option to switch it over to a VA loan […]

Why Does Mortgage News Sound Like a Broken Record? The Iran War Is the Reason We Keep Hearing the Same Song

If you’ve been following mortgage rate news for the past few months, I don’t blame you for feeling like the needle is stuck. Rates drop a little. Headlines call it a turning point. Then a week later, rates climb right back up and the same experts are back on camera explaining why, playing the same […]

Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy a House? Your Questions, Answered

If you are thinking about stepping into the housing market this year, you are probably seeing a lot of conflicting headlines. To help you cut through the clutter, I am breaking down the top three questions homebuyers are asking right now, using the latest industry data. Here is what you need to know about navigating […]

Pitfalls & Pluses of Doing Business with Family or Friends When Getting a Mortgage

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Because of that, many homebuyers naturally feel more comfortable working with someone they already know. I hear this frequently: “We’re using a friend.” “My cousin is handling the loan.” And sometimes that works out wonderfully. There are real advantages to […]

Why Gas Prices Are Rising Even Though the U.S. Produces So Much Oil — And How It Can Affect Mortgage Rates

If the United States produces millions of barrels of oil every day, many Americans naturally ask: “Why are gas prices still rising?” It seems confusing at first glance. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest oil producers and even exports oil to other countries. So why do Americans still experience rising gas prices at […]

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