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Educational Resources

Check out our tips, articles, and insights dedicated to empowering everyone to get a great deal on their mortgage.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Loan Summary vs. Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

“Property Taxes, HOAs, and Zoning: The Fine Print You Can’t Ignore”

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Cost Worksheet vs. Closing Disclosure: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Top Smart Home Upgrades That Actually Add Value

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Loan Summary vs. Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Loan Summary vs. Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Loan Summary vs. Closing Cost Estimate: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Home Maintenance 101: The First-Year Homeowner’s Survival Guide

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

How to Build a Home Emergency Fund

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Loan Summary vs. Closing Disclosure: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Cost Worksheet vs. Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Cost Worksheet vs. Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Loan Summary: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Understanding Home Equity — and How to Use It Wisely

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Closing Disclosure Explained: Read Your CD Line by Line

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

When and How to Refinance Your Mortgage

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early or Invest the Extra Cash?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Hidden Costs of Homeownership You Should Plan For

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

10 Common Myths About Buying a Home — Busted!

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Should You Use a Mortgage Broker or Go Directly to a Bank?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 20, 2025

Negotiating Closing Costs: A Guide to Saving Thousands

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 20, 2025

How to Compare Mortgage Rates and Lenders Like a Pro

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 20, 2025

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent & Save Thousands

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 20, 2025

How to Make a Competitive Offer in a Hot Housing Market

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 20, 2025

Fee Sheet vs. Loan Summary: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Fee Sheet vs. Pre-Approval: What's the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Fee Sheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Closing Cost Estimate: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Phone Quote vs Pre-Approval: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

The Complete Roadmap to Buying Your First Home

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Renting vs. Buying: How to Know When You’re Ready to Own

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Home Loan Types Explained: Conventional, FHA, VA, & USDA

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Understanding Contingencies: What They Mean and When to Use Them

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Understanding Escrow Accounts for Taxes and Insurance

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Escrow Process Explained: Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Fee Sheet vs. Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Pre-Qualification vs Email Quote: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 5, 2025

Closing Costs Explained: What Homebuyers Need to Know (and Avoid) in 2025

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Sep 9, 2025

Email Quote vs Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 13, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 20, 2025

Cracking the credit code: How your score shapes your mortgage journey

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Aug 20, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Change of Circumstance: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 8, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Closing Cost Estimate: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 7, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 18, 2025

Fincast vs. Rocket Mortgage: What’s the Difference?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 23, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Phone Quote: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 5, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Pre-Qualification: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 9, 2025

Email Quote vs Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 11, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 4, 2025

Decoding mortgage interest rates: How to secure the best deal and save thousands

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Aug 20, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Phone Quote: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 10, 2025

Email Quote vs Closing Disclosure: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 13, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Email Quote: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 10, 2025

Email Quote vs Closing Cost Estimate: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 11, 2025

What is Mortgage Shopping? Complete 2025 Guide

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Sep 9, 2025

Email Quote vs Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 11, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 20, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Cost Worksheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 6, 2025

Email Quote vs Pre-Approval: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 10, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Loan Summary: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 17, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Closing Disclosure: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 10, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Fee Sheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 5, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Pre-Approval: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 17, 2025

Mortgages: What you need to know to shop for a mortgage

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Aug 20, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 29, 2025

Email Quote vs Phone Quote: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 10, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Rate Lock Agreement: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 8, 2025

How to save thousands on your mortgage

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Aug 20, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Fee Sheet: What Every First-Time Homebuyer Must Know in 2025

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Oct 17, 2025

What is a Loan Estimate? How to read it and save money

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Sep 17, 2025

Loan Estimate vs Closing Cost Estimate: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 4, 2025

Email Quote vs Fee Sheet: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 10, 2025

Email Quote vs Loan Summary: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 10, 2025

Pre-Qualification vs Loan Summary: What’s the Real Difference for Homebuyers?

Written by

Benjamin Schieken

Nov 6, 2025