As Featured in Yahoo! Finance
What Is Escrow?
Escrow is something that can benefit the homeowner, home buyer, and seller as well. However, it doesn’t always apply to every situation.
First Time Home Buyer Checklist
Better Lending has a couple of tricks and tips to make the purchasing process a little easier for first time home buyers.
Where are people moving to in 2022?
With 40% of remote workers staying on a hybrid schedule for the 2022 year, we will see more people move to a state they have never lived in.
2022 Housing Market
Between the incredibly low-interest rates and the shortage of houses on the market 2022 might be the best year to buy a home.
Decorating your Home For the Holidays
It's that time of year again where people turn their homes into a holiday wonderland! Here are a couple of tips for decorating your home!
Pros of moving to Texas
Texas has now been hit with the label of the fastest-growing state in the nation, lets look at some of the pros of moving to Texas.
Holiday Activities in Chicago
Living in Chicago can be a tough time during the cold winter but that doesn’t mean you can't go out and enjoy some great activities.
Readying The Home For Winter
Whether we like it or not winter is upon us, here is a breakdown of how to keep your home safe and sound for this season!
What is a Cash-Out Refinance?
You might be asking yourself what is a cash-out refinance? How do I qualify? Well, here is our Better Lending breakdown.
Top Landmarks To Visit In Chicago
We're here to showcase some of the best Chicago landmarks to make any visit memorable and an experience you won't soon forget.
Understanding The Mortgage Process
When looking over the entire mortgage process there can be a lot of moving pieces we are committed to making it an easy-to-understand process.
Conventional Loan Explained
With a multitude of options for mortgage loans let's take a look at why a Conventional Loan might be the perfect loan for you.
What qualifies you for a USDA Loan?
A USDA loan is perfect for anybody that doesn’t particularly enjoy the hustle and bustle of a big city, learn how easy it is to qualify!
Top 10 Neighborhoods in Chicago (2021)
When looking for the best neighborhoods in Chicago there's a lot of options to consider, join us in looking at the top 10 in Chicagoland.
What Families Look For in a Home
A new family will need to cover the bases of what to look for in a new home, checkout our list of what aspects of homebuying to lookout for.
Do I really need to have earnest money?
Earnest money is rather simple in concept and can give you the advantage over other bidders on the home you want. Find out why!
How to Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance
Borrowers are allowed to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) removed from a home loan in two ways, automatically or by request.
The pros and cons of putting a larger down payment on a home
There are benefits and a few disadvantages of a large down payment on a house. Check out the pro and cons of each.
How to win a bidding war on a home
Learn how to go about winning a home bidding war as the housing market demand for homes rises and supply is starting to dwindle.
Is credit counseling and debt consolidation/relief synonymous?
They both ultimately work to help improve clients’ financial situations so they must be the same. Well…not quite.
Why work with a credit counselor before buying a home?
Looking to buy a home but aren’t confident in your finances? Working with a credit counselor might be an option to ensure you get the best mortgage rate possible.
What Are Points and What Do They Have to Do With My Mortgage?
The concept of mortgage points that we’ll discuss here refers to credits a borrower can pay in exchange for a lower interest rate.
What is included in mortgage closing costs and how much can I expect to pay?
Mortgage closing costs can comprise any number of expenses above a home’s purchase price. See what's included.
What are USDA loans and who is eligible?
USDA mortgages are especially attractive because no down payment is required and there is no minimum credit score to be eligible.
What is private mortgage insurance and why do I need it?
You may be required to take out a private mortgage insurance policy we'll explain what private mortgage insurance is.
Where Do I Begin Preparing for a Mortgage Application?
Being prepared can help move along the mortgage application process more smoothly and efficiently. Learn what you should do first.
Why Mortgage Payments Change
When your mortgage payment changes you may not be able to figure out what caused the change. Learn why your payment may have changed.
How Are Escrow Accounts Related to Mortgages
If you are exploring all the possibilities of buying a home and securing a mortgage escrow accounts are an important tool for borrowers.
Glossary of Mortgage Terms pt. 2
Part 2 of our glossary of mortgage terms explains some of the most common concepts associated with mortgages.
Key Mortgage Terms pt. 1
We cover the most common terms associated with securing a mortgage to help you have a greater understanding of the application process.
What do Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have to do with mortgages?
When starting to research getting a mortgage by learning the difference between Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
How to Calculate What an Affordable Home Is
When looking at how to calculate what an affordable home is, the first step is estimating what your principal and interest would be.
Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval
When thinking about pre-qualification vs pre-approval it's about following all the application procedures for first-time homebuyers.
Factors That Affect Your Interest Rate
First-time home buyers may have an idea of what will affect their interest rate as they apply for a mortgage but may not see all the factors.
Mistakes Borrowers Make Part 2
When you apply for a mortgage there are many mistakes borrowers can make such as getting a new credit card, learn how you can avoid mistakes.
Mistakes Borrowers Make Part 1
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you get through the process as quickly as possible when applying for a mortgage.
What Is the Difference Between Conforming and Nonconforming Loans?
Conventional loans can be categorized in two ways: Conforming and Nonconforming Loans. There is a rather simple distinction between the two.
How Conventional Mortgages Differ From Others
Conventional mortgages often meet down payment and income requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a credit score of at least 620.
How to Keep Your Monthly Payments as Low as Possible
Knowing how to keep your monthly payments as low as possible is important when trying to figure out your perfect monthly budget for housing.
How COVID Has Affected FHA Loan Requirements
The COVID-19 pandemic has made some lenders make their requirements more stringent. See why...
What is the FHA Streamline Refinance Program?
FHA backed loans provide homebuyers with the unique opportunity to purchase a house with flexible terms, a lower interest rate, and...
Are FHA Loans Good For First Time Homebuyers?
Since 1934, The Federal Housing Administration has opened the door for millions of Americans to gain homeownership.
VA Loan Eligibility
For over 75 years, the U.S. Veterans Administration has helped pave the way for many active and former military personnel to achieve the goal of purchasing a home.
Common VA Home Loan Myths
Since the days of the Second World War, the Veterans Administration has given millions of military members the chance to realize the American dream of homeownership.
How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?
Whether you are a first-time house buyer, or looking to purchase your next home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage can be extremely helpful during the house-hunting process.
How Much House Can I Afford?
Conventional loans and USDA loans are two mortgage options available to you as a prospective home buyer. We’ll compare both so you can figure out which one is right for you.
What Credit Score Is Needed To Buy A House?
Deciding how much house you can afford is a complex matter. Check out our comprehensive guide to home affordability—and how much money you should spend on a home.