The Porch

Private Mortgage Insurance—PMI for short—is one of those mortgage terms that often raises eyebrows. What is it? Why do some buyers have to...

When it comes to qualifying for a mortgage, one of the most important numbers lenders look at is your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). It’s a...

When you buy a home, there’s a lot to think about—budgets, inspections, moving trucks, loan paperwork. But one thing that often gets...

When you're buying a home or refinancing, there's a lot of paperwork. But one document stands out as the last big checkpoint before you...

Buying a home is exciting—but also a major financial decision. One of the most critical steps in the process? The home inspection. It’s not...

If you’ve ever bought or refinanced a home, you’ve likely heard the term “closing date” tossed around a lot. And if you’re just starting...

When you're exploring ways to buy a home, you'll likely come across the term government-backed loan. It sounds official—and it is—but more...

When you're buying a home, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket numbers—purchase price, down payment, loan details. But there’s a quieter...

When you're buying a home, it’s easy to focus on just the loan amount and interest rate. But there’s a bigger picture—and it’s called PITI.

When it comes to home financing, every percentage point on your mortgage rate can make a big difference over time. One strategy some buyers...