News

Before making any major decision in life, it’s important to understand the rules that go along with it. Refinancing is no different. But sometimes, knowing which rules you don’t really need to follow can help you have the best results. So forget what you’ve been told: here are the rules you can break when refinancing your mortgage. “Rule” #1: Save At Least 1% You don’t need to save at least 1% on your interest rate for refinancing to be worth it. Lowering that percentage even just a little bit will help put money back in your pocket. It all depends... Read More

Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country deserve the opportunity to live in a home they’ve always dreamed of. That’s why we’re committed to providing competitive VA loans to veterans. The best part? It’s typically easier to qualify for VA loans than conventional mortgages, and with help from our expert loan consultants, we’ll make the process even easier. If you’re interested in a VA Loan in the St. Louis area, just check out the four-step process below.   Pre-qualification and Pre-approval Getting prequalified and approved is a simple but incredibly important step in the process. Pre-approval typically involves providing... Read More

Buying a home can be a pretty complicated process. And rightfully so – it’s a pretty major investment, no matter what or where you’re buying. But don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Following these six steps below is a good way to wrap your head around what’s going to be a long, expensive, and ultimately rewarding process. 1. Improve your credit score Unless you’re flush with cash, you’ll most likely be getting a mortgage to help pay for your house. And to get a mortgage best suited for your needs, you’ll want to have the highest possible credit score. You can... Read More

While it can be said that lenders have varied criteria regarding their approval or denial of loans, there are common threads between each. We’ve compiled a handy list of actions and things to be aware of during your mortgage approval process. Gather Documentation Before applying for any type of mortgage loan, you can save time by gathering the necessary documentation beforehand. Any lending institution will have a list of required documents on their website, or they’ll have a toll-free number to call. It also helps to have a head start on documents that require some shipping or clerical work to acquire,... Read More

So you finally did it – you got the loan you needed to make the impossible possible, whatever your possible might be. But what happens now? Before doing anything, it’s a good idea to start thinking about how you’re going to repay this loan in as little time as possible. Because not having a plan (or not sticking to it) will cost you in the long run. If you’re finding yourself without a solid path forward, check out the tips below for quickly repaying loans in a way that won’t rack up extra expense. Relax First and foremost, take a deep... Read More

To understand the impact of loans on your credit score, we must first take a step back to understand the foundation of loans and credit. When someone borrows a loan, they agree to make a certain number of payments for a certain amount by a particular date each month. A credit score represents the amount of trust lenders have that someone will be able to repay their debts and financial obligations on time. A good, or higher, score suggests they are very timely with payments, whereas a bad score suggests they are not very trustworthy with repaying what is owed.... Read More

Even if you’re ready to sign the papers and close the deal on your new dream home, it’s important to make sure one more thing gets done: the home inspection. Why get a home inspection BEFORE buying the home? While it might seem like overkill, getting a home inspection performed can help you avoid five pretty major mistakes moving forward. Losing Leverage The information you learn during a home inspection can help make sure that you have leverage when negotiating a deal moving forward. If you didn’t know that information before, it becomes more difficult to get the deal that... Read More

If you’re a veteran, you’ve probably heard of VA loans. But do you know exactly what it takes to get one? And what the benefits are when you do? Here at Liberty Lending, we’ve got years of experience providing veterans in the St. Louis area with VA loans, so we know how to break it down. Here’s the formula for VA loans: Service Record + Credit Score + Income Level = No Down Payment, 100% Financing, and Great Fixed Rates Let’s explore how everything comes together. First, this is what goes into a VA loan. Service Record When applying for... Read More