--- title: HomeLend Mortgage Blog | mortgage (2) description: mortgage | HomeLend Mortgage Blog (2) --- - [(888) 749-9595](tel:8887499595) - [info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) [![HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1.png?width=961&name=HomeLendLogo_TM-01-1.png)](https://homelend.net/)   - [Login](https://apply.homelend.net/#/) - [Apply](https://apply.homelend.net/#/milestones) - [Today’s Rates](https://homelend.net/quote/) - [Loan Programs](https://homelend.net/loan-programs/) - [Blog](https://homelend.net/education/) - [Calculator](https://homelend.net/mortgage-calculator/) - [About](https://homelend.net/about-us/) [tel:8887499595](tel:8887499595) [mailto:info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) [![Homelend](https://blog.homelend.net/hubfs/HomeLendMortgage_January2020/images/Homelend_Logo_3_8_17_2000-scaled.png)](https://homelend.net/) - [Today’s Rates](https://homelend.net/quote/) - [Loan Programs](https://homelend.net/loan-programs/) - [Blog](https://homelend.net/education/) - [Calculator](https://homelend.net/mortgage-calculator/) - [About](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [Login](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [Apply](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [(888) 749-9595](tel:8887499595) - [info@homelend.net](mailto:info@homelend.net) © 2019 # HomeLend Mortgage Blog We don’t expect you to know everything there is to know about buying a home. We provide you with expert service for a reason! Feel free to explore our blog to find some quick answers to all your home loan-related questions. ##### [Home Buying](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/home-buying) ##### [Refinancing](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/refinance) ##### [First-Time Buyer](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/1str-time) ##### [Borrowing 101](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/101) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_515434660.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_515434660.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/4-ideas-to-teach-your-children-about-finances) ## [4 Ideas to Teach Your Children About Finances](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/4-ideas-to-teach-your-children-about-finances) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) There's no doubt that teaching your child smart money management habits is vital to their long-term success.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/4-ideas-to-teach-your-children-about-finances) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/san-francisco-210230_1920.jpg?width=527&name=san-francisco-210230_1920.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/3-ways-to-build-equity-in-your-home) ## [3 Ways to Build Equity in Your Home](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/3-ways-to-build-equity-in-your-home) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 06](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/06) For homeowners, equity is like an extra bank account.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/3-ways-to-build-equity-in-your-home) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/money-2696228_1920.jpg?width=527&name=money-2696228_1920.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/creative-ways-to-source-a-down-payment) ## [Creative Ways to Source a Down Payment](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/creative-ways-to-source-a-down-payment) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 05](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/05) Many prospective homebuyers face a big hurdle: the down payment.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/creative-ways-to-source-a-down-payment) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Media/Stock%20images/happy%20young%20romantic%20couple%20at%20new%20modern%20%20home%20interior%20renovation.jpeg?width=527&name=happy%20young%20romantic%20couple%20at%20new%20modern%20%20home%20interior%20renovation.jpeg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/fha-loans) ## [FHA Loans](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/fha-loans) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Dec 03](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/12/03) First-time home buyers are more empowered than ever by the FHA loan. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/12/fha-loans) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_531086104-1.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_531086104-1.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/your-home-loan-options-made-simple) ## [Your Home Loan Options Made Simple](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/your-home-loan-options-made-simple) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) Whether you’ve been living with family or renting with roommates, becoming a homeowner is a huge stepping stone in anyone’s life.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/your-home-loan-options-made-simple) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Keep%20Accounts%20Open.png?width=527&name=Keep%20Accounts%20Open.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/credit-utilization-rate) ## [Credit Utilization Rate](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/credit-utilization-rate) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) You may be wondering how important credit utilization rate is in determining your credit score. The short answer? Very. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/credit-utilization-rate) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/sharon-mccutcheon--8a5eJ1-mmQ-unsplash.jpg?width=527&name=sharon-mccutcheon--8a5eJ1-mmQ-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/private-mortgage-insurance-pmi) ## [Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/private-mortgage-insurance-pmi) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) Private mortgage insurance, commonly abbreviated as PMI, is a monthly payment that protects lender against a loan foreclosure.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/private-mortgage-insurance-pmi) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_521200432.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_521200432.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/what-are-points) ## [What are Points?](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/what-are-points) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) **Points** are used to pay for a reduced interest rate on a home loan. Each point correlates to one percent of the loan amount. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/what-are-points) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_716954407.jpg?width=527&name=shutterstock_716954407.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/annual-percentage-rate-apr) ## [Annual Percentage Rate (APR)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/annual-percentage-rate-apr) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) The annual percentage rate gets a lot of borrowers confused when shopping for a loan. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/annual-percentage-rate-apr) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/ralph-kayden-2d4lAQAlbDA-unsplash.jpg?width=527&name=ralph-kayden-2d4lAQAlbDA-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/fixed-rate-mortgage) ## [Fixed-Rate Mortgage](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/fixed-rate-mortgage) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 27](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2019/11/27) A fixed-rate mortgage is one of the most common type of home loans because it’s the least risky for the borrower.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/2019/11/fixed-rate-mortgage) [Previous](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/tag/mortgage/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/all) ## Get a FREE rate quote in minutes! [Get Started](https://homelend.net/quote/) ![Homelend](https://blog.homelend.net/hubfs/HomeLendMortgage_January2020/images/Favicon-e1573147821451.jpg) HomeLend Mortgage is a direct lender proud to serve you with honesty, integrity, and competence. We provide home loans with the lowest interest rates and closing costs possible.    [A division of Kwik Mortgage.](https://www.kwikmtg.com/) ### Contact info@homelend.net 888-749-9595 959 U.S. 46, Suite 401 Parsippany, NJ 07054 - Company - [About](https://homelend.net/about-us/) - [Resources](https://homelend.net/education/) - [Careers](https://homelend.net/careers/) - Legal - [Privacy Policy](https://homelend.net/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://homelend.net/terms/) - [State Licenses](https://homelend.net/statelicensing/) - [NMLS #138075](https://homelend.net/education/www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) [![Equal Housing](https://blog.homelend.net/hubfs/HomeLendMortgage_January2020/images/EqualHousingLogo.png)](https://www.hud.gov/) [![BBB](https://blog.homelend.net/hubfs/HomeLendMortgage_January2020/images/JW-BBB-Grey.png)](https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/business-reviews/mortgage-bankers/kwik-mortgage-corporation-in-s-plainfield-nj-90020476#sealclick) © 2020 Homelend Mortgage | Company NMLS #138075 [www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org](https://homelend.net/www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. 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