Tips, trends and insights for homebuyers like you.
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What Is an Appraisal Gap? Costs, Examples & Your Options
An appraisal gap is the difference between what you agree to pay for a home and what it’s appraised for. If you offer $500,000 but the home appraises at $485,000, that’s a $15,000 appraisal gap. Because mortgage lenders generally calculate your loan-to-value ratio using the lower value, a low appraisal can affect your mortgage costs… Read more
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2025 mortgage interest rate forecast
See how Tomo Mortgage’s head of Capital Markets breaks down the latest mortgage rate forecasts, predictions, and outlooks for 2025. Read more
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Cash to Close vs. Closing Costs: What’s the Difference?
Key Takeaways Closing costs Cash to close What it covers Lender fees, third-party services, taxes, prepaid expenses and initial escrow deposits, minus lender credits Closing costs… Read more
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Can You Buy a House on Disability?
Yes, you can buy a house using disability income. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), VA disability compensation and long-term disability insurance can… Read more
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Can Green Card Holders Buy a House?
Key takeaways Yes, green card holders can buy homes in the United States. You don’t need U.S. citizenship to own a home, and lawful permanent residents… Read more
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Can You Buy a House Without Your Spouse?
Yes. You can get a mortgage without your spouse as a borrower if you qualify on your own. Applying alone may help if your spouse has… Read more
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Can You Get a Mortgage on Social Security Income?
Yes, you may qualify for a mortgage using Social Security income, even without a paycheck. Eligibility depends on how much income you receive, your existing debts,… Read more
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Asset Depletion Mortgage: How to Qualify Using Savings and Investments
Key takeaways What is an asset depletion mortgage? An asset depletion mortgage lets you qualify for a home loan using savings, retirement accounts or investments instead… Read more
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H-1B Visa Mortgage: What You Need to Qualify in 2026
Key takeaways Can you get a mortgage on an H-1B visa? Yes. Conventional loans are generally the clearest option. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac permit mortgages… Read more
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SoFi vs. Rocket Mortgage
Key takeaways The bottom line: SoFi is worth considering if you qualify for its member discounts, want to keep your mortgage and banking with one company,… Read more
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What Is a 2-1 Buydown? Payments, Cost, and When It’s Worth It
Key takeaways How a 2-1 buydown works A 2-1 buydown temporarily lowers the principal and interest portion of your mortgage payment for two years. Your payment… Read more
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Can You Get a Mortgage While on Maternity Leave? How U.S. Lenders Count Your Income
Yes. You can apply for a mortgage while pregnant or on maternity leave. Federal law protects you from being denied a loan simply because you’re pregnant… Read more
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Temporary Buydown: How It Works, What It Costs, and What Happens When It Ends
Key Takeaways: How does a temporary buydown work? A temporary buydown lowers your mortgage payment for a set period, usually the first one to three years.… Read more
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Can You Use Rental Income to Qualify for a Mortgage?
Yes, you can use rental income to qualify for a mortgage, but lenders won’t necessarily count every dollar you collect. For new or anticipated rental income,… Read more