Mortgage News
The Highest Mortgage Rates in Three Years: Here’s My Take
MBA's 30-year rate hit 7.49%, the highest since November 2023. Here's what it means for your payment, DTI, rate locks…
Homeowner Learning Center
Independent, plain-English guidance on mortgage lending, underwriting, appraisals, and the home-financing process.
Mortgage News
<h1>FHA Is Changing the Mortgage Credit Score Playbook in 2027</h1>
FHA is adding VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T to its mortgage underwriting system beginning January 1, 2027. Here's what…
Mortgage News
Mortgage Rates Near 7%: How Higher Rates Affect DTI, Buying Power and Loan Approval
Mortgage rates near 7% do more than increase monthly payments. They can raise debt-to-income ratios, shrink buying power and change…
Underwriter Chronicles
Six Days to Closing. Please Send Us Something From 2019
The file is almost done—until underwriting asks for paperwork from years ago.
Underwriter Chronicles
Approved for the Mortgage, Then Laid Off the Next Day
Everything looks ready to close—then the borrower loses the job supporting the mortgage approval.
Underwriter Chronicles
My Employer Was Real. The Paycheck Just Had the Wrong Name
The borrower has a real job—but the company name on the paycheck sends underwriting in the wrong direction.
Underwriter Chronicles
The $8,200 Deposit That Appeared During Underwriting
An unexpected government deposit hits the borrower’s account while the mortgage is still being underwritten.
Underwriter Chronicles
The Gift Was Fine Until the Loan Program Changed
The money didn’t change. The mortgage program did—and suddenly the gift needed another look.
Underwriter Chronicles
One Short Paycheck Put the Closing in Jeopardy
A single pay period with fewer hours suddenly turns into a major underwriting question just before closing.
Underwriter Chronicles
Clear to Close at the Eleventh Hour
With serious earnest money on the line, a complicated file comes down to the final hours before closing.