Straight talk
Plain guides to the parts of the mortgage process that cause the most confusion. These stay current — start here if you are working out where you stand.
What pre-approval really means
A pre-qualification is an opinion. A pre-approval is a reviewed file. The difference matters to sellers, and it matters to you.
Down payment help in California
State and county assistance programs change often and run out of funding. What is generally available, who is eligible, and how it stacks with an FHA loan.
Rebuilding after a slow year
Layoffs, medical bills and a rough stretch on the credit report do not automatically disqualify you. What underwriters actually look at, and how long the clock runs.
Using overtime as qualifying income
Most lenders want a two-year history before overtime counts. What that means if you are newer to the trade, and how union scale and per diem are treated differently.