Articles by Peter Miller - Page 4

What is a portfolio mortgage? It's a loan that the lender doesn't sell to investors. Instead, it keeps the loan on its own books. That means the lender can make its own rules, and be creative about its products.

Refinance wait times are about to get very long. Lenders weren't prepared. Here's how to refinance without waiting 60 days or more.

A refinance calculator can make it easier to decide whether to refinance. Here's one to try.

Refinance rates are so low that nearly 10 million people, conservatively, can save hundreds per month. Are you among those who could save?

Denmark is offering negative mortgage rates on 10-year loans. This is iron-clad proof that mortgage rates can go lower, despite a historic run downward.

VA refinance rates are hitting new lows. How to capture a rate quickly with very little paperwork and effort.

FHA is reducing its maximum loan-to-value from 85% to 80% for cash-out loans. Your strategy in light of this change.

Home refinance rates have slipped more than a full percentage point since November. They're already near historic lows, could they go lower?

Is there a Trump effect that's pushing down mortgage rates? The power of the presidency is enormous but does it include real estate financing?

Not that long ago, rates in the 3s were said to be impossible. Now, with 30-year fixed rates descending toward 3%, are rates in the high- or even mid-2s a possibility?

A well-known mortgage rate commentator is calling for the lowest mortgage rates in history. Will that prediction materialize?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a unique way of looking at income. Instead of the total number, it’s most interested in “residual income,” the cash you have left over after all major expenses.

FHA is one of the most popular home buying programs in existence. What does it take to qualify? Do you make too much to be eligible for FHA?

FHA credit score eligibility depends on just a few special numbers. That, at least, is the quick take. But if you look deeper you can see that the relationship between FHA mortgages and credit scores is more complicated.

If you’re looking for a tiny house finance you’ll need to be creative and resourceful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with the dollars you need. Here’s where to look.

The FHA down payment is just 3.5% for most borrowers. As down payments go it’s certainly a lot less than the 20% up front some mortgage programs require. But is there a way to make the FHA down payment even easier?