Your Questions Answered

A mortgage is simply a loan that helps you buy a home. You make monthly payments, and once the loan is paid off, the home is 100% yours. 

There are several options depending on your needs:

• FHA Loan – Low down payment, flexible credit, great for first-time buyers.
• VA Loan – For veterans and active military, with no down payment required.
• Conventional Loan – The most common type, usually for borrowers with solid credit.
• USDA Loan – Zero down payment if you’re buying in eligible rural areas.
• Jumbo Loan – For high-priced homes that exceed standard loan limits.
• Construction Loan – Helps you finance building a brand-new home.
• Hard Money Loan – Fast, short-term financing, often used by investors.
• Non-QM Loan – Flexible options for self-employed or non-traditional income borrowers.

It depends on the loan! FHA loans can start at just 3.5%, conventional loans at 3–5%, and VA or USDA loans often require no down payment. Jumbo and construction loans usually need more. 

Your credit score, income, loan type, down payment, and even the current market all play a part in what rate you’ll get. 

Pre-qualification is a quick estimate of what you might qualify for.

Pre-approval is more official — your lender verifies your financials and gives you a letter to show sellers you’re serious.

These are the fees to finalize your home purchase — things like appraisal, title work, and lender fees. Plan for about 2–5% of the home’s price. 

Yes! Some programs (like FHA or Non-QM) are designed to help buyers with lower credit scores or unique income situations. 

Most loans close in about 30–45 days. Some loans, like hard money, can be much faster.

In most cases, yes! Many loans don’t have prepayment penalties anymore — which means you can pay it off faster if you want.

That’s what we’re here for! Every buyer’s situation is different, so we’ll walk you through your options and help you choose the loan that fits your goals.