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Clear answers for important mortgage decisions.
Start with plain-language guidance, then talk with a licensed mortgage professional about the programs and tradeoffs that apply to your transaction.
DSCR loans for real-estate investors
Understand how DSCR loans evaluate eligible rental-property cash flow, what lenders review, and when an investor loan may fit.
Read the guide →Investor financing guideDSCR loan requirements investors should understand
Review common DSCR loan requirements, including property cash flow, rental-income documentation, credit, reserves, entity structure and short-term rental considerations.
Read the guide →Self-employed mortgage guideBank-statement loans for self-employed borrowers
Learn how eligible bank-statement mortgage programs evaluate self-employed income and what borrowers should prepare before applying.
Read the guide →Self-employed mortgage guideBank-statement loan requirements for self-employed borrowers
Review common bank-statement loan requirements, including deposit history, business ownership, expense treatment, credit, reserves and property eligibility.
Read the guide →Home-equity guideHELOC vs. cash-out refinance
Compare a HELOC, home-equity loan and cash-out refinance, including payment structure, rate considerations and common use cases.
Read the guide →Home-equity guideHELOC and home-equity loan requirements
Understand common HELOC and home-equity loan requirements, including equity, combined loan-to-value, credit, income, lien position and property documentation.
Read the guide →Construction financing guideHow construction loans work
Learn how ground-up construction and construction-to-permanent loans handle budgets, draws, builders, appraisals and conversion to long-term financing.
Read the guide →Construction financing guideConstruction loan requirements for custom homes and renovations
Review common construction loan requirements, including plans, permits, builder approval, budgets, appraisals, draw schedules and borrower documentation.
Read the guide →Homebuyer financing guideFirst-time homebuyer loan options
Compare conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and eligible down-payment-assistance options for first-time homebuyers.
Read the guide →Mortgage comparison guideFHA vs. conventional loans
Compare FHA and conventional mortgages, including credit, down payment, mortgage insurance, property and appraisal considerations.
Read the guide →High-balance financing guideJumbo mortgage loan options
Understand jumbo mortgage qualification, including income, assets, reserves, appraisal and documentation for higher-value homes.
Read the guide →Mortgage refinance guideWhen does refinancing a mortgage make sense?
Learn how to evaluate a mortgage refinance using payment savings, closing costs, break-even timing, loan term and equity goals.
Read the guide →Homebuyer assistance guideHow down-payment assistance programs work
Understand how eligible down-payment and closing-cost assistance programs interact with a first mortgage, repayment and borrower requirements.
Read the guide →Homebuying preparation guideHow the mortgage preapproval process works
Learn what lenders review for a mortgage preapproval, which documents to prepare and how to strengthen an offer before shopping for a home.
Read the guide →VA mortgage guideVA home loans for eligible military borrowers
Understand VA purchase and refinance benefits, eligibility, funding fees, appraisal considerations and the steps toward a VA loan.
Read the guide →Real-estate investor guideInvestment-property loan options
Compare conventional investment-property, DSCR, portfolio and short-term financing options for eligible rental and business-purpose transactions.
Read the guide →Real-estate investor guideInvestment-property refinance and cash-out options
Review investment-property refinance and cash-out options, including DSCR, conventional investor, portfolio and business-purpose structures for eligible rental properties.
Read the guide →Short-term rental financing guideShort-term rental DSCR loans and requirements
Learn how eligible short-term rental DSCR loans may evaluate property income, market data, operating history, reserves, property rules and investor documentation.
Read the guide →Alternative-documentation guide1099 mortgage loans for independent contractors
Learn how eligible 1099 mortgage programs may evaluate contractor income, business expenses, income history, deposits, credit, assets and property requirements.
Read the guide →Asset-based mortgage guideAsset-depletion and asset-qualifier mortgages
Understand how eligible asset-depletion and asset-qualifier mortgage programs may evaluate liquid assets, reserves, income, occupancy and property requirements.
Read the guide →Alternative-documentation guideProfit-and-loss mortgage loans for self-employed borrowers
Learn how eligible P&L mortgage programs may evaluate self-employed income using prepared profit-and-loss statements, business records, credit, assets and property requirements.
Read the guide →Home-equity guideClosed-end second mortgages and bank-statement HELOCs
Compare closed-end second mortgages, bank-statement HELOCs and cash-out refinancing for eligible homeowners, self-employed borrowers and investors.
Read the guide →Specialty property guideNon-warrantable condo and condotel loan options
Understand how financing may work for eligible non-warrantable condos, condotels and other condo projects that do not fit standard agency project rules.
Read the guide →Renovation financing guideRenovation loans and FHA 203(k) financing
Compare renovation loan options, including FHA 203(k), conventional renovation paths, construction financing and home-equity strategies for eligible improvements.
Read the guide →Specialty borrower guideITIN mortgage loan options
Understand how eligible ITIN mortgage programs may work for borrowers without a Social Security number, including documentation, credit, down payment, property and residency considerations.
Read the guide →Investor financing guideForeign-national mortgage loan options
Learn how eligible foreign-national mortgage programs may review non-U.S. borrowers, investment properties, assets, identification, reserves and transaction purpose.
Read the guide →Property financing guideManufactured-home loan options
Review financing considerations for eligible manufactured homes, including FHA Title I, FHA-insured options, conventional paths, land, foundation, title and occupancy requirements.
Read the guide →Investor financing guideSmall-balance multifamily and mixed-use loan options
Learn how eligible small-balance multifamily and mixed-use property loans may be reviewed, including DSCR, leases, commercial space, reserves and property documentation.
Read the guide →Real-estate investor guideFix-and-flip and bridge loan requirements
Learn how eligible fix-and-flip and bridge lenders may review acquisition cost, renovation budget, after-repair value, experience, liquidity, draws and exit strategy.
Read the guide →Mortgage cost guideHow to compare mortgage rates, points and fees
Learn how to compare mortgage interest rates, discount points, lender fees, cash to close and total borrowing cost before choosing a loan.
Read the guide →Homebuying preparation guideWhat to do before touring homes
Use this mortgage-readiness checklist to set a comfortable housing budget, estimate cash to close and prepare for preapproval before touring homes.
Read the guide →Mortgage closing guideWhy communication matters during the mortgage process
Understand the key mortgage milestones, common documentation requests and communication practices that help borrowers and agents prepare for closing.
Read the guide →Self-employed borrower guideMortgage documentation for self-employed borrowers
Learn what self-employed borrowers can prepare before applying, including income, bank statements, business records, assets and property information.
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Program availability depends on the borrower, property, loan purpose and jurisdiction. Our team can help compare possible paths.
Educational information only. This content is not individualized financial, tax or legal advice, a commitment to lend, or a statement that any borrower or property will qualify. Programs and requirements can change without notice.