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Latest Homes News
What is a home equity loan?
Key takeaways A home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum against your home's equity, usually at a…
What are cash-out refinance tax implications?
Key takeaways By tapping your home equity, cash-out refinancing can help you fund major expenses, like a home renovation. The…
In debate over mortgage ‘junk’ fees, lenders and regulators disagree
What to know The federal government is taking a closer look at mortgage fees, including discount points borrowers pay upfront…
How to improve your credit score for a mortgage
Key takeaways The minimum credit score required for a conventional loan is 620, while other mortgages require anywhere from 500…
Mortgage loan modification: What it is and how to get one
Joe Schmelzer/Getty Images Key takeaways Loan modifications are a long-term mortgage relief option for borrowers experiencing financial hardship, such as…
The great Demotech scare of 2022: a catalyst for change in the Florida insurance market
In 2022, news that 27 of Florida’s property insurance companies were potentially facing a financial rating downgrade from Demotech, the…
Guide to first-time homebuyer loans and programs
In this article Caret DownCaret Up If you’ve never owned a home before — or it’s been a while since…
Can you get a home equity loan on investment or rental property?
Key takeaways You can get home equity loans on investment and rental properties, though they may be harder to obtain.…
Home equity loan or HELOC vs. cash-out mortgage refinance
Key takeaways Home equity loans, HELOCs, and cash-out refinancing are three popular ways to borrow using your home as collateral.…
Assumable mortgage: What is it and how does it work?
kate_sept2004/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways When you assume a mortgage from a home seller, you become responsible for…
