Resource Library Resources > All Articles Homebuying 101Home ImprovementMoney MattersThe Morty ReportGuides Temperatures are cooling and the housing market is heating upSeptember 13, 2024The Morty ReportRead more Summer’s heating up for HELOCsJune 28, 2024The Morty ReportRead more Rates are down, outlooks are upMay 20, 2024The Morty ReportRead moreThe market is abuzz about rate cutsApril 16, 2024The Morty ReportRead moreSpringing into action: improving interests rates and moreMarch 12, 2024The Morty ReportRead more More homes, more buyersSeptember 18, 2023The Morty ReportRead more What’s ahead for the Fall August 21, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Sellers and “golden handcuffs”August 1, 2023The Morty ReportRead moreStep-by-Step Guide to Financing for Self-Employed BuyersJuly 14, 2023Guides,Money MattersRead moreInflation improving, rates droppingJuly 14, 2023The Morty ReportRead moreHow Soon Can You Refinance Your Mortgage?June 30, 2023Homebuying 101Read more Demand is up as rates dipJune 17, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Back to NovemberJune 6, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Spring buyers look to new constructionMay 22, 2023The Morty ReportRead more It’s never too early to get startedMay 10, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Will April price drops bring May buyersApril 24, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Rates remain stable as low inventory drives the spring marketApril 10, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Buyers are back in the marketMarch 26, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Strong jobs report, slowing home price growthMarch 12, 2023The Morty ReportRead more A look at the current mortgage marketFebruary 24, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Mortgage rate fluctuation return, but buyers remain activeFebruary 10, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Mortgage applications jump as buyer optimism returnsJanuary 27, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Positive signs in the housing market as rates dipJanuary 18, 2023The Morty ReportRead more Looking ahead to 2023December 29, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Lower rates at last?December 16, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Where are home prices headed?December 1, 2022The Morty ReportRead more The Fed’s rate hike: a guide for homebuyersNovember 4, 2022The Morty ReportRead more What to expect with rates as a volatile market adjustsSeptember 30, 2022The Morty ReportRead more The Fed’s latest rate hike: here’s what homebuyers need to knowSeptember 27, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Does homebuying have ‘seasons?’September 26, 2022The Morty ReportRead more The lowdown on low-down payment mortgagesSeptember 19, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Getting it right the first time: simple steps for first-time homebuyersSeptember 12, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Are home prices *really* falling?September 2, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Ready, set, prep: first steps before you buy a homeAugust 24, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Will cooling inflation heat up the housing market?August 12, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreWhat is the difference between mortgage brokers and lenders?August 9, 2022Homebuying 101Read more What the ‘new normal’ means for buyersAugust 8, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreHow Does Rent-to-Own Work?August 1, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more The upside to higher ratesAugust 1, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreWhat are the Most Common Mortgage Loan Types?July 26, 2022Homebuying 101Read more Affordable homes in 2022? Yes – in these marketsJuly 22, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Buyer power shifts as affordability faltersJuly 15, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Shrinking average mortgage indicates opportunity, but not falling pricesJuly 8, 2022The Morty ReportRead more What rising rates mean for new construction loansJune 30, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreNational Homeownership Month: 5 tips for Homebuyers in a Competitive MarketJune 30, 2022Homebuying 101Read more What to keep an eye on as home sales fall and prices riseJune 24, 2022The Morty ReportRead more What the rate hike means for mortgagesJune 16, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreGet HomeReady: An Affordable Mortgage Program You Might Have MissedJune 15, 2022Homebuying 101Read more Are We Finally Catching a Break?June 9, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Affordability down 29%June 9, 2022The Morty ReportRead more The ABCs of ARMs: How Adjustable-Rate Mortgages WorkMay 31, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more Up in ARMsMay 26, 2022The Morty ReportRead more Vacation Home and Investment Property MortgagesMay 26, 2022Homebuying 101Read moreContingent vs. Pending: What’s the Difference?May 24, 2022Homebuying 101Read more Make Sense of a Wild WeekMay 6, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreFinancial Literacy Resource RoundupApril 29, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more All Eyes on AffordabilityApril 22, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreWhat is Mortgage Insurance and How Does it Work?April 12, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreThen and Now: The State of Female HomeownershipApril 8, 2022Homebuying 101Read more Rates Continue on an Upward ClimbApril 4, 2022The Morty ReportRead more The Morty Report: Welcome AboardMarch 25, 2022The Morty ReportRead moreWhat Does ‘Contingent’ Mean in Real Estate?March 20, 2022Homebuying 101,SellingRead moreWhat Is a Condo? Everything You Need to Know Before You BuyMarch 14, 2022Homebuying 101Read moreHow to Avoid PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)March 11, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreHow Long Does it Take to Close on a House?March 3, 2022Homebuying 101Read moreWhat Is a Townhouse and Is It Right for Me? February 25, 2022Homebuying 101Read moreWhat is a Jumbo Loan? Everything You Need to Know About This Type Of MortgageFebruary 20, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreWhat is PMI? How Private Mortgage Insurance WorksFebruary 16, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreUnlocking Home Inspection Costs: A Vital Step on Your Homebuying JourneyFebruary 11, 2022Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more Homeowners Insurance: What is it and What Does it Cover?February 6, 2022Homebuying 101Read more What is APR (Annual Percentage Rate) And How Does it Impact Homebuying?January 31, 2022Homebuying 101Read moreHow to Buy a House With No Money Down in 2022January 3, 2022Money MattersRead moreHow Do You Shop Around for a Mortgage?December 20, 2021Homebuying 101Read more Debt-to-Income Ratio: What is it and How is it Used by Lenders?December 20, 2021Money MattersRead moreWhat is Cash-Out Refinancing and When is it a Good Option?December 20, 2021Money MattersRead moreHome Appraisal Checklist for SuccessDecember 13, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreExploring Single Family Homes: Definitions, Pros, Financing, and MoreDecember 6, 2021Homebuying 101Read more How Much Down Payment to Buy a House?November 29, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreWhat is Mortgage Forbearance and is it a Good Idea?November 29, 2021Money MattersRead moreWhat is a Multi-Family Home and is it Right for You?November 29, 2021Homebuying 101Read more Buying a House in 2022: A Step-By-Step GuideNovember 20, 2021Guides,Homebuying 101Read moreHow Long Does a Home Appraisal Take? Appraisal Process ExplainedNovember 6, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreHow to Refinance a Mortgage Step by StepNovember 5, 2021Guides,Homebuying 101Read more What is an Appraisal? Everything You Need to KnowNovember 3, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreWhat Does Pending Mean on a House?October 31, 2021Homebuying 101,SellingRead moreWhen Does a Mortgage Pre-approval Expire?October 31, 2021Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreWhat is a PUD and How is it Unique?October 29, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreHome Equity Loan: Everything You Need to KnowOctober 22, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreHow to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)October 21, 2021Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreHow to Get a Mortgage Pre-ApprovalOctober 20, 2021Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more How Much of Your Income Should You Spend on Your Mortgage?October 13, 2021Homebuying 101Read more What Credit Score is Required to Buy a House?October 12, 2021Homebuying 101Read moreWhat is an FHA Loan? Everything You Need to KnowOctober 8, 2021Homebuying 101Read more How to Calculate Your Mortgage PaymentOctober 7, 2021Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more How Much Are Closing Costs?October 6, 2021Homebuying 101Read more What is a Mortgage? A Guide for BeginnersSeptember 29, 2021Guides,Homebuying 101Read moreWhat is Escrow and Why Do You Need It?September 27, 2021Homebuying 101Read more How Much House Can I Afford?September 14, 2021Homebuying 101Read more How Long Do You Have To Wait To Refinance Your Mortgage?September 13, 2021Homebuying 101Read more6 Annoying But True Reasons Closing Dates MoveJanuary 27, 2021Homebuying 101Read more Demystifying 3 Confusing Parts of Your Closing DisclosureFebruary 19, 2020Homebuying 101Read more7 Common Decorating Mistakes New Homeowners Can MakeFebruary 15, 2020Home ImprovementRead more 3 home improvements that can lower your tax billFebruary 11, 2020Money MattersRead more APR vs Interest Rate: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Key DifferencesFebruary 11, 2020Homebuying 101Read more A Homebuyer’s Guide to Decoding Mortgage AcronymsFebruary 4, 2020Guides,Homebuying 101Read more4 Steps Every Homebuyer Should Follow When Getting a MortgageJanuary 26, 2020Guides,Homebuying 101Read more These Paint Colors Can Add Thousands to a Home’s PricetagJanuary 23, 2020Home ImprovementRead more Your Final Walkthrough: What to Look For and When to Put on the BrakesJanuary 15, 2020Homebuying 101Read more4 Pieces of Advice First-Time Homebuyers Should Definitely IgnoreMarch 18, 2019Homebuying 101Read more The Psychology of Home Buying: Set Aside Emotions and Focus on the FactsMarch 6, 2019Homebuying 101Read more4 Ways Millennials are Transitioning from Renting to BuyingMarch 5, 2019Homebuying 101Read more 4 Tips For How to Plan, Budget and Smartly Purchase Your First HomeMarch 5, 2019Money MattersRead more When’s the Best Season to Buy a Home?March 4, 2019Homebuying 101Read more 4 Reasons Your Home Offer Was Rejected by the SellerFebruary 19, 2019Homebuying 101Read more 3 Tips For Finding a Home You’ll LoveFebruary 12, 2019Homebuying 101Read more The Rise Of Female HomebuyersFebruary 7, 2019Money MattersRead more Your First Month “To-Do” List as a HomeownerFebruary 4, 2019Guides,Home ImprovementRead more 4 Tidying Tips for First-Time HomeownersJanuary 24, 2019Home ImprovementRead more 10 Apartment Amenities Buyers Want in 2022January 22, 2019Home ImprovementRead more When High-Tech Meets Home Buying: the Latest Products and Platforms to Watch in 2019January 10, 2019Money MattersRead more Wrapping Up Your Home Search This WinterDecember 24, 2018Money MattersRead more ’Tis the Season: Using Gift Funds for Your Down PaymentDecember 17, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 8 Home Amenities Buyers Should Look For In 2022December 11, 2018Home ImprovementRead moreWhen It Comes to Buying a Home, Pets MatterDecember 10, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Do Millennials Value Homeownership Over Other Life Events?November 29, 2018Money MattersRead more You Don’t Have to Be Debt-Free to Buy a HomeNovember 19, 2018Money MattersRead more Your Guide to Homebuying for Tipped EmployeesNovember 12, 2018Homebuying 101Read more To Buy or Not to Buy: What to Do When Mortgage Rates Are RisingNovember 5, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Is Your Home Halloween-Ready? 9 Tips For How To Haunt Your House!October 22, 2018Home ImprovementRead more Think Millennials Homebuyers Are Buying in Big Cities? Think Again.October 16, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 5 Things You Need to Know About Jumbo MortgagesOctober 8, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 5 Reasons Autumn Might be the Best Time of Year to Buy a HomeSeptember 10, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Title Search: What it Takes to be Clear to CloseAugust 28, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 8 Things You Should Know About Making an Offer on a HomeAugust 23, 2018Homebuying 101Read more What Homebuyers Should Know About Home AppraisalsAugust 14, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreUsing Retirement Funds for Your Down PaymentJuly 30, 2018Money MattersRead more 5 Tips to Get Your House Airbnb ReadyJuly 12, 2018Money MattersRead more What Is the Morty Pre-Approval? How Is It Different?July 2, 2018Homebuying 101Read more What is the Difference Between a Hard Credit Inquiry and a Soft Credit Inquiry?June 25, 2018Money MattersRead more 4 Things to Consider When You Start House HuntingJune 22, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Buying a Home as a FreelancerJune 18, 2018Homebuying 101Read more How Fintech Is Helping Millennials Take Financial ControlJune 11, 2018Company News,Money MattersRead more How Does Your Credit Score Actually Work?June 5, 2018Money MattersRead more Everything You Need to Know About Mortgage InsuranceMay 29, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 8 Ways Homeowners Can Prepare For Natural DisastersMay 21, 2018Home ImprovementRead more Thinking About Buying an Older Home? Four Things to Consider FirstMay 8, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreFirst-Time Homebuyers: 7 Ways to Save For Your Down PaymentApril 30, 2018Money MattersRead more Let’s Talk About Debt (Part Two)April 27, 2018Money MattersRead more Five Spring Home Maintenance Tasks for New HomeownersApril 23, 2018Home ImprovementRead more Lets Talk About Debt, BabyApril 20, 2018Money MattersRead more Here’s What a Cash-Out Refi Could Mean For YouApril 17, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 3 Steps For Buying Your First Home in a Competitive MarketApril 9, 2018Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead more Four Things First-Time Homebuyers Fail to Notice at Open HousesApril 2, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreAll the Single Ladies and HomeownershipMarch 30, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Getting a Mortgage for New ConstructionMarch 27, 2018Homebuying 101Read more A History of Credit Scores and Credit ReportingMarch 19, 2018Money MattersRead more Millennials Are Owning These Housing TrendsMarch 16, 2018Homebuying 101Read more Buying a Home When Your Partner Has Bad CreditMarch 13, 2018Money MattersRead moreAre Millennials (REALLY) Ruining Homeownership?March 9, 2018Homebuying 101Read more 8 Ways You Can Build Your Credit From ScratchMarch 5, 2018Money MattersRead moreMillennials Are Buying Homes. Here’s How They’re Doing It.March 2, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreHow to Clean Up Your Credit When Preparing to Buy a HomeFebruary 27, 2018Money MattersRead moreMillennials are Buying Homes. Here’s What They’ve Learned.February 23, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreBuying a Home Soon? Here’s How to Protect Your Credit ScoreFebruary 19, 2018Money MattersRead moreHow to Dispute Errors on Your Credit ReportFebruary 12, 2018Money MattersRead more4 Tips to Balance Your Mortgage With Student LoansFebruary 7, 2018Money MattersRead more Credit Basics for First-Time HomebuyersFebruary 6, 2018Money MattersRead more How to Know If Refinancing Your Mortgage is Right For YouJanuary 29, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreHere’s What’s Wrong with Mortgage Pre-ApprovalsJanuary 8, 2018Homebuying 101Read moreDoes Bigger = Better When It Comes to Borrowing Your Mortgage?December 25, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Can I Afford What My Pre-Approval Letter States?December 18, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Four Things You’ll Need to Get Pre-Approved for a MortgageDecember 11, 2017Homebuying 101Read more When Should a Homebuyer Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?December 4, 2017Homebuying 101Read more 4 Reasons You Should Get Pre-Approved for Your MortgageNovember 27, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreMortgage Pre-Approvals ExplainedNovember 20, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreWhat’s the Best Time of Year to Get a Mortgage?November 13, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreColor Therapy—What Colors Should You Paint Your Home?November 9, 2017Home ImprovementRead moreHow do the Fed’s Interest Rate Changes Affect Mortgage Rates?November 6, 2017Money MattersRead more 5 Ways Closing on Your Mortgage Can Go Wrong (plus ways to deal)October 31, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreSaving for Your Down Payment? Here’s Where to Stash Your MoneyOctober 24, 2017Money MattersRead more Want to Close Your Mortgage Quickly? Here are 6 Things You Should Do.October 10, 2017Homebuying 101Read more7 Home Maintenance Tasks for Autumn (and One to Put Off Until Next Year)October 4, 2017Home ImprovementRead moreBuying a Home Together as an Unmarried CoupleSeptember 6, 2017Homebuying 101,Money MattersRead moreKeeping Your Home Safe From Fire in Every RoomAugust 23, 2017Home ImprovementRead moreGetting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Will Save You Hassle and HeartacheAugust 1, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Understanding Real Estate as an InvestmentJuly 11, 2017Money MattersRead more Closing Costs, ExplainedJune 1, 2017Homebuying 101Read more 5 Ways to Watch Your Wallet When Buying a New HomeMay 24, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreThinking About Refinancing Your Mortgage?May 17, 2017Money MattersRead more 5 Startups Streamlining Home BuyingApril 26, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreOur Guide to Buying a HomeApril 12, 2017Guides,Homebuying 101Read moreIt’s Almost Always Cheaper to Buy Than It is to RentMarch 21, 2017Money MattersRead more3 Things You Shouldn’t Do Before Getting a MortgageMarch 14, 2017Money MattersRead more Morty’s Start-to-Finish Guide to House HuntingMarch 7, 2017Guides,Homebuying 101Read more You’ve Closed Your Mortgage—5 Things You Should do Next.February 27, 2017Home Improvement,Homebuying 101Read more Are You Ready to Get a Mortgage? If You Are Doing This, You Might BeFebruary 25, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreDon’t Even Think About Getting a Mortgage Until You Do These Three ThingsFebruary 23, 2017Homebuying 101Read moreWhat Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Mortgage?February 22, 2017Money MattersRead more How the Price of Bacon Could Affect Your Mortgage Interest RateFebruary 18, 2017Money MattersRead more Why do Mortgage Rates Fluctuate?February 16, 2017Money MattersRead more What Is a Rate Lock?February 13, 2017Money MattersRead more Millennials Should Not Consider Buying a Home Until This Happens (Hint: It’s Happening Now)February 10, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Four Mortgage Traps to AvoidJanuary 31, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Do you Understand Your Monthly Mortgage Bill?January 17, 2017Money MattersRead more How to Stop Money Shaming YourselfJanuary 10, 2017Money MattersRead more Three Tips to Make Moving Out of Your Home PainlessJanuary 9, 2017Homebuying 101Read more Our Guide to Finding Your Perfect Real Estate AgentDecember 27, 2016Guides,Homebuying 101Read moreIs Buying a Vacant Home Risky?December 19, 2016Homebuying 101Read more 4 Things to Notice When Heading to an Open HouseDecember 12, 2016Homebuying 101Read more Is Your Home Ready for Winter?November 28, 2016Home ImprovementRead more Homeowner’s Toolbox: 20 Tools Every Homeowner Should HaveNovember 19, 2016Home ImprovementRead moreHow to Use Credit ResponsiblyNovember 17, 2016Money MattersRead moreBig Design Moves That Make All the DifferenceNovember 7, 2016Home ImprovementRead moreHow to Prioritize Home ProjectsOctober 27, 2016Home ImprovementRead more Choosing the Right NeighborhoodOctober 24, 2016Homebuying 101Read more How to Make Your Credit Score Mortgage-ReadyOctober 22, 2016Homebuying 101Read more5 Tips for New HomeownersOctober 10, 2016Home ImprovementRead moreWinning a Bidding War Without Breaking the BankSeptember 19, 2016Homebuying 101Read more Five Tips for Successful House HuntingSeptember 12, 2016Homebuying 101Read more The Ins and Outs of Home AppraisalAugust 29, 2016Homebuying 101Read moreNo post found Load More