--- title: HomeLend Mortgage Blog | personal finance description: personal finance | HomeLend Mortgage Blog --- - [(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/HomeLend_AffordHome_HLBlog.png?width=527&name=HomeLend_AffordHome_HLBlog.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/how-much-home-can-i-afford) ## [How Much Home Can I Afford?](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/how-much-home-can-i-afford) by [HomeLend](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/homelend) on [Feb 08](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2022/02/08) There are a lot of financial and situational factors that play into this question but getting pre-approved by a lender will give you a clear picture of\[…\] [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/how-much-home-can-i-afford) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_5SecurityTips_Blog.png?width=527&name=Homelend_5SecurityTips_Blog.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/5-data-privacy-tips) ## [5 Data Privacy Tips](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/5-data-privacy-tips) by [HomeLend](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/homelend) on [Jan 19](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2022/01/19) Data Privacy Week is celebrated to raise awareness about the ways hackers make attempts to steal data online or otherwise. In order to help you keep your\[…\] [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/5-data-privacy-tips) [![Text reads: Credit Recover Mode Activated, a pair of hands count a wad of cash](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_CreditBlog_Facebook.png?width=527&name=Homelend_CreditBlog_Facebook.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/post-holiday-credit-score-rehab) ## [Post-Holiday Credit Score Rehab](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/post-holiday-credit-score-rehab) by [HomeLend](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/homelend) on [Jan 13](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2021/01/13) Right around now, nearly [half of Americans](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/improve-credit-score-holiday-debt-266134) are sitting with some holiday-related credit card debt.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/post-holiday-credit-score-rehab) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_MortgageDonts_Facebook.png?width=527&name=Homelend_MortgageDonts_Facebook.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/mistakes-to-avoid-before-applying-for-a-mortgage) ## [Mistakes to Avoid Before Applying for a Mortgage](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/mistakes-to-avoid-before-applying-for-a-mortgage) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Nov 04](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/11/04) # Here's what NOT to do in order to obtain a lower interest rate mortgage: [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/mistakes-to-avoid-before-applying-for-a-mortgage) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_SelfBorrower_Blog-1.png?width=527&name=Homelend_SelfBorrower_Blog-1.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/self-employed-borrowers) ## [Self-Employed Borrowers](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/self-employed-borrowers) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Sep 01](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/09/01) Mortgage lenders base quite a bit on a borrower’s employment and income information to determine their ability to pay back a loan.  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/self-employed-borrowers) [![](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Homelend_Floating_Blog.png?width=527&name=Homelend_Floating_Blog.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/before-forbearance-try-this) ## [Before Forbearance, Try This](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/before-forbearance-try-this) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Aug 03](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/08/03) If you are experiencing the latter and are considering mortgage forbearance, keep reading. [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/before-forbearance-try-this) [![Man with glasses wearing flannel shirt in center of image and woman with long brown hair and a white top to the right both looking at an iPad held by a man in a suit](https://blog.homelend.net/hs-fs/hubfs/ProsConsRealtor.png?width=527&name=ProsConsRealtor.png)](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) ## [Pros and Cons of Using a Realtor](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) by [Sara Livecchi](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/author/sara-livecchi) on [Mar 11](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/archive/2020/03/11) When it’s time to search for your new home, one important question you’re going to ask yourself is, “should I use a real estate agent?”  [Read more](https://blog.homelend.net/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-a-realtor) [![](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) [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. No mortgage solicitation or loan applications for properties located in the State of New York can be facilitated through this site. Not for use by New York borrowers.