Dan Rafter

Dan Rafter has covered real estate, mortgage and personal-finance news for more than 15 years, writing for the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Consumers Digest and many others. A graduate of the University Illinois with a degree in journalism, he is editor of Midwest Real Estate News magazine and blogs on commercial real estate for that publication at rejblog.com, in addition to being a contributor for Refi.com.

Buying a House for Sale by Owner

Fractional Ownership Explained

What is Fractional Ownership? As its name implies, fractional ownership is when a group of people–usually family members, friends, or […]

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Letters written on a desk next to a pen, spelling the word "mortgage"

FHA vs Conventional Loans: Differences and Which is Better

In the world of home financing, choosing the right loan type can significantly impact a homeowner’s financial future. Among the […]

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A community of manufactured homes

FHA Loans for Manufactured Homes 2024

When it comes to purchasing a “mobile home” or manufactured home, prospective buyers often seek loan options that cater to […]

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The Consequences of Walking Away From Your Mortgage

If you’ve reached a financial crisis and you’re running out of money and options, you may be contemplating walking away […]

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A male homeowner sits at the dining table, confused about his financing documents

Refinancing a Seller-Financed or Owner-Financed Home

Seller financing, also called “owner financing” or a “land contract,” is when the home seller provides a loan to the […]

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How to Buy a House

Millions of people buy their first home every year, but it can be intimidating if you’ve never gone through the […]

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Portrait of a happy senior couple posing outside their new home.

Home Loans For Seniors: How to Get a Mortgage When Retired

Getting a home loan as a senior can be challenging. Learn more about your mortgage options, benefits, and how to qualify for a mortgage in your golden years.

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A community of manufactured and mobile homes

How to Finance a Manufactured or Mobile Home

Despite expectations for a cooling housing market, home prices have continued to rise steadily. With current market conditions making homebuying […]

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Business woman calculates her income for a mortgage at her desk.

Additional Forms of Income That Can Help You Qualify For a Mortgage

You’ve found your dream home. There’s one problem: Your monthly household income needs to be higher. You can’t qualify for […]

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Senior man in a wheelchair painting at home

Selling Your Home to Move Into Senior Housing

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people over age 65 will require at […]

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Close-up of loan modification paper with "Approved" stamped on.

Loan Modification: What Is It and How to Qualify

A loan modification is a change to the terms of your home loan in order to help you avoid foreclosure. […]

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Mortgage Denial Reasons

What Happens if Your Mortgage Loan Gets Denied?

Securing a mortgage is a crucial step towards homeownership, but the journey is not always smooth. Mortgage denials can be […]

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How Much of a Down Payment Do I Need for a Mortgage?

Housing prices continue to escalate, and that has created a down payment problem for many potential homebuyers. Experts will tell […]

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The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) Explained

The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) was enacted in 1994 as an amendment to the Truth in Lending […]

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Complete Guide to Personal Loans

A personal loan is usually unsecured, meaning that the lender doesn’t require collateral, such as a home, car, or boat, […]

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