Mortgage approval is about more than a credit score. Learn how income, debt, credit, and down payment work together when buying a home.
An FHA loan may still be possible after a lengthy job gap. Learn the six-month return-to-work rule, the two-year work history requirement, and how timing affects a purchase or refinance.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home with an FHA loan, you may have heard some chatter throughout the mortgage industry about another possible reduction in FHA mortgage insurance premiums (MIP). Before we go any further, it’s important to separate fact from speculation. As of today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has not announced…
One of the biggest challenges facing today’s housing market isn’t necessarily home prices—it’s something many economists refer to as the mortgage lock-in effect. Millions of homeowners purchased or refinanced homes between 2020 and 2022 when mortgage interest rates were historically low. Many of those borrowers locked in rates between 2% and 4%. Fast forward to…
If you’ve recently started your own business, there’s some good news that could make qualifying for a mortgage much easier. For years, one of the biggest challenges for self-employed borrowers wasn’t having enough income—it was proving it under traditional mortgage guidelines. Freddie Mac recently updated its underwriting guidelines, and while the change may sound technical,…
Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about your credit score, down payment, or whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage. The good news is there are programs designed to help buyers who may not fit into traditional lending guidelines. One of those options is the Arrive Home Earned Equity Program (EEP). The…
New USDA Income Deduction Changes Could Help More Families Qualify for Homeownership If you’ve been thinking about buying a home with a USDA loan, there’s a small but meaningful update that could make a difference for some families. Effective July 13, 2026, the USDA increased two of the annual income deductions used to determine eligibility…
New USDA Income Limits for Sonoma County: You May Now Qualify for 100% Home Financing If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but assumed your income was too high for a USDA loan, it’s time to take another look. The USDA has updated its income limits, and many Sonoma County homebuyers who didn’t qualify…