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First, let's be clear. Bank Statement loans is not a return to the type of loans that triggered the last housing crisis. Bank statement loans, simply, are a way for self-employed mortgage applicants to qualify for higher loan amounts. Only for Self-Employed  When...

For the fourth consecutive year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) increased loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The conforming loan limit will jump from $484,350 to $510,400. For high cost areas, like the Bay Area, the loan limit will...

Here's how SELFi compares to Better Mortgage: 1. Interest Rates Let's cut right to the chase. First, how the business models differ: SELFi is a marketplace that shops wholesale interest rates across 15 lending partners, using an algorithm to match the lowest rate...

Often the biggest misconception of first-time home-buyers is the down payment. Some think it’s 20%, others think it’s 0%. Here's the real deal: For mortgages $484,350 and below, there are two programs called HomeReady and HomePossible. There are some minor differences...

Everyone knows that comparison shopping saves them money, yet when it comes to mortgages, many people don't. According to a report by the CFPB and Federal Housing Agency, 50% of consumers failed to shop around with mortgage companies before applying. Furthermore, 75%...

I always tell people, the biggest competition for SELFi is consumer misunderstanding. The more knowledgeable a customer is about mortgage rates, the more likely SELFi will earn his or her business. So we are in the education business just as much as the mortgage...

Often the biggest barrier for first-time home-buyers in San Francisco is the down payment. Traditional banks usually require 20% down. In San Francisco, the median home value is a whopping $1.14 million, where a 20% down payment equates to $228,000.   5% Down, No...

For the third consecutive year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) increased loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The conforming loan limit will jump from $453,100 to $484,350. For high cost areas, like the Bay Area, the loan limit will...

You applied for an FHA or VA loan, but your lender said your credit score is too low. Here is the number one thing you need to know: The minimum credit score may be a lender overlay. What are Lender Overlays? Lender overlays are more stringent standards than investor...

SELFi started with a simple idea: to offer the absolute lowest interest rates. That’s it. You see, I had worked for mortgage lenders that charged higher than market rates and it didn't feel good knowing customers could get a better deal elsewhere. I felt that the best...