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Buy A Home
Resources +
- About Us
- FAQs
- Blog
- Contact Us
- Loan Options
- Find a Realtor
- Find a Partner
Refinance
Current Rate Trends
Mortgage Tools

Sarah Stanciu

Sr. Mortgage Advisor

NMLS# 1283047

773-952-1494

sarah@primeratemortgage.com

Sarah Stanciu

Sr. Mortgage Advisor

NMLS# 1283047

773-952-1494

sarah@primeratemortgage.com

Site Map

Please use the site map below to learn more about our company.

Blog Posts:

Buying a House? Don't Forget About Schools!
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home Out of State
Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Homebuying Process
Understanding the Underwriting Process in Home Buying
How to Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home: Key Considerations
Tips for Negotiating Home Prices
5 Ways to Buy a Home With No Down Payment
A Guide to Financing and Buying a Condo
Unlocking the Power of Home Equity
The Investment Potential of Vacation Homes
3-2-1 Buydown Mortgage Loans
Understanding Your Loan Estimate: A Guide for Homebuyers
Your Guide to Saving for a Down Payment
Your Digital Guide to Modern Homebuying
Use your VA Loan Benefits to Buy a Home
What to Consider When Buying Waterfront Property
Why Your Credit Score Matters When Buying a House
VA Home Loans: Benefits for Veterans
Unlock Your Home’s Potential with a Fixed-Rate HELOC
Navigating the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process: Your First Step to Homeownership
FHA Gift Funds: Unlocking the Door to Your New Home
Helpful Home Buying Tips
Wishing Your Family a Wonderful Holiday Season 🎄🎁 🏡
Higher Loan Limits for 2025 Announced
Non-QM Loans: Flexible Home Financing for Self-Employed & Investors
VA Jumbo Loans help Veterans buy New Homes
The Inside Scoop on the Top 5 Mortgage Loan Types
USDA Loans: Affordable Path to Homeownership
How Long is a Mortgage Pre-approval Good For?
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Key Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender
Investing in Vacation Rentals: Luxury vs. Economy Properties
Understanding Sales Price vs. Appraised Value in Real Estate
Understanding Your Mortgage Statement
Preparing for Your First Mortgage Payment: Key Details to Know
Understanding Conventional Loans: A Guide for Aspiring Homeowners
Is FHA Streamline Refinance Right for You?
Happy Halloween from Prime Rate Mortgage ™
Should You Buy a Condo Vacation Property?
Tips for a Successful First-Time Home Buying Experience
The Rise of Single Women Homeowners: Tips for Navigating the Journey
Condo or Townhouse: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
A Simple Guide to First-Time Homebuyer Programs
5 Smart Strategies for Finding the Right Mortgage
How Self-Employed Individuals Can Secure a Mortgage with Confidence
Discover Low-Cost Mortgage Solutions for First-Time Buyers
Understanding the VA Loan: How Many Times Can You Use It?
Financing Options for Real Estate Investment
Understanding Mortgage Rates: A Guide for First-Time Homebuyers
How the Fed's Rate Cut Could Impact Your Mortgage
Top Reasons to Refinance Your Home: Key Benefits to Consider
Choosing the Right Mortgage Term: A Key Decision in Homeownership
Refinance Your Home, Even if You Have Limited Equity
Exploring VA Loans: A Path to Homeownership for Veterans
A Strategic Approach to Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Home Equity Loans vs. HELOC: Which is Right for You?
How High Balance Loans Can Help You Afford a Home in Expensive Markets
Discover the Benefits of USDA Loans
Housing Assistance Programs for Veterans
Essential Guide to Home Inspections: Safeguard Your Investment
A Guide to Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation Loans
Buying a Home: A Helpful Guide to FHA Loans
How Veterans Can Benefit from the VA Loan Streamline Refinance (IRRRL)
Mixed-Use Property Loans
Unlocking Real Estate Potential with HELOCs
Shared Equity vs. Traditional Loans: What’s Better for Homebuyers?
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
Mortgage Options for Physicians: A Path to Homeownership
Can You Afford to Buy a Vacation Home?
Understanding the Importance of Home Warranties
Mortgage Options For Single Parents
Happy 4th of July !
Mortgage Co-signers : A Strategic Partnership for Homebuyers
Essential Financial Tips for Buying a Vacation Home
Pros and Cons of No-Down Payment Loans
Planning Your Vacation Home Purchase
Building Your Dream Home: The Essential Guide to Construction Loans
Why Veterans Are Winning in Today’s Housing Market
How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster
Renovate your Home with a Home Equity Loan
A Veteran’s Guide to Home Loans with Bad Credit
The Essential Guide to Homeowners Insurance for New Homeowners
How to Buy a Home After Bankruptcy
Refinancing vs. Loan Modification: Why Refinancing is the Better Choice
7 Red Flags for Second Home Buyers and How to Avoid Them
A Mortgage Professional's Guide to Inheriting Property
Your Guide to FHA Loans: Making Homeownership Attainable
Mortgage Options for Seniors Downsizing in Retirement
What Is Title Insurance and Why Do I Have to Pay for It?
Understanding USDA Rural Development Loans: Benefits and Eligibility
A Comprehensive Guide to Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Fraud
How a 5% Mortgage Can Get You Into Real Estate Investment
The Importance of Debt Consolidation Home Loans
Annual Mortgage Review for First-Time Buyers
A Guide to Buying a Home in the U.S. for Non-U.S. Citizens
Use a HELOC to Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner
The Essential Role of Mortgage Calculators when Buying a Home
Buying Down the Interest Rate on your Mortgage
What Closing Costs and Fees Do I Have to Pay with a VA Loan?
Understanding Mortgage Prepayment Penalties
Should I Sell or Rent my Home when I move?
Navigating the Mortgage Approval Process as a Gig Worker
The ABCs of Home Loan Options: A Guide for Teachers and Educators
Embracing the Golden Years: A Guide to Buying a Second Home as a Retiree
Using the FHA 203(k) Loan to Renovate Your Home
How to Buy a New Home while Selling your Current Home
The Impact of Your Credit Score on Interest Rates
Understanding When to Lock Your Rate
Mortgage Assistance Programs for First-Time Buyers
The Art of Accelerated Mortgage Payoff with a HELOC
The Pros and Cons of Biweekly Mortgage Payments
Mastering Real Estate: 5 Reasons Why a VA Loan is Your Winning Play
7 Things to Know Before Buying Your Dream Vacation Home
The Importance of a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio
Understanding the Financial Power of Mortgage Points
VA Home Loans: Who Qualifies and How They Work
Lease-to-Own Agreements: A Unique Path to Homeownership
The Power of VA Home Loans: Four Remarkable Advantages
Weighing Your Options: 20% Down Payment vs. Mortgage Insurance
Funding Home Renovations with a Cash-Out Refinance Loan
The Federal Reserve's Role in Shaping Mortgage Rates
Bouncing Back Stronger: Overcoming Mortgage Application Rejection
Avoiding Common Homebuyer Mistakes in a Seller's Market
Unlocking Financial Freedom: A Guide to Refinancing Your Mortgage
The Rise of House-Hacking Among Millennials and Gen Z
Happy New Year!
Getting an Appraisal for Your Vacation Home Loan
What Are the Tax Benefits of Homeownership?
Warm Wishes for a Merry Christmas!
Choosing Between a 5/1 and 7/1 ARM?
The Power of Refinancing into a Shorter Term Loan
Understanding Mortgage Prepayment Penalties: The Hidden Costs
Exploring Interest-Only Mortgages: Benefits and Drawbacks
Is Refinancing my Mortgage to Eliminate High-Interest Debt a Smart Move?
Financing Your Dream Vacation Home: A No-Nonsense Guide
Minimizing the Effect of Job Loss on Your Mortgage
Happy Thanksgiving
The Top 5 Reasons Fixed-Rate Mortgages Are Your Wealth-Building BFFs
How Do I Know Which Home Loan is Right for Me?
Does My Age Affect My Mortgage Eligibility?
Can I Qualify for a Mortgage While I’m Still Paying for Student Loans?
How Will Buying a Vacation Home Affect My Taxes?
HELOC Vs. Home Equity Loan: When Does Each Make Sense?
Happy Halloween
Mortgage Options for Home Remodeling and Renovations
Exploring the Idea of Using Your Retirement Savings for a Second Home
Mortgage Options for Freelancers and Gig Workers
Buying a New or Older Home: Weighing the Pros and Cons
How a Refinance Loan Can Help You Save in Today’s Economy
Navigating Mortgage Opportunities for Veterans and Service Members
How to Use Gift Funds for Your Down Payment
Cracking the Code to Financial Freedom: Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
What is Amortization and How Does It Affect My Equity?
Navigating Your Home Loan Journey: Choosing the Right Mortgage Term
Repayment Options for VA Loans
8 Ways to Identify a Mortgage Scam and Protect Yourself
Understanding Debt-to-Income Ratio
How to Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
We will Always Remember those who died on September 11th, 2001
Renting vs. Buying: The Great Housing Debate
How to Save for a Down Payment: 9 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
The Benefits of Homeownership: Beyond Financial Gains
Do VA Entitlements Ever Expire?
How To Handle Your Mortgage In a Divorce
Get a Mortgage even if You Just Started a New Job
How To Refinance into a VA Loan
Does the VA Offer Reverse Mortgages?
How to Read a Closing Disclosure, Page By Page
How Do VA Loan Rates Compare to Other Loans?
What To Do After Your Mortgage Closes
Understanding the Differences between Second Homes and Investment Properties
What’s the Difference Between a Mortgage Co-Borrower and Co-Signer?
6 Mistakes that Home Buyers Should Avoid
How Often Do Mortgage Rates Change?
How to Start the Process of Buying a Home
Can Manual Underwriting Help You Get Approved for a Mortgage?
How To Save As Much Money as Possible When Buying a House
Most Popular Home Renovations Do Not Provide a Great ROI
Happy Independence Day!
The Pros and Cons of a 40-Year Mortgage
How does a HELOC work?
Can I Get a VA Loan After Leaving Military Service?
Weighing the Options: Vacation Home or First Mortgage Payoff?
Buying a Short Sale: Everything You Need to Know
Making Sense of Today's Interest Rates
Can My Lender Sell My Mortgage?
Should I Consolidate My Debts with a Mortgage Refinance Loan?
When Is a Mortgage Prequalification Helpful?
Understanding Mortgage Loan Origination Fees
What is a No Fee Mortgage?
How to Improve Your Credit to Get a Better Mortgage Deal
How Many Mortgages Can I Have at One Time?
Do I Have to Pay Private Mortgage Insurance?
Mortgage Bankers and Brokers: What’s the Difference?
Is a Conforming Loan the Same as a Conventional Loan?
3 Reasons a Government-Insured Mortgage Might Be Your Best Option
Why Is My Mortgage Escrow Account Sending Me a Check?
What Happens When a Title Search Uncovers a Problem?
What Is a Convertible Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?
What is a Refinance Break-Even Point?
What is an Assumable Mortgage?
What is Mortgage PITI?
What do Appraisers Consider When Valuing a House?
Should You Stay in Your Home Or Rent in Retirement?
Should You Help Your Kids Pay for Their Mortgage?
How to Buy a Vacation Home in 5 Steps
What is Cash to Close?
5 Questions about FHA Loans
What is a Loan Estimate?
Adjustable-Rate Mortgages – The Most Frequently Asked Questions
What Fees are Included in Mortgage Closing Costs?
Can I Use a Home Equity Loan to Buy a Vacation Home?
How To Beat High Inflation with a Home Purchase
More Space: Buying a Bigger Home vs. Expanding
How Long Does a Mortgage Pre-Approval Last?
5 Common Misconceptions That Keep You from A Perfect Credit Score
5 Things Every First-Time Buyer Needs to Know
Should You Make a 20% Down Payment?
Happy Valentine's Day
How To View a Home Purchase: Home-Sweet-Home or Investment?
10 Important Facts About VA Loans
Tax Refund Season Means Help for Homeownership
Buying a Vacation Home or Investing in a Timeshare?
Need Help with a Down Payment? A HomeReady Mortgage Might Be Right for You
What is the Difference Between a Mortgage Interest Rate and the APR?
2023 Conforming Loan Limits Jump $79,000, Giving Borrowers Plenty of Mortgage Options
Your Mortgage Closing Checklist
Can I Build a House with a VA Loan?
Choosing the Best Type of Refinance Loan
What is a Debt-To-Income Ratio and Why Does it Matter?
Home Buying in 2023 – What to Expect
Happy New Year 2023
6 Ways to Know You Are Ready to Be a Home Buyer
Don’t Make These 7 Home Buyer Mistakes
Merry Christmas
How To Avoid Being House Poor
How to Qualify for a Jumbo VA Loan
How to Buy a Home in Today’s High-Priced Market Without a Six-Figure Income
Understanding Non-Owner-Occupied Mortgages
The Ultimate Mortgage Pre-Approval Document Checklist
There are Lots of Reasons to Refinance Your Home
Can’t Quite Afford a House Yet? Consider a Co-Borrower
Happy Thanksgiving
Disputing Your Property Tax Assessment Can Save You Money
8 Things You May Not Know About VA Loans
5 Crucial Questions to Ask When Buying a Condo
Happy Veterans Day to All Veterans
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a VA Loan?
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Vacation Home
Understanding Seller Concessions
Is a 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Right for Me?
Happy Halloween 2022!
Can I Still Get a VA Home Loan If I’ve Had a Bankruptcy?
Should I Refinance My ARM Loan to a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
Home Buying Options for Teachers
What The Latest Fed Rate Hike Means for Mortgages
What's the difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit
HUD Homes - Another Option for Buyers and Investors
Does My Credit Score Affect How Much I Pay in Private Mortgage Insurance?
What Tax Deductions are Available to Homeowners?
Should I Buy a Home Now or Continue Renting?
An Excellent Credit Score can Save you Big Money
Understanding LTV Ratios
Don't Let Rates keep you from Buying or Selling
Is It Possible to Refinance a VA Loan?
How A Bridge Loan Can Help You Build a New Home
Buying a Vacation Home: A Quick Guide
Will Getting a Mortgage Help My Credit Score?
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Jumbo Loan Questions
Your Mortgage Application Document Checklist
The Top 7 Mortgage FAQs of First-Time Buyers
FHA Loans: the 9 Most Frequently Asked Questions
A Renovation Loan Could Help You Beat the Housing Market
6 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Mortgage
How Soon After Buying Can I Refinance the Mortgage of My Second Home?
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Vacation Home?
What Does It Take to Get an Investment Property Loan?
The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying A Vacation Home
Combat Rising Inflation on Your Debt with a Refinance Loan
Programs and Grants to Help First-Time Home Buyers
7 Essential Home Buying Questions
How to Avoid 3 Common Mortgage Scams
What is a Drive-By Appraisal?
Home Equity Vs. Cash-Out Refinance Loans
Can You Afford a Second Home?
What if Rates Rise while my House is Under Contract?
How Long Does a Mortgage Refinance Take?
Your AirBnB Income Can Help You Refinance Your Mortgage
4 Steps You Can Take When You Can’t Afford Your Mortgage Payments
How to Make Your VA Loan Competitive in a Hot Market
How to Refinance Your Vacation Home
What’s the Difference Between the Sales Price and Appraised Value of a Home?
Can You Get a Mortgage for a Cabin Purchase?
Can You Afford a Second Home?
The Most Important Do’s and Don’ts of Getting a Mortgage
What You Need to Know About FHA Loans in 2022
Will a HELOC Affect Your Credit Score?
Can You Get a Loan to Buy an AirBnB?
What an 18% Jump in 2022 Conforming Loan Limits Means for Me
How Long Should You Keep Your Mortgage Papers?
One Extra Mortgage Payment a Year Can Add Up to Big Savings
Who Owns My House: Me or My Mortgage Lender?
5 Reasons You Might Want a Non-Conforming Mortgage Loan
Creative Ways to Avoid Paying Closing Costs
5 Questions Unmarried Couples Should Ask before Buying a Home
Should I Do a Cash-out Refinance on My Rental Property?
7 Tips for Second-Time Home Buyers
Is the Market Headed towards 3-D Printed Homes?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
What Are Mortgage Origination Fees?
Buying a Home with help from Family
What does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
Happy Thanksgiving
Should I Ever Consider a Balloon Mortgage?
What is a Mortgage Contingency?
How to Prepare Your Home for an Appraisal
Happy Halloween
Americans Home Equity is at a Record High
How to Get Past First-Time Home Buyer Anxiety
4 Other Ways to Save Without Refinancing
Who Will I Work with in the Home Buying Process?
Fannie Now Accepts Timely Rent Payments as Credit Background
What is an eClosing?
4 Things to Know Before Getting a Reverse Mortgage
Is Buying a House with an HOA a Good Idea?
Should I Get a Conventional or FHA Loan?
Fannie, Freddie, and Ginnie and What Do They Have to Do With My Mortgage?
This New Mortgage Rule Could Save You from Foreclosure
How to Get a Mortgage Without a Credit Score
How Big Credit Card Purchases Can Hurt Your Mortgage Terms
Should I Buy, Build, or Renovate as a First-Time Home Buyer?
Can Refinancing Hurt My Credit Score?
Will My Mortgage Payment Increase Over Time?
What’s the Difference Between a Home Appraisal and Inspection?
What to Do if the Appraisal Comes in Low
How to Protect Your Information When Applying for a Mortgage Online
How to Avoid Delays in Your Home Buying Process
Can I a Buy a Home with Bad Credit?
How to Refinance After a Mortgage Forbearance
Should I Stay with my Current Lender when I Refinance?
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Applying for a Mortgage
What is the Best Way to Pay for Home Renovations?
Condo or Townhouse - Does it Matter?
There are LOTS of Reasons why You Might Want to Refinance
How Mortgages Are Affected by Property Use
Should I Buy a New or Existing Home?
What Loan Options are Available for Rental Properties?
How to Apply for a Mortgage Online
Why does Buying a Home require so much Insurance?
Mortgage Rates are Seasonal and Other Secrets
Time to Take Advantage of the Commercial Real Estate Market
Can you a Buy a Home with Bad Credit?
The Little-known Mortgage That Doesn’t Require a Down Payment
6 Tips for Saving a Down Payment as a Renter
4 Predictions for the 2021 Mortgage Market
Should I Pay Mortgage Taxes and Insurance on My Own?
Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender
Is My Credit Score Good Enough for a Mortgage?
Happy Thanksgiving
How the Eviction Moratorium Affects Landlords and Their Mortgages
Should I Pay Off My Mortgage with My 401(k)?
Should I Pay Off Student Loans with a Home Refinance?
How to Get a Small Dollar Mortgage Loan
Is Now the Right Time to Buy Your First Home?
The Little-known Mortgage That Doesn’t Require a Down Payment
Should I Refinance into a 15-year Mortgage Now?
Do You Have Enough Money to Buy a House?
What Happens If I Lose My Job During the Mortgage Process?
New FICO “Resilience” Credit Score Could Help Borrowers
Buying a First Home in an Expensive Area
What is an ARM loan?
Understanding Mortgage-related Insurance
Is Now a Good Time for a Reverse Mortgage?
How Long Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last?
What You Need to Know About Mortgage Forbearance
How to Buy a Home During COVID-19
Can a Higher Interest Rate Actually be a Better Choice?
Will an Employment Gap Hurt My Chances for Mortgage Approval?
What Does It Take to Refinance a Jumbo Loan?
Should You Buy a Second Home as Your First Home?
Why NOT to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
What Costs Can I Expect as a Home Seller?
3 Things Lenders Don’t Want to See on Your Bank Statements
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
What Fees Are Included in My Monthly Mortgage Payment?
How to Cancel FHA Mortgage Insurance
Happy Thanksgiving
6 Homebuying Mistakes to Avoid
Jumbo Loans for Veterans
Can I Refinance with Bad Credit?
Is a Bigger Down Payment Always Better?
9/11 A Day We Will Never Forget
What is the CHOICERenovation Mortgage?
Should you Buy an Investment Property?
What’s More Important: Lower Home Prices or Mortgage Rates?
Energy Efficient Mortgage Program
Happy 4th of July
5 Tips for Buying an Investment Property in Illinois
Benefits to Mortgage Debt
4 Loan Programs With Zero-Down Payment
What is Mortgage Amortization?
How to Build Home Equity
Can I Qualify for Down Payment Assistance?
5 Ways to Save Money on Your Mortgage
5 Things to Do After Your Mortgage Closes
What is the Right Mortgage for Buying a Fixer-Upper?
Why Do Mortgage Rates Go Up and Down?
First-time Homebuyers should avoid these 5 Mistakes
The Ins and Outs of a Down Payment
Happy Holidays from Prime Rate Mortgage ™
Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement?
Happy Thanksgiving from Prime Rate Mortgage ™
30-year Mortgages vs. 15-Year Mortgages
Happy Halloween
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
How to Qualify for a Mortgage When Your Income Isn’t Steady
Should I Roll My Student Loans into My Mortgage?
What is a Piggyback Mortgage?
Are Fixed Rate Mortgages or Adjustable Rate Mortgages better for me?
The Top 4 Reasons You Should Get a VA Loan
Should I Pay Mortgage Points?
Happy Independence Day 2018!
4 Things Every Borrower Needs to Know About Mortgage Brokers
Should I Rent or Buy?

Contact Info

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Barrington, IL 60010

support@primeratemortgage.com

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8AM - 5:30PM

Prime Rate Mortgage ™

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