While working through a mortgage transaction, having a high level of comfort and trust in the parties involved will make the entire closing process that much easier for you and your client. We know that it's important for buyers and sellers to find a broker they can trust, but remember that it is equally as important for your clients to work with a loan officer they trust. "The No. 1 thing you ca...

Down payment requirements have loosened significantly over the past year, prompting some consumers to raise concerns about a return to pre-crash standards. However, these concerns are not shared by market experts, as a recent survey of more than 100 analysts showed that 96 percent feel mortgage credit access over the next 12 months will remain at sensible levels. "It's important to know the diffe...

Help increase your clients' purchasing power through RentEquity, a program through Key Mortgage Services, Inc. that incorporates rental income into total current income. "This is a great opportunity to maximize the full potential of a borrower's income simply by including a factor that is already in place," said Steve DiMarco, president of Key Mortgage Services, Inc. "This is just one of...

Key Mortgage is offering a new down payment assistance program on Aug. 3, designed to help first time homebuyers make the leap from renting to owning. Through 1stHome Illinois, presented through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), new buyers can obtain a 30-year, fixed-rate, affordable loan and a $7,500 grant to help with down payment or closing costs. "As you plan your strategy fo...