Here is a collection of frequently asked questions that I have put together to help you in buying or selling a home. If you have any other questions, not listed here, feel free to call or send an e-mail.

Click the Plus Sign beside any of the questions below to reveal the answer.

Buyers

Can a home depreciate in value?  Answer show

Is an older home as good a value as a new home?  Answer show

What are closing costs?  Answer show

What does FSBO mean?  Answer show

What is a “One-Time Show” listing?  Answer show

What is a broker?  Answer show

What is a contingency?  Answer show

What is a debt-to-income ratio?  Answer show

What is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?  Answer show

What is a REALTOR®?  Answer show

What is an escrow officer?  Answer show

What is homeowners association (HOA)?  Answer show

What is the difference between being prequalified and preapproved for a loan?  Answer show

What is title insurance?  Answer show

What’s the Difference between a “Listing Agent” and “Selling Agent”?  Answer show

Why should I use a real estate agent?  Answer show

Mortgage

Are lenders limited in the amount of escrow funds they can collect from borrowers? Answer show

Can I pay my own taxes and insurance? Answer show

How can I avoid private mortgage insurance? Answer show

How is interest calculated on a mortgage loan? Answer show

How long does the loan process take? Answer show

How much time will it take to close my loan (sign the loan documents)? Answer show

Is there a minimum credit score? Answer show

Must I use the mortgage company that my builder directs me to? Answer show

Should discount points be paid to lower (buy down) an interest rate? Answer show

What are the benefits of doing a first and second lien conbination? Answer show

What benefits do I receive from private mortgage insurance? Answer show

What do I do if I receive a tax statement? Answer show

What does Prepaid Interest mean? Answer show

What does the origination fee cover? Answer show

What is a gift letter? Answer show

What is a lock in? Answer show

What is an ARM loan? Answer show

What is an escrow account? Answer show

What is my credit score and how is it calculated? Answer show

What is PITI and what does it stand for? Answer show

What is preapproval or prequalification? Answer show

What is underwriting? Answer show

Why did my mortgage payment amount change? Answer show

Why does the title have to be cleared before I can get a mortgage? Answer show

Why is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on the Truth in Lending Disclosure higher than the rate shown on my note, which is the rate I thought I chose? Answer show