Blog
What Are Mortgage Points? (And How They Differ from Mortgage Rate Buydowns)
Homebuyers may hear about paying points, temporary buydowns, and lender credits, but the differences can be confusing. Each tool affects...
12-min read How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof?
Your home’s roof is your frontline protection against the elements and one of the most expensive parts of your home...
9-min read How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Repair a Furnace?
When we built our home in northern Indiana in 2023, I paid $6,200 for a 95% AFUE gas furnace. It...
12-min read Mortgage Rate Lock: What Is It, and Should You Lock Your Rate Today?
A mortgage rate lock is basically your lender saying, “This is your interest rate, and we’ll hold it for you...
7-min read New American Funding Review: Excellent Mortgage Rates, Thousands of Happy Borrowers
About New American Funding mortgages New American Funding is a direct mortgage lender and servicer founded in 2003 by Rick...
11-min read 27 Mortgage Costs and Lender Fees That Take New Homeowners By Surprise
A home is the largest purchase you’ll ever make, and that can be scary. You have good reason for it,...
9-min read Can’t Afford Down Payment? 7 Steps to Buy Your Next Home Sooner
If you grew up hearing that you need a 20% down payment to buy a house, you may think you...
10-min read Are Home Equity Investments Loans? HEI Legislation, Regulation, and What the CFPB Say
If you’re a homeowner, your home’s value has probably increased over the past few years. That means you have an...
7-min read Americans Spent a Record Amount on Black Friday, So Why Are Consumers Uneasy?
Black Friday 2025 broke every record. Americans spent $11.8 billion online in a single day, more than any other Black...
7-min read 9 Expert Tips New Mortgage Borrowers Must Know Before Applying
Buying a home for the first time isn’t easy. I know; I’ve actually been a first-time homebuyer … twice. That’s...
11-min read