Homeownership
Mortgage Payments: Due Dates, Posting and Late Fees
Distinguish your payment due date, late-charge terms, receipt date and credit reporting while resolving servicing errors.
THE ECHL BLOG
Mortgage questions. Clear explanations.
Explore homebuying, home equity and the decisions that come with owning a home.
Looking for the essential steps? Start with our buyer and homeowner guides.
58 articles · Page 4 of 5
Homeownership
Can You Pay a Mortgage Through Venmo or Another App?
Check current Bilt and Venmo eligibility, payment methods, fees and servicer posting before changing how you pay a mortgage.
Homebuying
Mortgage Underwriting: Turn Conditions Into a Closing Plan
Understand the borrower and property reviews, conditional approval and the documents that can keep a mortgage file moving.
Homeownership
Moving With an Existing Mortgage: Portability, Assumption and New Financing
Understand what changes when you move, how an assumption differs from portability and which costs to compare before selling.
Rates & market updates
How to Read a Mortgage-Rate Forecast Without Building Your Budget on It
Evaluate forecast dates, assumptions and benchmarks, then prepare purchase or refinance scenarios for more than one rate outcome.
Refinancing
Refinance Costs and Savings: Read Beyond the New Payment
Compare refinance fees, credits, financed costs, remaining balances and payoff dates. Learn what a payment calculator leaves out of the decision.
Refinancing
Refinancing FHA to Conventional: Compare More Than Mortgage Insurance
Review FHA MIP duration, possible conventional PMI, refinance costs and remaining loan terms before replacing an FHA mortgage.
Loan options · California
California Renovation Mortgages: Match the Loan to the Work
Compare Limited and Standard FHA 203(k) with HomeStyle while planning contractor review, project costs and controlled disbursements.
Homebuying
Rent, Buy or Wait: Compare the Decisions You Can Control
Compare renting and buying with complete costs, realistic holding periods and scenarios that do not depend on future refinancing.
Home equity
Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Investment: Compare the Exit Obligation
Compare a reverse mortgage with a home equity contract by repayment triggers, growing balances, valuation rules, property obligations and exit plans.
Home equity
Second Mortgages: What Changes When You Add Another Lien
Learn how a second mortgage differs from refinancing, how lenders review combined debt and what two loan payments mean for your budget.
Homebuying · California
Planning a Smaller Home Loan in California
Review smaller mortgage amounts, property eligibility, financing costs and the difference between a home price and a loan balance.