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Credit score is a very important metric for virtually all of us, and particularly within the realm of mortgage loans and mortgage refinancing. A common question we receive down these lines from current mortgage owners considering a refinance of their home loan: Can doing so negatively impact their credit score? At Integrity First Lending, we're […]

There are a few components of any homebuying situation that are relatively well-known, and one of these is the down payment. Referring to the amount of money that the homebuyer is putting toward the purchase price of their home in a lump sum at the closing of their purchase, down payments will typically be the […]

One of the single most exciting points in any homebuying journey, at least for most buyers, comes when they receive word that a seller has accepted their home offer. This is a major moment in the process, one that moves you from the searching phase to the buying phase quickly -- and while you should […]

You'll often hear homeownership referred to as a form of investment, and one of the positive sides of this theme is the common ability for homeowners who have built up equity in their home to tap into said equity for their own purposes. What are some of the reasons you might consider doing this, and […]

There are a few suggestions you may receive from your mortgage lender, realtor or other advisors during the homebuying process, and several of these will be in the financial realm. One that you may already be aware of, as it's common advice for new homebuyers: It's best to avoid making any major, life-altering purchases during […]

One term you've likely heard a number of times in the mortgage world, but may not totally understand how to take advantage of, is equity in a home. Equity is the difference between what you owe on the mortgage and the value of your home on the market, and high equity allows you to do […]

There are a few processes that are typically carried out during a home sale, but may be waived in certain situations depending on the needs of both buyers and sellers. A good example here is the home appraisal, or third party valuation of the home -- this is almost always part of the home purchase […]

There are a few terms you never want to be hearing in the mortgage or any other loan world, and one of these is "predatory." A predatory lender is an individual or entity that are out to pull the wool over your eyes and make a quick buck by taking advantage of unsuspecting borrowers, and […]

There are a number of elements that homebuyers will be thinking about during this process, including some important financial themes for purchasing and owning a home. One of these that must be considered, and which it pays to know, is your home's property tax. When you work with the pros at Integrity First Lending, we'll […]

There are a few things first-time homebuyers will have to learn about as they enter the mortgage and homebuying market, and one of these that becomes important once you find a home you want to buy is the realm of contingencies. Referring to various conditions found in the contract you sign with the seller of […]