The process of getting an FHA loan to buy your dream home can be both exciting and stressful. When you buy a house for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions about when things will happen and what to expect during the approval process. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the … Read more
How long you keep your bank statements depends on the type of account and how you receive your bank statements. Most financial institutions provide electronic statements through online banking and make them accessible for years. Wells Fargo, for example, keeps deposit account statements for up to seven years. Check with your own bank or credit … Read more
âBeginning in early 2023, all medical debt with an original owed balance below $500 will be removed from credit reports. If your outstanding bills meet this requirement, it could be worth waiting until the change occurs to begin shopping for a home. A lot of Americans have trouble paying their medical bills because of how … Read more
Paying off collections could increase scores from the latest credit scoring models, but if your lender uses an older version, your score might not change. Regardless of whether it will raise your score quickly, paying off collection accounts is usually a good idea. Although it’s possible that paying off a collection account will raise your … Read more
The current average mortgage rate for someone with a good credit score (700) was 7. 42% as of January 3, 2025, according to Curinos data. Your credit scores can directly impact your eligibility for a mortgage and the interest rate you receive. You may need a score in the high 700s (or higher) to get … Read more
Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Heres an explanation for . Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Bankrate logo. Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial … Read more
The highest of Mastercards three benefit levels includes all the perks of the lower tiers, plus a few extras. Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our … Read more
Over the past few years, our homes and families have become more important to us than ever. Many of us have reassessed our lifestyles and priorities. Perhaps you have too, and are now looking to make a few home improvements, or help out a loved one who really needs it. We’ve put together this article … Read more
Hey there, friend! Ever wondered if paying your bills early could give your credit score a sweet lil’ boost? I mean, who doesn’t wanna see those numbers climb, right? Well, lemme spill the beans upfront: paying bills early can help your credit score, but it ain’t a direct ticket to the top. It works mostly … Read more
Ellie Mae, a leading mortgage software company, says that the average time it takes for homebuyers in the US to close on their loans is 47 days (as of February 2019). This is true for all loan types. In general, purchase loans take longer to close than refinance loans by an average of 12 days. … Read more