02 Oct 2026
By Mark Feder

What Happens When Your Closing Date Gets Pushed Back?

Home Buyer Tips
You scheduled the movers, arranged time off work, started packing, and expected to receive the keys on Friday. Then you learn that closing needs to be delayed. Even a short change in the closing date can affect more than moving day, which is why buyers should understand what may need attention when the timeline changes. The Mortgage Timeline May Need AttentionA mortgage transaction contains several items tied to specific time periods.Depending on the circumstances, a closing delay could affect documents, verifications, or other time-sensitive portions of the loan process. One important example is an interest rate lock. Rate locks generally…
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01 Oct 2026
By Mark Feder

Why the Money in Your Bank Account May Need a Paper Trail Before Closing

Mortgage Tips
Having enough money in the bank is an important part of buying a home, but during the mortgage process, the amount in your account may not be the only consideration. In certain situations, lenders may also need to understand where funds came from. That can surprise buyers who assume that once money reaches their account, its history no longer matters. Mortgage Funds May Need to Be DocumentedDuring the mortgage process, buyers may provide bank or asset statements showing money available for the transaction.If an account contains certain recent deposits that are not easily explained by the documentation already provided, additional…
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29 Sep 2026
By Mark Feder

How a Seller Credit Can Change the Cash You Need Without Changing the Home’s Price

Mortgage Tips
When buyers negotiate the purchase of a home, price often gets most of the attention. But the final sales price is not the only number that can affect how much money a buyer needs at closing. In some transactions, a seller credit can help with certain eligible closing expenses without requiring the seller to reduce the home's purchase price. What Is a Seller Credit?A seller credit, sometimes called a seller concession, is an amount the seller agrees to contribute toward certain buyer costs associated with the transaction. Depending on the mortgage program and transaction, eligible costs may include items such…
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24 Sep 2026
By Mark Feder

What Happens When the House You Want Has a Solar Loan Attached to It?

Home Buyer Tips
Solar panels can be an appealing feature when shopping for a home, especially for buyers interested in energy efficiency. But seeing panels on the roof does not tell you who owns them or whether money is still owed. If the solar system was financed, the outstanding obligation can become an important part of the home purchase conversation.First Find Out Who Owns the SystemSolar arrangements can vary. The homeowner may own the system outright, be paying off a solar loan, or have another type of agreement associated with the equipment. Those distinctions matter because purchasing the house does not necessarily make…
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