Written by someone who has worked the loan side

Gerald Kensinger has originated mortgage loans for more than 10 years, starting in 2007 during the housing crisis. That work covers FHA, VA and conventional loans: purchases, refinances and cash-out refinances, renovation loans, construction and construction-to-permanent loans, and reverse mortgages.

HomeBuyerLoanGuide exists to explain how those loans are priced and approved, so buyers can ask better questions and pay less. It is for buyers with strong credit who want the best price, and for buyers who need to build or repair credit before they apply.

What this site does and does not do

This is an education site. It does not make loans, take applications, quote rates or refer you to lenders. Nothing here is advice about your specific loan, and nothing here is credit repair. We explain how things work so you can handle your own loan search and credit reports with confidence.

How we write our guides

Each guide carries the author's name and a date. We cite primary sources such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and we update guides when rules or limits change.

Questions or corrections? Email [email protected].