Call or Text: (800) 900-8569
Email Us: alex@gustancho.com
Your credit score affects three things that matter most when you buy or refinance a home: Whether you get approved How much can you borrow What your rate and monthly payment look like But your credit score isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Lenders also look at your down payment, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), cash…
Reverse Mortgage Loans: Complete 2026 Guide for Seniors (Age 62+) Thinking about a reverse mortgage? If you’re 62 or older and own a home, a reverse mortgage can let you turn part of your home equity into cash—without required monthly mortgage payments. This guide explains how reverse mortgages work, who qualifies, the pros and cons,…
Thinking about moving up in the mortgage business—whether you’re a newly licensed loan officer, a producing LO ready to lead a team, or an experienced branch manager who wants more control and support? This guide is for you. In the next few minutes, you’ll learn exactly how mortgage branch opportunity careers work at Gustan Cho…
Portfolio Loans for Foreign Nationals (2026) Yes—foreign nationals can buy U.S. real estate without U.S. citizenship, a green card, or a U.S. credit score using portfolio (non-QM) foreign national mortgage programs. These loans are designed for international buyers who may not have a Social Security number or traditional U.S. income documentation. Most foreign national programs…
FHA 203(k) Loan for Fixer-Uppers: Buy + Renovate With One Mortgage (2026 Guide) An FHA 203(k) loan lets you buy (or refinance) a home and finance the repairs in the same mortgage—with one closing, one monthly payment, and a low down payment (as little as 3.5% if you qualify). Instead of needing a second loan…
Jumbo Mortgage Options: Traditional and Non-Prime Solutions for 2026 A jumbo mortgage is a type of home loan that’s larger than the conforming loan limit set by the FHFA for 2026. In most U.S. counties, the 2026 one-unit limit is $832,750. In certain high-cost areas, the limit can be as high as $1,249,125. If you’re…
In this guide, we will cover starting mortgage net branch. Starting mortgage net branch is a great career step for loan officers who are already producing good results and want to take their career to the next level. A mortgage net branch is a smaller, separate office that’s part of a bigger mortgage company. Bill…
What Is a Portfolio Loan? A portfolio loan is when a lender decides to keep the mortgage in-house rather than sell it to big investors like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Since they’re holding the loan, they can be much more flexible with the rules than with typical FHA or conventional loans. This is especially…
Can You Get a Conventional Loan After Foreclosure? Yes—many buyers can qualify for a conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) loan after foreclosure, but you’ll usually need to meet a required waiting period first (most often 7 years from the completed/recorded foreclosure date). In some cases—such as hardship situations or when the mortgage was included in bankruptcy—the…
This blog is a short-cut guide to the HUD 4000.1 FHA Handbook Revised For FHA Loans. The HUD 4000.1 FHA handbook revised for FHA loans is a 900 comprehensive list of mortgage guidelines and requirements for FHA loans. Every HUD agency guidelines about FHA loans can be found on the HUD 4000.1 FHA handbook. Gustan…
Can You Get a Conventional Loan with Bad Credit in 2026? Yes—you can get a conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) loan with “bad credit,” but you generally need at least a 620 credit score and an Approve/Eligible result through automated underwriting (Desktop Underwriter or Loan Product Advisor). The closer your score is to 740, the better…
Mortgage Loan After Foreclosure And Short Sale Guidelines Many people believe that having a foreclosure or a short sale means they can never buy a home again. The truth is, you can get another mortgage if you wait the right amount of time, repair your credit, and follow the latest loan requirements. Each loan type…
Quick Answer: Why Rent When You Can Own a Home? If you’re paying rent on time every month, you may be closer to homeownership than you think. Buying can turn a monthly payment into equity, stability, and long-term wealth—often with low down payment options and down payment assistance. Your best path depends on your income,…
Quick Answer: Non-QM Home Loan Guidelines Non-QM (non-qualified) mortgages are flexible home loans that don’t follow standard FHA/VA/USDA/Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac rules. They’re built for borrowers with real-world situations—self-employed income, high DTI, recent credit events, or investment properties—using alternative documentation like bank statements, DSCR, or asset-based qualifying. Guidelines vary by program and lender, so the best…
Buying a home or refinancing should feel exciting—not stressful. Yet for many borrowers, the biggest worry is how long it takes to close a mortgage. At most lenders, the average time is still 30–45 days, which feels like forever when trying to move into your new home or lock in a lower rate. At Gustan…
Quick Answer: Home Loan After Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Yes—many buyers can qualify for a home loan after Chapter 7 bankruptcy once the required waiting period is met (often 2 years for FHA/VA, longer for other programs). Your timeline depends on your discharge date, re-established credit, and clean payment history since bankruptcy. Late payments, new collections,…
Quick Answer: Pennsylvania Mortgage Calculator The Pennsylvania Mortgage Calculator from Gustan Cho Associates estimates your full monthly payment, not just principal and interest. It factors in PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance), PMI or FHA MIP, HOA dues, and your debt-to-income (DTI) to help you budget and understand your approval readiness before you apply. What…
Last updated: February 4, 2026 Mortgage and underwriting guidelines can change. The examples in this guide are for education and may vary by lender, AUS findings, and loan type. For the most current official rules, see HUD FHA guidance, the VA Lender’s Handbook, and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac selling guides. Yes, You Can Buy a…
Buying a home in Colorado is exciting, but figuring out the actual cost can be overwhelming. Too many buyers rely on basic online tools that only show principal and interest, leaving out critical expenses like property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and mortgage insurance. That’s where our Colorado mortgage calculator makes the difference. Updated for 2026…
Quick Answer: The Vermont Mortgage Calculator powered by GCA Mortgage Group estimates your real monthly housing payment—not just principal and interest. It’s built for Vermont homebuyers, homeowners, and first-time buyers who want a clearer budget before making an offer. Add taxes, homeowners’ insurance, PMI/MIP, HOA dues, and income/debts to see total payment and DTI ratios….
Quick Answer: Mortgage Escrow Account for Purchase and Refinance Ever wonder why your monthly mortgage payment feels higher than expected? Mortgage escrow accounts are often the reason. Your lender collects money monthly for property taxes and homeowners’ insurance, then pays those bills when due. Escrows are required on FHA/VA/USDA loans and common on conventional loans…
First-time homebuyers need to hire an experienced realtor who is not just accessible 24/7 but who knows the area where the subject property is located.
CALL NOW