The HomePilot Blog
Mortgage guides, rate insights, and homebuying strategy from the HomePilot team.
Freddie 240 vs Portfolio 60 to 120: U.S. Asset Depletion Mortgage Rules
Learn how U.S. asset depletion mortgages turn savings into qualifying income. Compare Freddie vs portfolio divisors, regulator expectations, and broker...
U.S. Home Over $832,750? Jumbo vs Conventional Loans and What to Do
Find out if your U.S. loan becomes jumbo under the 2026 FHFA $832,750 limit. Compare rates, down payment and reserve rules, and check live quotes from 40+...
Buy Again After Foreclosure in the U.S.: 2 to 7 Year Timeline, Loans, Docs
Buy again after foreclosure in the U.S. Exact waits (VA ≈2 years, FHA 3, conventional 7), which documents shorten waits, and which loan programs to target.
No Hard Credit Pull: FHA vs Conventional Loans With U.S. Refinance Plan
Compare FHA and conventional loans side by side with no hard credit pull. Use a U.S. checklist and refinance plan to find which costs less.
US Refinance to Remove a Co Borrower: 2% to 6% Costs, Use Break Even Tool
How to refinance into one borrower's name: lender requirements, expected 2% to 6% closing costs and a 1 to 2 month timeline. Run a break even test and get no...
CLTV vs LTV: Appraisals, HCLTV, and the 80% Cap That Decides HELOCs
Learn how CLTV, appraisals, and HCLTV affect HELOC approval. See the 80% CLTV bands lenders use and practical steps to lower your ratio before you apply.
Avoid Draining Reserves: Appraisal Gap Coverage for U.S. Home Buyers
Learn how U.S. buyers pick a safe appraisal gap cap, avoid draining required post closing reserves, and use wholesale lender pricing to lower out of...
See U.S. Quotes From 40+ Lenders for HELOC vs Home Equity
Compare HELOC and home equity loans for U.S. homeowners. Get quotes from 40+ wholesale lenders, spot fee traps, and request a free loan estimate review.
Know If You Pass VA Residual Income for Veterans: 6 Steps and Charts
Check whether your household clears VA residual income in 2026. Follow six step-by-step calculations, compare the official VA charts, and use practical...
Most U.S. Mortgages Have No Prepayment Penalty: Run a Break-Even First
Most U.S. mortgages today lack a prepayment penalty. Learn federal caps (2% then 1% until year three), state limits, and how to run the break-even to decide.
Avoid Losing $8,000: Earnest Money vs Down Payment for U.S. Buyers
Practical U.S. guide to earnest money vs down payment with real dollar examples, preapproval tips, an escrow receipt checklist, and calculators to time...
2026 U.S. Jumbo Loan Requirements: FHFA Limits and Wholesale Rates
A U.S. 2026 jumbo-loan checklist: see how FHFA county limits change whether you need jumbo, what lenders inspect, and how to compare fast wholesale quotes.