Guides

What a loan officer who's done every job wants you to know.

Buying a home in Colorado

Pre-approval vs pre-qualification: what's the difference?Pre-qualification is a quick estimate. Pre-approval means a lender has verified your documents. Here is why that gap matters when you make an offer.

Down payment assistance

How down payment assistance works for Colorado home buyersDown payment assistance can come as a grant, a second loan, or a deferred amount. Here is how Colorado programs generally work and what to ask before you apply.

Self-employed and taxes

How lenders calculate self-employed income for a mortgageLenders usually average your net income from two years of tax returns. Here is how Schedule C, 1099, and K-1 income are read, and why timing matters.

The closing process, from every desk

Refinancing

Refinance break-even: how to know if it's worth itA refinance only pays off if you stay long enough to recover the costs. Here is the simple break-even math, with a worked example and the cases where you should not refinance.

Credit union vs bank vs broker

Credit union vs bank vs mortgage broker: how to compareEach type of lender works differently. Here is what separates a credit union, a bank, and a broker, and the questions that matter more than the label.