Mortgage news, tips and tools – Page 9
The PennyMac Mortgage Blog is where you'll find unbiased, useful info to help save you money, time and peace of mind during the mortgage process. If you have a mortgage or are about to get one, we think you'll find info here you can't always get elsewhere.
02.01.18
Buying a new home is one of the most important and exciting decisions of your life, but it can also be one of the most challenging—especially if you don’t know what to expect during the mortgage process. Understanding how home loans work and getting prepared will set you up for success in the home buying process.
Read more about Explaining the Home Loan Process Part 1: Getting Prepped
02.01.18
During the mortgage underwriting stage, your application moves from the desk of the loan processor to the mortgage underwriter. The mortgage underwriter will ensure your financial profile matches your lender’s guidelines and loan criteria and he or she will ultimately make the final decision: to approve or deny your loan request.
Read more about Explaining the Loan Process Part 4: Mortgage Underwriting
01.30.18
PennyMac issues the Year End Statement (also known as a Form 1098 or annual tax statement) annually to mortgagors for income tax reporting purposes. This statement includes the total amounts for interest paid and property taxes paid from your escrow account (if you have one) for the entire year.
Read more about Information on Your Year End Mortgage Tax Statements
01.24.18
Purchasing a new home is a huge undertaking. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’ve navigated the waters before, the process can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to go it alone. A real estate agent—specifically a buyer’s agent—will help with every step of the of the homebuying process.
Read more about The Real Estate Buyer’s Agent: Do I Need One?
01.24.18
The holiday season is a time of joy for many—but with extra people and extra responsibilities around the home, it’s easy to overlook certain safety measures. With the holiday season behind us, start thinking about how you can “holiday-proof” your home for the next get-together, including everything from proper food preparation to safe package deliveries!
01.24.18
Many potential homebuyers and investors overlook bank-owned properties, but for buyers who take the time to understand the REO process, these homes can be a significant opportunity.
Read more about The REO Guide: 10 Steps to Buying a Bank-Owned Home
01.10.18
A new year, a new…chair? While we might tease trendwatchers for habitually snapping up the latest and greatest in furnishings, it’s normal to find new objects, colors and patterns interesting.
01.10.18
Buying a home is an exciting milestone in anyone’s life. So exciting, in fact, that many people rush through the process, intent on moving into their dream home as soon as possible. They often forget that they’re not just buying a home—they’re buying all the home’s problems too.
01.04.18
There are plenty of online tools to help you determine what your home is worth, but not all tools are created equal. Choosing the right Automated Valuation Model (AVM)—and using it in tandem with a true appraisal—is the best way to educate yourself about the value of your home.
Read more about Online Home Value Tools vs Appraisals: What’s the Difference?