Home Buyer Tips Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Chris Jordan Mortgage Team

Maryland Mortgage Program adds new Flex loan options to help more buyers

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) has always been geared toward helping first time home buyers in Maryland with down payment and closing cost assistance. MMP defines a first time home buyer as a person who has not owned a home in the most recent three…

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage Planning

When is mortgage interest tax deductible now?

Last updated: September 11, 2026 CJMT

Mortgage interest may provide a federal tax deduction for many homeowners. However, having a mortgage does not automatically create a tax benefit. Several factors determine whether you can deduct mortgage interest. These include whether you itemize deductions, when you incurred the debt, how you used…

Homebuyers reviewing mortgage and credit information

Credit Tips Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101

Don’t trust your online credit score

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

One of the most common questions I hear from homebuyers is, “Why is the mortgage credit score my lender pulled different from the score I see online?” The answer is simple: there is no single universal credit score. You can have many credit scores at…

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Purchase VA Mortgage

VA Home Loan Benefits for Veterans and Active-Duty Military

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

For eligible Veterans, active-duty service members and certain surviving spouses, a VA-backed home loan can offer valuable mortgage benefits. Eligible borrowers may purchase a primary residence with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. VA loans can also offer competitive terms. In addition, borrowers…

Mortgage insurance and home financing costs

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Insurance

Mortgage Insurance Explained

Last updated: August 28, 2026 CJMT

Mortgage insurance can make it possible to purchase a home with less than a 20% down payment. But many homebuyers are understandably confused about how it works, how much it costs and whether there are different ways to structure it. For many conventional mortgages with…

Self-employed mortgage borrower reviewing financial documents

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage Planning Self employed

Thinking of becoming self-employed? A few things to consider first…

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

Becoming self-employed can be a great career move. However, if you expect to buy a home, refinance or apply for mortgage financing soon, it is important to understand how that change could affect your qualification. Leaving a salaried or W-2 position does not automatically mean…

Down Payment Assistance Education Home Buyer Tips Purchase

Down Payment Assistance Programs

Last updated: August 27, 2026 CJMT

Down payment assistance programs can help make purchasing a home more attainable by reducing the amount of money a buyer needs for the down payment and, in some cases, closing costs. Buyers in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia may have access to state, local or…

Protecting credit and personal information online

Credit Tips Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

How to Protect Your Credit and Identity

Last updated: September 3, 2026 CJMT

Identity theft and credit fraud can create serious financial problems—and they can become especially disruptive when you are preparing to buy or refinance a home. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help protect your credit and personal information. Some are simple habits,…

Homebuyers reviewing financial documents for a mortgage

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

Verifying your cash assets – Do’s and don’ts when buying a home

Last updated: August 28, 2026 CJMT

When you are preparing to buy a home, having enough money for your down payment and closing costs is only part of the equation. Your mortgage lender may also need to verify where those funds came from. This is known as asset verification or sourcing…

Termite inspector checking a home for wood-destroying insects

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

Termite Inspections When Buying a Home: What Mortgage Borrowers Should Know

Last updated: September 3, 2026 CJMT

A termite inspection—more accurately called a wood-destroying insect or WDI inspection—can be an important part of buying a home. But whether the inspection is actually required for the mortgage depends on the loan program, the property and sometimes what is discovered during the appraisal or…

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