Yes, you can get a HELOC if your main mortgage is an FHA loan, but the HELOC itself does not come from the FHA. This confuses a lot of people, so let’s be clear. The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) does not offer HELOCs. There is no such thing as an “FHA HELOC.” However, you can … Read more
Yes — you can almost always pay principal on a HELOC during the draw period, and it’s one of the smartest things you can do. During the draw period, most lenders only require you to pay the interest. But “required” and “allowed” are two different things. You’re usually free to pay extra toward the principal … Read more
Most mortgage lenders look back 2 to 3 months on your bank statements for a regular loan, but for a non-QM bank statement loan, they look back 12 to 24 months. The difference comes down to why they’re looking. For a regular loan, lenders just want to confirm you have enough money for the down … Read more
Yes, you can roll some closing costs into an FHA loan in 2026, but the rules depend on whether you’re buying or refinancing. When you buy a home with an FHA loan, you generally cannot roll regular closing costs into the loan amount, but you can roll in the upfront mortgage insurance premium, and you … Read more
Yes, you can refinance a DSCR loan and real estate investors do it all the time. A DSCR refinance replaces your current investment-property loan with a new one, based on whether the property’s rental income covers its payment. Just like the original loan, a DSCR refinance qualifies on the property, not on your personal income … Read more
Can I Get a Home Equity Loan If I’m Self-Employed? Yes, you can absolutely get a home equity loan if you’re self-employed. You just prove your income a little differently than someone with a regular paycheck. If you own a business, freelance, or work as an independent contractor, you don’t get a W-2, which is … Read more
Yes, a first-time home buyer can get a construction loan in 2026, but it’s just a bit harder than buying an existing home. Building from the ground up is riskier for lenders, so they set a higher bar: stronger credit, a solid down payment, and detailed building plans with an approved builder. The good news … Read more
For most homeowners in 2026, refinancing your whole mortgage just to consolidate debt is not the best move, but there’s a smarter way to use your home to do it. Here’s the key: a cash-out refinance replaces your entire mortgage with a new, bigger one. If you locked in a low mortgage rate a few … Read more
In most cases, the “First-Time Homebuyer Credit” that people ask about was a tax credit from 2008 and if you claimed the earliest version, you may still be repaying it in 2026. Here’s the important part many people don’t know: there is no new federal first-time homebuyer tax credit available today. Bills to create one … Read more
What Is an FHA Loan? An FHA loan is a home loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration, a part of the U.S. government. Here’s the key idea: the government doesn’t lend you the money directly. Instead, it insures the loan, which means it promises to help cover the lender’s loss if the borrower can’t … Read more
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