Borrower Learning Center

Buying a home

Mortgage after a credit event

Compare conventional, FHA and VA waiting periods and the dates that matter.

Buying a home

Interest-only mortgage options

Understand initial payment flexibility, later payments, and principal repayment.

Local guides

Can I get a mortgage in Illinois if I am self-employed?

Compare tax-return and bank-statement mortgage paths for Illinois and Chicago-suburb business owners.

Local guides

How do DSCR loans work for Chicago-area rental properties?

Compare qualifying rent, taxes, insurance, association dues, and DSCR financing for Chicago-area investment properties.

Local guides

Where should first-time buyers in the Chicago suburbs start?

A first-home financing checklist for Lake in the Hills, Plainfield, and surrounding Chicago suburbs.

Find a local real estate agent

Request an optional introduction based on your location and plans, or get financing help with your current agent.

Calculators

Mortgage planning calculators

Payment, affordability, refinance break-even, and rent vs. buy.

Buying a home

Broker vs. bank

Compare lender choice, pricing, and personal service.

Buying a home

First-time homebuyer roadmap

Published October 21, 2026

From a comfortable budget to preparing for closing.

Buying a home

Understanding mortgage rates

Published October 21, 2026

A broker’s perspective on rates, points, and loan costs.

Buying a home

Manufactured home loans

Explore manufactured home mortgage options, property requirements, down payment questions, and documents to prepare.

Self-employed

Non-QM loansInterest-only mortgages

Understand Non-QM mortgage options for self-employed borrowers and investors, documentation, costs, and lender requirements.

Buying a home

Bridge loans

Learn how bridge loans can help with buying before selling, including equity, overlapping payments, costs, and repayment planning.

Renovation & commercial

Construction loans

Compare construction and construction-to-permanent loans, builder approval, draws, down payment questions, and project requirements.

Buying a home

USDA home loans

Who qualifies, down payment requirements, and official USDA address and income lookup tools.

Company & contact

Jindra Faulkner

Meet our senior mortgage loan originator and branch manager.

Company & contact

Brian Faulkner

Meet our originator and business manager.

Company & contact

Client experiences

Read selected reviews and client experiences.

Company & contact

Where we lend

Explore service areas and licensing considerations.

Company & contact

Website suggestion box

Prepare an email suggestion to Brian about the website.

Rates & costs

Mortgage rates & closing costs

Understand APR, discount points, lender credits, and how to compare loan costs.

Calculators

DSCR rental-property calculator

Estimate rent coverage, mortgage payment, down payment, and operating cash flow.

Investors

DSCR investment loans

Review rent coverage, worked examples, down payment planning, and cash to close.

Buying a home

Prepare for mortgage pre-approval

Prepare your credit, income, assets, and documents for lender review.

Buying a home

Conventional loans

Explore conventional financing and what lenders review.

Buying a home

FHA loans

Learn about FHA financing and borrower preparation.

Buying a home

VA loans

Explore financing for eligible veterans and service members.

Buying a home

Down payment assistance / Chenoa

Explore Chenoa Fund qualifications, education, assistance amounts, and second-mortgage terms.

Buying a home

Jumbo loans

Plan financing for loan amounts above conforming limits.

Buying a home

Buying before sellingFind a local real estate agent

Compare timing, overlapping housing costs, and financing paths.

Self-employed

Self-employed mortgage income

Compare conventional, FHA, bank-statement, and DSCR documentation.

Self-employed

Bank-statement loans

Understand deposit review, expenses, and business documentation.

Home equity

HELOCs and digital home equity

Explore equity borrowing, funding timing, and the three-business-day rescission right.

Home equity

Illinois HELOC planning

Compare Illinois home equity options, debt consolidation costs, property review, and closing.

Home equity

Reverse mortgages

Learn HECM basics, eligibility, costs, and ongoing responsibilities.

Title & taxes

Is your home held in a trust?

Review trust financing and what to consider before changing title.

Title & taxes

Community property, title & spouses

Understand ownership, borrowing, and spouse signatures.

Title & taxes

Illinois property tax exemptions

Homestead, Senior Freeze, disabled veterans, and county contacts.

Local guides

Chicago-area mortgage guide

Plan around property type, taxes, and financing needs.

Local guides

Wisconsin home financing

Prepare for your Wisconsin purchase or cross-state move.

Renovation & commercial

Renovation loans & FHA 203(k)

Explore purchase and improvement financing considerations.

Renovation & commercial

Commercial financing

Discuss business-property financing, project goals, and exit plans.