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Buying a Home Guides

Preparing for a purchase and understanding the steps in a home transaction.

Guides & explainers

GuideMortgage & FinanceOct 12, 20264 min read

HomeReady Boarder Income: What Counts

HomeReady boarder income requires proof of shared residence and rent received. See how payment history, twelve-month averaging and the 30% cap work.

GuideAgents & BrokeragesOct 12, 20265 min read

North Carolina Repair Requests: Scope and Proof

Make North Carolina repair requests clearer: define the work, track what both parties accepted, and check completion evidence before closing.

ChecklistHomebuildingOct 9, 20264 min read

New Home Landscaping Escrow: Closing Checks

A new home landscaping escrow can help address unfinished work. Check lender approval, funding, completion deadlines and release terms before closing.

ChecklistHomebuildingOct 5, 20264 min read

North Carolina Septic Bedroom Count: Lot Plans

Verify a North Carolina lot's septic bedroom count before choosing a house plan. Check expansion approvals, repair space and advertising limits.

Deep GuideMortgage & FinanceOct 4, 20264 min read

FHA Non-Occupying Co-Borrower Rules

FHA non-occupying co-borrower rules can limit financing to 75%. Learn when family members qualify for more and how property units affect the limit.

GuideHousing TechnologySep 30, 20264 min read

eNote Correction: When a New Note Is Needed

Fannie Mae’s eNote correction rules determine when a new note is needed, who must sign and how acquisition changes the required process.

Deep GuideMortgage & FinanceSep 27, 20265 min read

VA Residual Income Family Size: Who Counts?

VA residual income family size includes more than borrowers. Learn when a spouse or dependent may be omitted and which documents support the count.

GuideHousing TechnologySep 26, 20265 min read

Mortgage Asset Report Expiration: Which Date?

Mortgage asset report expiration depends on data dates and DU validation conditions. A delayed closing may require fresh employment evidence.

GuideAgents & BrokeragesSep 23, 20264 min read

Commission Rebate: Closing Disclosure Checks

Check where a commission rebate belongs on the Closing Disclosure, what your lender must review, and why a separate payment needs scrutiny.

ChecklistHomebuildingSep 20, 20263 min read

New Home Passive Radon System: What to Check

A new home with a passive radon system still needs testing. Check equipment, fan activation costs, follow-up duties and the records to retain.

Calculated ExplainerHousing MarketsSep 19, 20264 min read

Basement Price per Square Foot: Match the Area

Basement price per square foot can mislead when listings count different areas. See how appraisals treat finished basements and compare homes consistently.

ChecklistHousing TechnologySep 19, 20265 min read

eClosing Paper Copies: Consent and Access

Before consenting to an eClosing, check paper copies, fees, withdrawal rules and portal access so you can save and retrieve your mortgage documents.

Calculated ExplainerHousing MarketsSep 15, 20265 min read

Philadelphia Tax Abatement Expiration

Plan for Philadelphia tax abatement expiration: verify the remaining term, compare future tax bills, and check when Homestead relief may apply.

Calculated ExplainerMortgage & FinanceSep 13, 20265 min read

USDA Household vs. Repayment Income

USDA household income can count toward eligibility without supporting repayment. Compare Guaranteed Loan calculations, documents and deductions.

Calculated ExplainerHousing MarketsSep 7, 20266 min read

Florida Homestead Portability: Downsizing Math

Calculate Florida homestead portability for downsizing, then check exemptions, tax rates, separate charges, eligibility dates and applicable forms.

Deep GuidePolicy & RegulationSep 7, 20264 min read

Good Neighbor Next Door: The Silent Second

The Good Neighbor Next Door silent second secures your discount. Understand the occupancy clock, annual certification, lien release and early moves.

Calculated ExplainerMortgage & FinanceSep 6, 20265 min read

FHA Three- and Four-Unit Self-Sufficiency Test

FHA three- and four-unit self-sufficiency rules: count the owner's unit, apply the right rent deduction and separate loan approval from rental cash flow.

ChecklistHomebuildingSep 5, 20264 min read

NYC New Condo: Temporary Occupancy Checklist

Buying a new NYC condo with a temporary occupancy certificate? Check unit coverage, expiration, renewal plans and written closing conditions.

GuideHousing TechnologySep 4, 20264 min read

Mortgage Bank Link: How to Revoke Access

Revoke access to a mortgage bank link, confirm remaining verification needs, and separate disconnection from data deletion or application withdrawal.

Calculated ExplainerHousing MarketsAug 31, 20264 min read

Pittsburgh Transfer Tax: Budget Your Closing Cash

Pittsburgh transfer tax affects closing cash. Compare city and Baldwin Borough rates, contract splits, and a hypothetical $300,000 purchase.

Calculated ExplainerHousing MarketsAug 29, 20264 min read

September Closing: Budget for Rent Overlap

Budget for rent overlap with a September closing: map prepaid interest, closing funds, moving costs, lease deadlines and your first mortgage payment.

Calculated ExplainerAgents & BrokeragesAug 26, 20264 min read

Buyer Agent Retainer Fee: Check the Credit

Check whether a buyer agent retainer fee gives you a credit at closing, when it is earned, and what happens if you do not buy or change agents.

ChecklistHousing MarketsAug 24, 20264 min read

California Condo Earthquake Assessment Checklist

Check California condo earthquake assessment risk by comparing HOA deductibles, owner coverage and allocation rules before setting your purchase budget.

ComparisonHousing TechnologyAug 24, 20264 min read

UAD 3.6: Update vs. Completion Report

Compare the UAD 3.6 update vs. completion report: what each establishes, when a loan may need both, and how the original appraisal format controls.

ComparisonPolicy & RegulationAug 23, 20264 min read

Homebuyer Education vs. Housing Counseling

Compare homebuyer education vs. housing counseling, including costs, accepted providers, certificates, and separate assistance-program eligibility.

GuidePolicy & RegulationAug 22, 20266 min read

Voucher Homeownership: Check PHA Participation

Check PHA participation in voucher homeownership before shopping. Learn which eligibility, mortgage, counseling and property approvals you need.

GlossaryHousing TechnologyAug 17, 20264 min read

eNote vs. Scanned Mortgage Note: The Difference

Compare an eNote vs. a scanned mortgage note: what makes an electronic original, why a closing may still need paper and which copies to keep.

GuideHousing MarketsAug 16, 20265 min read

Irvine Mello-Roos Tax: Estimate the Annual Bill

Build an Irvine Mello-Roos tax estimate from parcel records. Compare current charges, maximum taxes and end dates without double-counting costs.

ComparisonMortgage & FinanceAug 16, 20264 min read

Zero Student Loan Payment: Mortgage Rules Compared

A zero student loan payment can affect mortgage qualification differently under Fannie Mae and FHA. Compare the calculations and documents lenders need.

ComparisonPolicy & RegulationAug 10, 20265 min read

HOME Assistance: Resale vs. Recapture

Compare HOME assistance resale vs. recapture rules: who can buy your home, what you may repay, and which documents define your obligations.

GlossaryHousing TechnologyAug 9, 20264 min read

AUS Approval vs. Clear to Close: What Remains?

Compare AUS approval vs. clear to close, including DU and LPA findings, lender verification duties, and changes that can trigger another review.

Deep GuideMortgage & FinanceAug 9, 20265 min read

Second VA Loan: Calculate Remaining Entitlement

For a second VA loan, calculate remaining entitlement, check any down payment, and see how keeping your first home affects approval and occupancy.

ComparisonHomebuildingAug 4, 20266 min read

Site Work Allowances in a Fixed Price Contract

Compare site work allowances in a fixed price contract with exclusions and defined work, including overruns, credits, labor, markup, and quote details.

GuideMortgage & FinanceAug 2, 20265 min read

FHA Gift Funds Documentation: Donor to Closing

Prepare FHA gift funds documentation that connects the donor, source and transfer, and check when unused gifts may count toward reserves.

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