See my research, posts, and articles on mortgages, including loan options, refinancing, and repayment strategies. Click the link to explore key insights!
A $120 million home-sale commission settlement is taking claims now. I’ll walk you through who qualifies, the deadline, and why filing costs nothing.
Prepayment penalties aren’t extinct, but federal law banned them on federal student loans and most mortgages. Here’s how to check your own loan.
Just got a foreclosure notice? Here’s how to stop it — loss mitigation, reinstatement, the appeal window, and the bankruptcy stay that halts a sale instantly.
Supreme Court won’t hear Nationwide Biweekly Administration’s appeal of a $7.93M CFPB penalty for deceptive mortgage payment marketing that cost consumers more than it saved.
Select Portfolio Servicing faces multiple lawsuits alleging payment refusals, false credit reporting, illegal foreclosure threats, and improper COVID forbearance demands. Here’s what your rights are under RESPA and FCRA — and how to fight back.
Johns Hopkins study confirms what many experience: medical debt cascades into rent and mortgage problems. Here’s how to break the cycle before it’s too late.
Steve Rhode tackles the most common question he gets: rent or buy? Using real 2022 data, he explains why buyers in markets like Austin need 6+ years to…
Quick Answer: An 80-year-old widow with a $57,000 IRA and $60,000 mortgage should consider both emotional and mathematical factors when deciding whether to cash out retirement funds for mortgage payoff. The decision depends on whether she has other accessible assets for emergencies and if the emotional benefit of being mortgage-free outweighs potential investment returns.Question:Dear Steve,Hi, …
Quick Answer: A non-homestead mortgage typically means the property isn’t classified as a primary residence, often resulting in higher interest rates like the 9.9% mentioned. The concrete floors may cause lenders to classify the structure as commercial rather than residential, requiring specialized financing through a mortgage broker who represents multiple lenders.Question:Dear Steve,The loan was modified …
Quick Answer: When buying a home, avoid opening new credit cards or closing existing accounts during the mortgage process, as this can lower credit scores and complicate loan approval. Homeowners can strategically use rewards credit cards for major purchases like appliances after closing, but maintaining stable credit is crucial during the 120-day mortgage qualification period.Six …
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