10 easy steps to buying a home
What to do, in order, from checking your budget to getting the keys.
Read the steps
Resources
Mortgage guides and resources
Plain-English answers about buying, refinancing, credit, closing and the loan process. Start with a topic below, or pick up one of our Guides and Tips.
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- NMLS #103098
- Equal Housing Lender
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Fidelity Residential · NMLS #103098 · Equal Housing Lender
- Direct, licensed lenderNMLS #103098. Check our licences on NMLS Consumer Access.
- A licensed loan officerA real person reviews your file and answers your questions.
- Plain-English guidesShort answers to the questions borrowers ask most.
- Apply online or by phoneStart a quote, apply online or call 732-686-9999.
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Guides and Tips
Short guides, each written for one situation. First-time buyers, homeowners, the self-employed and real estate investors each have their own. Pick a guide, tell us where to send it, and it arrives by email or text.
Topic
Buying a home
From working out your budget to closing day.
Top ten mistakes
The common missteps that cost buyers, homeowners and home equity borrowers money or time.
Read the listLearn about the loan process
From application to closing: each step, who does what, and how to keep things moving.
See the processMortgage document checklist
What to gather before you apply: income, assets, identification and property papers.
See the checklist
Topic
Choosing a loan
How the main loan types differ, and the choices that shape any loan.
Choosing a loan program
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and other options and who each one suits; then fixed or adjustable, the length of the loan, points and lender credits, and mortgage insurance.
Compare programsAll loan options
Every loan program on our site, with a short description of each.
See loan options
Topic
Credit
What a credit score is, and what can help before you apply.
Understanding your credit
What a credit score is, what goes into it, and how lenders use it.
Learn the basicsIdeas to improve your credit
Practical steps that can help your credit before a mortgage application, and what to leave alone.
See the ideas
Topic
Closing
What you sign, what you pay, and what to bring.
Guide to closing
The documents you sign, who is there, the costs that come due, which ones you can shop for, and how to plan for them.
Read the guideRate Lock Policy
What a rate lock is, how long locks last, and what happens if your loan does not close in time.
Read the policy
Topic
Answers, terms and tips
Short answers and plain definitions.
FAQ
Straight answers to the questions buyers, homeowners and investors ask us most.
Read the FAQGlossary
Mortgage terms explained in everyday words, from amortization to underwriting.
Open the glossaryMortgage tips
Short, practical advice for buyers and homeowners.
Read the tipsCalculators
Estimate a payment, compare two loans, test an early payoff plan or see whether refinancing could pay off.
Open the calculatorsHave a question we did not answer?
Talk it through with a licensed loan officer, get a quote, or apply online.
This page is general information, not a commitment to lend. Programs, terms and eligibility depend on credit, income, property and underwriting review and are subject to change without notice.
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