Learning Center

Buying a home is a big decision and we know you have questions.

Whether you are thinking about buying your first home, refinancing your current property, buying a second home, or wondering how to begin the process of getting a VA home loan, we are here to provide answers. You can find answers to anything home related: learn about finances, mortgages, credit score, tips about moving, and more!

Happy learning!

Couple discussing with realtor about house they are touring
October 3, 2024

Weather and Homebuying: How Rain or Shine May Affect Your Decisions

While reactions to specific weather conditions can differ between individuals, there is some consensus about its effect on mood and energy. Have you ever heard of rainy-day blues or longed for the sunshine during the shorter days in winter? There’s

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Recent
Couple sitting on couch and smiling while discussing over laptop
October 1, 2024

Unlock Your Home’s Potential Value: A Guide to Home Equity Loans

As a homeowner, you may know that your mortgage payments aren’t just going into the ether. They can help you build equity.   Home equity is your home’s current market value minus any liens, like your mortgage. It’s essentially how much

Mortgage Loans
Couple discussing over laptop while sitting together on couch
September 27, 2024

Why a VA IRRRL Could Be a Fitting Refinance Option

Wondering what your refinancing options are? As you’re doing your research, you may find yourself in information overload. However, if you already have a home loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may find that sticking

VA Loans
Woman sitting on couch while looking at laptop
September 25, 2024

A Beginner’s Guide to a VA IRRRL or VA Streamline Refinance

The opportunity to refinance your mortgage would ideally come with a handful of positives. But if you’re a qualified military borrower who already has a home loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may be able

VA Loans
Lifestyle & Homeownership
Couple discussing with realtor about house they are touring
October 3, 2024

Weather and Homebuying: How Rain or Shine May Affect Your Decisions

While reactions to specific weather conditions can differ between individuals, there is some consensus about its effect on mood and energy. Have you ever heard of rainy-day blues or longed for the sunshine during the shorter days in winter? There’s

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Group of men and woman dressed in business attire while smiling
September 23, 2024

Real Estate Agent vs. REALTOR® vs. Real Estate Broker: What’s the Difference?

As you’re getting ready to buy a home, you may hear some real estate titles and jargon thrown around. Do you want to work with an agent? Would you like a referral for a REALTOR®? Is there a broker in

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Man and woman couple gardening in yard with their two kids
September 11, 2024

Landscaping for Beginners

Many homeowners can get so caught up in decorating and designing the interior of their home that they may forget their home has an exterior as well. Landscaping is still a key part to making your home your own: It’s

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Banking & Personal Loans
Man and woman couple going over documents with advisor while sitting at a table
September 5, 2024

Can a Certificate of Deposit Account Help You Save for Your Favorite Team’s Season Tickets?

Sports fans: Are you thinking of repping your team in person all season round? It may be time to invest in those season tickets. But if you don’t have the extra money hanging around to buy them, it could be

Banking & Personal Loans
Parent and child holding piggy bank together
June 10, 2024

How to Prepare Your Child for Their Very Own Checking Account

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to start planning for your child’s financial future as early as possible. No age is too young to teach them about financial responsibility. And you can do so in simple everyday living. However, you

Banking & Personal Loans
Man and woman reviewing financial documents
April 5, 2024

What is Debt Consolidation and Should You Consider It?

Have you ever found yourself surrounded by a stack of bills and credit card statements, wondering, “How did I get here, and more importantly, how can I find a way out?” If this scenario feels all too familiar, you’re not

Banking & Personal Loans
Mortgage Loans
Couple sitting on couch and smiling while discussing over laptop
October 1, 2024

Unlock Your Home’s Potential Value: A Guide to Home Equity Loans

As a homeowner, you may know that your mortgage payments aren’t just going into the ether. They can help you build equity.   Home equity is your home’s current market value minus any liens, like your mortgage. It’s essentially how much

Mortgage Loans
Couple reviewing documents with advisor
September 17, 2024

Your Guide to Understanding Loan Documents

When you’re getting a mortgage, there may be many documents you’ll receive throughout the process. While this can get confusing and disorganized, it’s imperative you have an idea of what each document says, how it applies to your mortgage and

Mortgage Loans
Two sisters running through the doorway of their new home with their mom and dad
July 3, 2024

Affording Your First Home: How to Become a Successful Homebuyer

Taking the first step on the homebuying process should be exciting—You can make your home your own in a neighborhood you love while fostering community-living. But starting this journey also comes with necessary extensive research and education.  Understanding what mortgage

Mortgage Loans
Construction
Man and woman couple shaking hands with lead builder as workers work on constructing home
July 25, 2024

Navigating the Market: When to Consider a Construction Loan

As the housing market goes through ebbs and flows, there will eventually be periods in which homes just aren’t being listed in abundance. If you’re a homebuyer, this can be frustrating, disappointing and, ultimately, feel hopeless. However, even when housing

Construction
Man and woman copule smiling while reviewing blueprints with builder
July 9, 2024

Construction Loans: Process, Timeline and Borrower Requirements

Searching for your dream home can take a lot of patience and compromise, but what if you discover that it just doesn’t exist yet? When you build your home, you have more control over as much as possible, down to

Construction
Wooden structure of house being built
March 13, 2024

What are Jumbo Construction Loans, and Who Are They For?

When you’re on the quest for your ideal next home, constructing a new house to your specifications can be a very attractive idea. If you are interested in building a home to suit your high-income lifestyle, or even looking to

Construction
VA Loans
Couple discussing over laptop while sitting together on couch
September 27, 2024

Why a VA IRRRL Could Be a Fitting Refinance Option

Wondering what your refinancing options are? As you’re doing your research, you may find yourself in information overload. However, if you already have a home loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may find that sticking

VA Loans
Woman sitting on couch while looking at laptop
September 25, 2024

A Beginner’s Guide to a VA IRRRL or VA Streamline Refinance

The opportunity to refinance your mortgage would ideally come with a handful of positives. But if you’re a qualified military borrower who already has a home loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may be able

VA Loans
Couple reviewing documents on laptop while sitting at table
September 19, 2024

Do VA IRRRLs Come with Closing Costs?

As a military borrower with a loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may be wondering what a VA refinance entails. If you opt for a VA interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL), also known as

VA Loans