Tips, trends and insights for homebuyers like you.
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Gift of Equity: How It Works When Buying a Home From Family
A gift of equity lets a family member sell you their home for less than it’s worth and use the difference to help cover your down payment or closing costs. Instead of giving you cash, the seller gives up part of the home’s value. Key takeaways Mortgage-program rules below are as of November 2026. Individual… 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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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… 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