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!

Woman professional explaining documents to couple at table
June 20, 2024

Decoding Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Closing Costs: A Comprehensive Guide

Closing costs are just one more step closer to the completion of your mortgage process. And while these fees are different for loans backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), they’re not inherently more complicated than traditional

VA Loans
Recent
Couple holding keys to new home inside kitchen
June 18, 2024

Rent vs. Mortgage: What You Should Know About These Costs

If you’re part of the 34 percent of the United States population who rents a home, you already know how the payment process generally works: You pay a landlord or rental company on a monthly basis to live in their

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Woman holding paint roller looking proud of freshly painted room
June 12, 2024

To DIY or Not to DIY: What to Consider for Home Renovations

One of the biggest perks to being a homeowner is doing literally whatever you want with it. Whether it’s a structural necessity or an aesthetic preference, you can renovate and update your home on your own terms. The biggest question

Lifestyle & Homeownership
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
Lifestyle & Homeownership
Couple holding keys to new home inside kitchen
June 18, 2024

Rent vs. Mortgage: What You Should Know About These Costs

If you’re part of the 34 percent of the United States population who rents a home, you already know how the payment process generally works: You pay a landlord or rental company on a monthly basis to live in their

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Woman holding paint roller looking proud of freshly painted room
June 12, 2024

To DIY or Not to DIY: What to Consider for Home Renovations

One of the biggest perks to being a homeowner is doing literally whatever you want with it. Whether it’s a structural necessity or an aesthetic preference, you can renovate and update your home on your own terms. The biggest question

Lifestyle & Homeownership
Couple happily discussing details with loan officer
May 14, 2024

How (And When) To Switch Your Mortgage Lender

With so many competing mortgage lenders out there, savvy consumers can shop around from lender to lender in search of terms that they prefer. For example, you may have already heard that changing your mortgage lender can help secure a

Lifestyle & Homeownership
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
March 7, 2024

Is it really a rainy day? How to know when to use your safety net fund

Building a nest egg is definitely something to be proud of. When you’ve been carefully avoiding exuberant spending and putting away extra cash in your emergency fund, it can be hard to know when the right time to spend it

Banking & Personal Loans
Mortgage Loans
Loan officer explaining financial documents to couple
June 4, 2024

Why Buy? A Guide for the Hesitant First-Time Homebuyer

For many, owning a home is still at the center of the quintessential American Dream. Not only can you boast accomplishment and pride, being a homeowner gives you a sense of community and stability. However, that’s not all—A home you

Mortgage Loans
Couple looking over financial documents together on the couch
May 7, 2024

How to Budget for Home Purchase Costs: A Home Buyer’s Guide

You may have heard owning your home can be an entirely different challenge than renting. Savvy consumers know that the journey to homeownership begins with discipline and careful budgeting to buy a home so you can save up to achieve

Mortgage Loans
Couple smiling while reviewing documents with professional
March 13, 2024

What is a Jumbo Loan, and What Should You Know About Them?

If you are thinking about buying a home, particularly if you are a high-income-earner or if you live in an area with a high cost of living (HCOL), you may have heard that your peers needed to take out a

Mortgage Loans
Construction
Wooden structure of house being built

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
Hand holding up image of new home in front of an open area of land
March 11, 2024

Building a Home – What to Know When You Start Shopping for Land

Ready to start “breaking ground” on your search for a lot on which to build a home for you and your loved ones? Every year, many homeowners choose to build a home instead of buying for all sorts of reasons,

Construction
Man reviewing documents at desk
January 29, 2024

ITIN Construction Approval Tips: How You Can Boost Your Chances

If you are a prospective borrower without a social security number (SSN), you may find yourself applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN construction loan when you try to build a home. This specialty home loan program is for

Construction
VA Loans
Woman professional explaining documents to couple at table
June 20, 2024

Decoding Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Closing Costs: A Comprehensive Guide

Closing costs are just one more step closer to the completion of your mortgage process. And while these fees are different for loans backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), they’re not inherently more complicated than traditional

VA Loans
Man and woman going over documents at kitchen table
June 6, 2024

Debunking the 7 Most Common VA Home Loan Myths

If you or your spouse are part of the United States Military, you might not know it, but you may have access to a powerful resource to help you become homeowners. A loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans

VA Loans
Man reviewing his financial documents in home office
May 10, 2024

Joint VA Loan: What It Is, and How to Make it Work for Your Family

Home loans backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be an excellent option for home financing available to borrowers who qualify. Many VA loan borrowers opt for VA loans for many reasons, including the opportunity to

VA Loans