Industry News

The current trend in the mortgage industry is for banks and lenders to consolidate operations and service offsite. All processing may be handled in one location, all underwriting in another, etc. This can delay loan approval, put your loan at risk of getting lost in the shuffle, and be all-around frustrating.

Generation Z. The youngest of the generations just entering adulthood, figuring stuff out. Some of us really get it, and know, like Whitney Houston did way back when, that they’re the future.

Interest rates haven’t been this low since January 2018! At the end of March, mortgage rates had the largest one-week drop in 10 years.

The landscape of lending and working with a Loan Officer has altered significantly since the Internet became the standard for worldwide communication.

Fed raises interest rates and signals two more increases this year. Now is a great time to lock in your mortgage rate before rates increase again.

HomeReady® income limits will increase in most areas on June 23, 2018! HomeReady® is for low- to moderate-income borrowers, so the increased limits will help more borrowers qualify. Income limits will increase by about 5% in many areas.

Property inspectors do a great job on home inspections (discuss the process with your real estate agent). However, it is always a good idea to check as many things as possible on your own.

On July 29, 2018, Freddie Mac will launch HomeOne℠, which will have the same benefits and features as our current Fannie Mae Conventional 3% Down Loan, as shown in the table below.

Buyer and Seller Charges by Loan Type

Effective for VA Loans locked on or after March 7, 2018, Academy’s minimum required FICO credit score will be reduced from 600 to 580 for loans that are approved through the automatic underwriting system (AUS).

Some home equity loan interest deductions on federal tax returns are now a thing of the past. But Academy Mortgage offers a solution that may still provide a tax benefit.

There are many programs available that may help you get the financing you need to purchase a home. Here is our quick and easy guide to some of the more popular programs!

The new tax law, effective January 1, 2018, impacts some important benefits of homeownership.

Good news! FHFA, FHA, and VA loan limits will increase in 2018.

Here are five questions to ask yourself before you apply for a mortgage and start packing.

Employing certain strategies can make buying your first home much easier.

Square footage is a complicated number, and it’s one that confuses many homebuyers. Here are answers to your most pressing square footage questions.

Here are some concerns sellers have about FHA loans, and the truth behind them.

There are several pieces of information underwriters review before deciding what rate is appropriate. The good news is, it’s all information you can find and review, too.

If you find yourself considering buying a home without seeing it in person first, here are some tips to help you through the process.