Mortgage guides

Plain-English answers for borrowers and the lenders who serve them. General information only, not financial or legal advice.

• Documents needed for a mortgage applicationThe paperwork lenders usually ask for, and why.
• Pre-qualification vs. pre-approvalTwo terms people mix up, and when each one matters.
• FHA vs. conventional loansDown payment, credit and mortgage insurance, side by side.
• Why borrowers abandon mortgage applicationsFor lenders: where applications stall and what helps.
• How to reduce underwriting conditionsFor loan officers: send cleaner files, close faster.