-
3 weeks ago | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
Quick AnswerYour first mortgage payment is typically due at the start of the second month after closing. This means if you close at the end of a month, your first payment will be due in just over a month. But if you close at the start of a month, your first payment will be due in about two months—but you’ll owe more at closing to cover the interest.
-
4 weeks ago | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
How to Get a Second VA LoanIf you've already used a VA loan and want to tap that resource again, here's how to get started. If you took out a second VA loan but have paid off the first loan and sold the home, apply for restoration of your entitlement before you apply for the second loan. This will put you back at your full entitlement, meaning no down payment will be required on the second loan. Visit VA.gov, log in and fill out the form online.
-
1 month ago | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
Real Estate Professionals in the LGBTQ+ CommunityWhile most forms of housing discrimination are still illegal, it's sadly common to hear anecdotes of LGBTQ+ homebuyers experiencing it at some point in the process. In the aforementioned US Bank survey, just over half of respondents reported having a difficult time getting a mortgage, and 73% felt discriminated against by lenders for being LGBTQ+. One way to help reduce this risk is to use a real estate agent who is in the community themselves.
-
1 month ago | 
military.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
The author’s views are hers alone and do not reflect those of any organization or institution with which she or her spouse is affiliated. “Why would anyone want to kick your wife out of the military?”I’ve heard that question repeatedly since 2017, the year transgender service members were barred from joining the military and those already in uniform faced the threat of expulsion.
-
1 month ago | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
Types of Down Payment Assistance ProgramsThere are a variety of down payment assistance programs, but these are the most common types:Typically reserved for first-time homebuyers, grants work like a gift: You don't have to repay the money. The exception is if you don't remain in the home for a required number of years; if you move out earlier than agreed upon, you must pay it back.
-
2 months ago | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
Quick AnswerVA loan requirements for 2025 include proving eligibility, using the home as a primary residence and likely paying an upfront funding fee. Mortgages with low interest rates remain hard to come by, and scraping together a sufficient down payment can be a challenge. For active service members and military veterans looking to buy a home, a U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) home purchase loan could be an excellent option.
-
Jan 28, 2025 | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
To view important disclosures about the Experian Smart Money™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card, visit experian.com/legal. The Experian Smart Money™ Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International. Banking services provided by CFSB, Member FDIC. Experian is a Program Manager, not a bank. Editorial Policy: The information contained in Ask Experian is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.
-
Jan 28, 2025 | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
While turning 18 is a major milestone on the path toward financial independence, it's common to need some extra time and support from family in the form of insurance. Understanding this, auto insurers typically allow drivers to stay on their parents' car insurance as long as they live with them or attend college full time. Rules can vary, however. For example, you might have to drive a car your parents own to stay covered.
-
Jan 12, 2025 | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
What to Do if You Get a Citation or Ticket When you receive a citation for a minor infraction, you typically have the option to admit guilt, pay a fine and be done with it. This can be advisable for more minor infractions, like nonmoving violations that don't require a court date. But don't ignore it: Failure to deal with the ticket and pay up can result in a suspended license.
-
Dec 18, 2024 | 
experian.com | Emily Starbuck Gerson
If an employer opts-in, a 401(k) student loan match allows employees to receive 401(k) matches for making student loan payments rather than retirement contributions. If you left college or graduate school with a hefty student loan balance, you might struggle to find room to save for retirement each month after loan and bill payments. This might become easier now thanks to a legislative provision that's finally going into effect.
