Buying a home
FHA & VA Loans
Two different government-backed paths to homeownership. Explore FHA financing and VA benefits for eligible borrowers, along with their qualification requirements and costs.
Mortgage lending, made personal.
Explore your loan options.
A home purchase, a renovation, a different financial plan. Start with your goal, then get to know the mortgage options and questions worth exploring.
Talk with a loan officerFind your starting point
A closer look at every path.
Choose a card for a quick preview, or open the full page to explore further.
Buying or refinancing
Conventional Loans
Explore mortgage financing outside FHA, VA, and other government loan programs. Options can vary by your finances, property, occupancy, and loan amount.
Different documentation paths
Non-QM Loans
Some borrowers need a different way to document their finances. Learn about program-specific paths for self-employment, assets, and investment properties.
Revisit your mortgage
Refinance Loans
Review your current mortgage in light of your next goals. Compare rate-and-term and cash-out options, including closing costs and the long-term trade-offs.
Improve your home
Renovation Loans
Explore financing that can combine a home purchase or refinance with eligible improvements. Understand the project, contractor, budget, and program requirements.
Explore home equity in later life
Reverse Mortgage Loans
Learn how eligible homeowners can borrow against home equity through a reverse mortgage. Understand the costs, ongoing obligations, counseling, and repayment requirements.
Put equity in context
Home Equity Loans & HELOCs
Compare a home equity loan with a revolving line of credit. Both use your home as collateral, so consider payments, fees, and risks alongside your borrowing goal.
These are general program overviews, not an approval or a confirmation that every option is available for every borrower or in every state. Eligibility, property, documentation, and underwriting requirements apply.
Keep the whole picture in view
Compare more than the payment.
Your goals and timeline
Consider how long you plan to keep the home or loan and how your household needs could change.
The full cost
Review interest, APR, closing costs, insurance, taxes, and fees. A lower payment does not always mean a lower overall cost.
The terms and responsibilities
Understand rate adjustments, repayment rules, and homeowner obligations before choosing a program.
Educational information only; not a rate quote, loan approval, or commitment to lend. Programs, eligibility, costs, and terms depend on underwriting, property, and state availability. East Coast Capital is not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD, FHA, VA, or another government agency. NMLS ID #1403.
Buying a home
FHA & VA Loans
Two different government-backed paths to homeownership. Explore FHA financing and VA benefits for eligible borrowers, along with their qualification requirements and costs.
Things to explore
- Discuss your down payment, closing costs, and funds available after closing.
- For VA financing, confirm your entitlement and whether a funding fee applies or an exemption is available.
- Review the property’s intended use, condition, and appraisal requirements with your loan officer.
FHA mortgage insurance and a possible VA funding fee work differently. VA loans do not require monthly mortgage insurance, but interest, closing costs, property taxes, and required homeowners insurance still apply. Compare the complete costs for your situation.
Buying or refinancing
Conventional Loans
Explore mortgage financing outside FHA, VA, and other government loan programs. Options can vary by your finances, property, occupancy, and loan amount.
Things to explore
- Review income, assets, credit history, debts, and the funds needed for closing.
- Confirm whether the property will be your primary residence, second home, or an investment; requirements differ.
- Ask how the down payment, mortgage insurance, loan amount, and rate structure affect your costs.
Compare interest, APR, closing costs, mortgage insurance, and the repayment period. Private mortgage insurance may apply depending on the down payment and program. If considering an ARM, review adjustment timing and caps and whether you could afford a higher payment.
Different documentation paths
Non-QM Loans
Some borrowers need a different way to document their finances. Learn about program-specific paths for self-employment, assets, and investment properties.
Things to explore
- Explain your income sources, business history, assets, and intended property use.
- Ask which documents and reserves the specific program requires; requirements are not interchangeable.
- Compare interest, fees, prepayment terms, and any interest-only or balloon-payment features before proceeding.
Non-QM loans can cost more or have features that differ from other mortgages. Consumer-purpose loans remain subject to applicable ability-to-repay requirements; business-purpose investment loans can follow different rules. Ask whether a conventional or government-backed alternative could meet your needs.
Revisit your mortgage
Refinance Loans
Review your current mortgage in light of your next goals. Compare rate-and-term and cash-out options, including closing costs and the long-term trade-offs.
Things to explore
- Bring your current balance, rate, payment, remaining term, and any prepayment information.
- Review available equity, the appraisal, qualification requirements, and your intended use of any cash.
- Compare closing costs, the new balance and term, total interest, and how long recovering upfront costs could take.
By refinancing your existing loan, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan. Financing closing costs adds to the amount you owe. Using home equity to repay unsecured debt can put your home at risk if the mortgage cannot be repaid. Consult a tax adviser about tax treatment.
Improve your home
Renovation Loans
Explore financing that can combine a home purchase or refinance with eligible improvements. Understand the project, contractor, budget, and program requirements.
Things to explore
- Prepare a realistic scope, itemized contractor estimates, and a budget for unexpected work.
- Confirm eligible improvements, required permits, contractor approval, and any consultant or inspection requirements.
- Discuss the appraisal, project deadlines, draw process, contingency funds, and where you will live during work.
Renovation funds may be held and released under the program’s draw and inspection process. Changes, delays, or budget overruns can affect the project and financing. Confirm responsibilities and permitted work before signing a construction contract.
Explore home equity in later life
Reverse Mortgage Loans
Learn how eligible homeowners can borrow against home equity through a reverse mortgage. Understand the costs, ongoing obligations, counseling, and repayment requirements.
Things to explore
- Discuss your existing mortgage, equity, household members, and expected time in the home.
- Complete required counseling with a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling agency.
- Plan for ongoing property costs, future care needs, spouse protections, and heirs’ repayment options.
Failure to meet loan obligations can lead to foreclosure. This information focuses on FHA-insured HECMs; other reverse mortgage products may have different rules. Government insurance does not guarantee approval or remove repayment and property obligations.
Put equity in context
Home Equity Loans & HELOCs
Compare a home equity loan with a revolving line of credit. Both use your home as collateral, so consider payments, fees, and risks alongside your borrowing goal.
Things to explore
- Review the home’s value, all existing liens, income, credit, and the equity you would retain.
- Compare the amount needed, timing of expenses, upfront fees, ongoing charges, and repayment terms.
- For a HELOC, ask about draw limits, minimum advances, variable-rate caps, and payments after the draw period.
If you cannot repay a home equity loan or HELOC, you could lose your home to foreclosure. Consolidating unsecured debt can turn it into debt secured by your home. Future HELOC advances may be limited or frozen in circumstances allowed by the agreement. Consider alternatives and seek tax advice about any deduction.