How long is taking for your mortgage loan to close? Did you go with a bank or a company that had the lowest rate? Maybe the mortgage lender you're with is someone your mom or dad recommended. And now it's been 90 days or more and your mortgage still isn't closed. That's not the case at some places. For instance, at AmeriFirst Home Mortgage our closing times are much lower according to the numbers. Let's take a look at a specific loan type: renovation mortgages.

To apply for a mortgage, you'll need several things. Besides an ID you'll need to prove you have income and show that you can pay your debts. That's the basic premise when it comes to applying for a mortgage loan. But as they say, the devil's in the details. Let's take a look at how the process works.

If you're looking for a specific home loan called the First Time Home Owner Mortgage, you'll be a bit disappointed. That kind of mortgage doesn't really exist. Instead, many first time buyers end up with one of a few mortgage loans for several reasons. So if you're looking to buy your first home, let's take a look at the most common ways you may end up financing that major purchase.

Home buyers with a mortgage loan through AmeriFirst Home Mortgage enjoy several benefits. One of them is local service. AmeriFirst retains servicing of its loans. We do not sell servicing to big banks. This means when you close with AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, you pay your mortgage to AmeriFirst. You can call us with questions and talk to the AmeriFirst servicing department. They're local, too. No call centers here.

Many homeowners in today's housing market are underwater in their mortgages and haven't had anywhere to turn for relief. That's about to change. New financial calculators will give lenders like AmeriFirst Home Mortgage the chance to help homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth refinance into lower interest rates. Lower rates will mean monthly savings and a little breathing room for a lot of homeowners. After all, people buying homes now are getting historically low interest rates, while you're in a house that's losing value while the interest rates fall around you. But since your value fell, you can't refinance. That just doesn't seem fair. Enter the Home Affordable Refinance Program part two, or "HARP 2.0" as it's called.

"Sunny days..." Can you hear the song in your head? Can you hear Cookie Monster tearing through those tasty treats? Can you picture Bert and Ernie talking about pigeons and rubber duckies? Then you're a Sesame Street fan!