Jennifer Franklin

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Jennifer Franklin |John Stearns |Alice Holbrook

A mortgage loan estimate is a standard three-page document detailing the estimated costs, structure and other terms of a loan. Mortgage lenders are required by law to provide borrowers with a loan estimate within three business days of receiving the loan application. The loan estimate helps borrowers understand the complete cost of their mortgage and makes it easier to compare loan offers. What is a mortgage loan estimate?

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Jennifer Franklin |Michele Petry

When you’re on the hunt for a new home, you might come across communities run by a homeowners association, or HOA. Some believe an HOA’s rules and regulations protect and enhance property values, while others think of HOAs as over-reaching neighborhood patrols. But whether you like them or not, all HOAs have rules. And breaking them, even by accident, can have steep consequences. Here are some of the most commonly violated HOA rules — and how to avoid potential trouble. What is an HOA?