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…
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…
Finding out you owe money to the IRS can be stressful. Between tax notices, payment plans, and trying to get your finances back on track, many people assume buying a home is no longer an option. Fortunately, that’s often not the case. One of the most common misconceptions in mortgage lending is that owing back…
One of the most common questions we hear from homebuyers has nothing to do with interest rates, credit scores, or down payments. Instead, it sounds something like this: “If my parents or grandparents help me buy a house, am I going to have to pay gift taxes?” The good news is that, in almost every…
If you’re using a VA loan to purchase a home, you may hear the term “VA Tidewater” during the appraisal process. While the name sounds unusual, the Tidewater process is actually a valuable protection designed to help veterans avoid appraisal surprises and provide an opportunity to support a home’s value before the appraisal is finalized.…
One of the biggest misconceptions in mortgage lending is that a high income can solve every mortgage qualification challenge. While income is extremely important, it cannot always make up for weaknesses in other areas of your loan application. When it comes to qualifying for a mortgage, there are three major factors lenders evaluate: income, credit…