Loan Types & Basics Resources
Everything you need to know about the basics of financing, types of loans, and how they work. Learn about different loan types, common home loan questions, mortgage terminology, and how to manage your loan after closing.
FHA Loans for First-Time Home Buyers: A 2026 Guide to Requirements, Costs, and Getting Approved
Why So Many First-Time Home Buyers Start With an FHA Loan Every buyer I sit down with shows up with...
VA Loans and PMI: 7 Things to Know About the No-Mortgage-Insurance Benefit in 2026
1. A VA Loan Skips the Monthly Mortgage Insurance Most Buyers Pay Here's the short version, and it's the whole...
APY vs. Interest Rate: The 2026 Saver's Guide to Maximizing Your Money
Someone recently asked me the question I hear constantly: "Why is my account showing a 5% interest rate but my...
Owner-Occupied Properties: 7 Things Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know in 2026
Why Owner-Occupied Properties Matter More Than Ever in 2026 Here's what I tell every borrower who's thinking about real estate...
Is a 40-Year Mortgage Right for You in 2026? The Complete Guide
What Exactly Is a 40-Year Mortgage? A 40-year mortgage is exactly what it sounds like—a home loan you repay over...
VA Funding Fee in 2026: Complete Rate Charts, Exemptions & Cost-Saving Strategies
Let me be straight with you about VA funding fees. I've worked with thousands of military buyers over my career...
VA Loans for Investment Property: 6 Critical Rules Every Veteran Must Know in 2026
Understanding VA Loans and Investment Property in 2026 Here's what I tell every borrower who asks about using VA loans...
Foreclosure Rates by State: A 50-State Breakdown for 2026
What This 50-State Foreclosure Snapshot Actually Measures Every borrower situation is different, and so is every state. That is the...
Mortgage Servicing in 2026: 12 Things Every Homeowner Should Understand About the Company That Holds Your Loan
What Mortgage Servicing Actually Is, in Plain Language Think of a mortgage as two separate jobs that share a balance...