When you apply for a mortgage, you expect your lender to have some questions. But the truth is, your lender is going to have a lot of questions—and if you know what to expect before you start the application process, all of those questions can feel a lot less jarring and invasive.
A recent article from Realtor.com outlined a variety of questions you should expect when applying for a mortgage, including:

What is your credit score? Your credit score will, in large part, determine the interest rate on your mortgage—so be prepared to turn it over to your potential lender.
Do you have a sufficient credit history? Your credit score is important—but so is your credit history. Your lender wants to see a variety of credit types and a long history of on-time payments.
How much cash do you have on hand?Lenders want to know that you have enough cash on hand to cover your down payment, inspection, and closing costs. In order to show them you have enough. ...

From leaving the house for showings and open houses to having to keep the place spotless at all times, having a home on the market can be a nerve-wracking endeavor. Once you’ve made the decision to sell, you want to know that you won’t be in this anxiety-filled limbo forever. You want to hand over those keys, collect your check and move on — literally!
So, without lowering your asking price, what can you do to sell your home in a hurry? The following are 11 strategies that will help your property sell quickly without your wallet taking a heavy hit.
1. Declutter.

via GIPHY
Few things detract from the beauty of a home quite like clutter. Though straightening and organizing is rarely the way most homeowners want to spend their days, it makes a huge difference. We’re not just talking about scrapping the junk mail either. Rid your entryways and mud rooms of extra coats, bags, and boots. Keep those countertops clear, and don’t forget to straighten up ...

Many people continue to rent because they think that it’s the more affordable option—and that owning a home is out of their reach. But, as it turns out, rents have seen sharp increases across the country—while the average mortgage payment has actually fallen.
According to a report from CoreLogic, the “typical mortgage payment” (a monthly mortgage payment based on the US median home sale price that incorporates both principal and interest) has decreased four percent since 2005—while the monthly cost to rent a single-family home has increased by 36 percent. Renters are also more cost-burdened than homeowners, with nearly half (46 percent) spending more than 30 percent of their total income on rent (compared to just 27 percent of homeowners).
The Takeaway:
If you’ve been renting as a way to save money, it might be time to rethink your strategy. Rent has been steadily increasing across the US in recent years, and in many cases it’ ...

When it comes to selling your home, you want the entire process to be as quick and profitable as possible. And according to a recent study, there’s one thing you can do to make sure your home sells quickly and for the most money—listing it on the right day.

According to a recent study from Redfin, homes listed on Thursdays sell both faster and for more money than homes listed any other day of the week. But how much faster—and for how much more money? According to the study, homes listed on Thursdays typically went to contract five days faster than homes listed on Sundays (the day of the week homes sell the slowest) and, on average, sell for $3015 more than homes listed on Mondays (the worst day of the week to sell in terms of price advantage).


The Takeaway

If you’ve been thinking about listing your home, make sure you list it on a Thursday. Not only will the process likely be faster, but it will probably be more profitable as well. ...

Plenty of home sellers consider their places to be coveted properties that others would be lucky to own. But, that hubris can often lead to trouble when it comes to actually landing an offer and closing a sale.
First-time sellers in particular exhibit some self-sabotaging behaviors that can trip them up on the way getting the deal done. The following are the most common mistakes they make and how to avoid them.
1. Thinking they can go it alone

via GIPHY
Selling a home is not for the faint of heart, nor is it an easy DIY project. First-time home sellers quickly realize marketing and showing their property is a full-time job. Unless they’re experts in real estate contracts, appraisals, inspections, and other documentation, they can end up make costly errors. Fortunately, this is an easy one to fix: Hire a licensed agent.
2. Wanting to price it too high

via GIPHY
Homeowners may think they’re living in the perfect home, but pricing it too high will render it a white . ...