How a Home Appraisal Works
When you apply for a home loan, a lender will usually require an appraisal of the property, whether you’re buying a house or refinancing a mortgage. What is a home…
Barbara Marquand
Barbara Marquand is a NerdWallet authority on insurance. She has written about personal finance for more than a decade, including the intricacies of auto, home, health, life and long-term care insurance. She now writes about mortgages and homeownership. Her work has appeared in MarketWatch, MSN Money, USA Today, The Washington Post and many others. Outside of work, Barb enjoys do-it-yourself projects and is saving for the next round of home improvements. Email: [email protected]
Posts by Barbara Marquand:
How to Avoid PMI When Buying a Home
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is insurance coverage that protects the lender in case a borrower defaults on a home loan. Typically a lender will require you to pay for…
VA Home Loan Limits Disappear, Fees Rise
If you’ve served in the military, this year ushers in some big home loan changes to put on your radar. Veterans and active-duty service members will have more borrowing power…
4 VA Loan Options for Home Improvements
VA loans make homeownership possible for thousands of veterans and military service members every year. The loans have no down payment or mortgage insurance and often have lower mortgage rates…
FHA vs. VA Loan: Which One Is Right For You?
With no down payment or mortgage insurance requirements, VA loans are hard to beat. But even if you’re eligible for a VA loan, an FHA loan might be worth a…
How to Get a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA Home Loan
The VA certificate of eligibility is a document that tells a lender you meet the military service or surviving spouse requirements to get a VA home loan. You can start…
Down Payment Assistance: How to Get Help Buying a House
If you want to become a homeowner, but you don’t have enough cash for a down payment, a state or local down payment assistance program might be able to help.…
First-Time Home Buyer Down Payment Strategies
Socking away a pile of money for a down payment on your first home is easier said than done. First-time home buyers often combine saving for a down payment with…
401(k) Rollovers: A Quick Start Guide
When you take a 401(k) from an old job, you have a few options on what to do with it. But for many people, a great choice is to convert…
Mortgage Closing Costs: What They Are and How Much You’ll Pay
After saving for a down payment, house hunting and applying for a mortgage, closing costs can come as an unpleasant surprise. Understanding what closing costs cover and budgeting for them…
