The happy path to securing a mortgage is, unfortunately, often accompanied by well-meaning advice that might not fit your situation. While the intentions behind such advice are good, it's essential to separate fact from fiction before making crucial decisions.

We're here to debunk some of the worst mortgage advice that often circulates.

Mortgage pre-approval is a waste of time

Why you might hear this: Early stages of home shopping might seem premature for a mortgage commitment.

Why it's poor advice: Although not an official guarantee, a pre-approval can save you from future headaches. Pre-approval not only prevents heartbreak over unaffordable homes but also provides an edge in competitive markets.

It's best to get a mortgage from

Did you know securing a home loan isn't a done deal until the final closing? It's true! Any financial changes between your application submission and the final signing can impact loan approval. To help you navigate this critical stage successfully, here's a friendly reminder of what to avoid after applying for your home loan.

Steer Clear of Depositing Large Sums of Cash 

The lenders assessing your loan application need to track the source of your money. Depositing large amounts of cash can be challenging to trace. To ensure transparency, talk with your mortgage professional to understand how to document such transactions.

Be Cautious with Big Purchases

It's not just home-related purchases that impact your loan eligibility. Any

Figuring out how much to spend on a house can be hard when you have a sea of houses to choose from. But no need to fret! As your local mortgage professional, Steadfast Mortgage can guide you through the quest for homeownership.

How to Use DTI to Calculate Home Affordability

First things first, let's talk about Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). DTI helps us mortgage professionals determine how much house you can afford. Think of it as a comparison between the money you earn and the money you spend. We're talking about your recurring expenses like housing costs, car payments, student loans, and credit card debt. After crunching the numbers, we'll get a DTI percentage.

Here's what that might look like. Let's say you earn $2,000 a month, and your

Homeowner's insurance is a crucial component of property ownership, providing financial protection in case of unexpected disasters or accidents. The right coverage can mean the difference between recovering from a devastating event and suffering immense financial hardship.

In this article, we will explore the factors you need to consider when determining how much homeowners insurance coverage you need.

Rebuilding Cost

One of the main considerations when determining your homeowner's insurance coverage is the cost of rebuilding your home if it is destroyed by a covered event such as a fire, hurricane, or tornado.

You can consult with a local contractor, use an online rebuilding cost calculator, or hire a professional appraiser to estimate

The idea that you should put 20% down on a home is one that has been the "gold standard" for years. After all, when you put 20% down, you avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, and you'll have a smaller loan amount with lower monthly payments. It's something that could save you a lot of money in the long run—but there's also a catch.

Not everyone can easily afford 20%, especially with home prices having risen at a record pace over the last few years. So, what should potential buyers do? Let's explore the pros and cons of putting 20% down on your next home purchase.

The Financial Benefits of Putting 20% Down

Let's start by talking about the financial benefits of putting 20% down. In most cases, if you can afford it, it makes good

Getting ready to buy a home can be stressful and complicated. With so many details and decisions to make, it's no wonder why potential buyers often feel overwhelmed. This spring season, don’t let the high demand of the residential real estate market cause you stress or prevent you from landing your dream home.

Here are 5 tips to help you navigate the buying process.

Tip #1: Work With Real Estate Agent Early On

A real estate agent will be an invaluable resource throughout every step of the buying process. They have quick access to listings before they hit major online listings, and they can also explain how the bidding process works.

Tip #2: Prioritize Your Needs

Before you start shopping, it’s important to know what your priorities

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio determines what mortgage you’re eligible for. So before getting pre-approved, your mortgage advisor will review your income and debts to help you understand where you currently stand. 

In this article, we’re going to look at what a debt-to-income ratio is and what to expect when you apply for a mortgage so that you’ll be prepared when you start househunting.

What is Debt-To-Income Ratio?

The debt-to-income ratio compares a borrower’s monthly debt payments to their monthly gross income. When someone applies for a home loan, lenders use the ratio to help determine their ability to repay monthly payments and accumulate additional debt. 

When you apply for a home loan, you’re required to meet maximum DTI

If lack of downpayment or funds for closing costs are the main hurdle to buying a home, a state or local downpayment assistance program may be the answer! Most states, counties, and cities offer assistance in the form of grants or no-interest loans to help home shoppers pay for these costs.

How Downpayment Assistance Programs Work

Assistance is usually funded by state housing finance agencies, cities, counties, or nonprofits, although some employers also have programs. 

The types of payment assistance vary by program, but they are most often geared toward first-time homebuyers and can be a:

• Grant. This is an outright gift of money.
• Zero-interest, forgivable loans. The loan is forgiven after a specified time, such as three years,

Getting mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps toward buying your dream home. Pre-approval boosts the likelihood that the seller will accept your offer and gives you a detailed quote for your homebuying budget. 

But homebuyers often hesitate because they think that pre-approval hurts their credit score. Will it? 

The truth is that it will temporarily lower your score, as is true whenever a creditor pulls your credit report. But the benefits of getting pre-approved outshine the slight dip in your score.

Does a Pre-approval Impact My Credit Score?

A pre-approval usually requires a hard credit inquiry, although a soft inquiry is all that is needed for a pre-qualification. A hard inquiry can lower a borrower's FICO score by about

Not all loan products are the same, nor are borrower situations. For first-time homebuyers, you’ll most likely hear about the most popular 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan, and there’s no arguing that it's a great loan product for most buyers but not in all circumstances.

However, other mortgage options could be better, depending on your financial circumstances and future plans.

The best way to know is to talk to a mortgage professional. But you can start getting familiar with your options with this article.

If you plan to stay for a long time

When you come across a home you fall in love with and plan to stay in the property forever, a fixed-rate loan is a good option. 

These loans can give you peace of mind since you pay the same