USDA Home Loan Inspections: What to Know

An appraisal is a property valuation conducted by a licensed appraiser and is required as part of the USDA approval process. To be approved for a USDA loan, a property cannot have an appraised value less than the selling price. USDA-approved appraisers will consider multiple factors to determine the market value of a property and … Read more

how much does a cosigner help on home loans

How Much Does a Co-signer Help on Home Loans? Getting approved for a mortgage can be challenging, especially for first-time homebuyers. One way to boost your chances is by adding a co-signer to your loan application. But how much does having a co-signer actually help? What is a Mortgage Co-signer? A mortgage co-signer, also called … Read more

Construction Loans vs Mortgage Loans: Key Differences You Should Know

We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free – so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships … Read more

USDA Rural Housing Construction Loans in Massachusetts: A Helpful Guide

For many people, purchasing or building a home in Massachusetts can be prohibitively expensive due to the state’s high real estate costs. USDA rural housing loans offer an affordable financing option for low-to-moderate income buyers looking to achieve homeownership. One of the key USDA programs available in Massachusetts is the Section 523 Rural Housing Site … Read more

How to Get Loans for Vacation Homes

A borrower looking to finance a vacation home has several options. Among them are a conventional mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC), or cash-out refinancing loan. Before choosing a way to finance a vacation home, consider the lender’s requirements for credit scores and down payments as well as other factors that’ll … Read more