Mortgage Blog

Read about current mortgage and real estate industry news right here on our Paragon Mortgage Services website.

Using gifts and alternative ways to fund your down payment

Down payment funding alternatives For many buyers, especially first-time buyers, saving up the funds for the down payment can be a...

Experian Boost vs. UltraFICO

Author: Mindy Leisure, Advantage Credit, Manager of Rescoring Services Date: April 20, 2022 Experian Boost™ and UltraFICO™ are two...

What is a Second Mortgage and what are the benefits?

Because there is more risk involved with a second mortgage, the lender's conditions are usually more stringent, the term is shorter and...

The Four Steps of the Loan Process

There's no doubt that getting a mortgage is a complex process. You wouldn't be visiting our site if you could complete a one-page...

How to improve your credit score

It's virtually impossible to change your score in the time between when most people decide to buy a home or refinance their mortgage and...

Should I get pre-approved for a home loan before I start my home search?

It's helpful to consult with your mortgage professional as soon as possible — even before you have started researching neighborhoods....

What are FICO scores and how are they calculated?

In today's increasingly automated society, it should come as no surprise that when you apply for a mortgage, your ability to pay can be...

How to do the ultimate mortgage tune-up

Give your mortgage a healthy tune-up to make sure it's still serving you and working to your advantage - and improve your overall...

What is a reverse mortgage and who are they for?

Reverse Mortgages Reverse mortgages (also called home equity conversion loans) enable elderly homeowners to tap into their equity without...

Choosing the best refinance option

What are your reasons for refinancing? The information below may help you narrow down your choices. The number of refinance options...

When to Refinance

What does it cost to refinance? What are the benefits? Ever heard the old rule of thumb, you should only refinance if your new interest...

Real Estate Glossary Terms

Knowledge is power. And we like to empower our clients, at Paragon Mortgage Services. There's plenty of real estate jargon thrown around...

How to get a FREE copy of your credit report

The information in your credit report has a huge impact on whether or not you qualify for a mortgage loan and what interest rate a lender...

What is your credit score and how is it calculated?

Before they decide on the terms of your mortgage loan (which they base on their risk), lenders must know two things about you: your...