How To’s

Homeowners often hear about the “mortgage interest deduction,” but the actual rules are more nuanced than many people realize. Whether the deduction benefits you depends on the type of property you own and how you file your taxes. Below is a practical overview of how mortgage interest deductions work. Mortgage Interest on a Primary Residence...

A cancelled check is a copy of a check that has already been processed by the bank. It includes important details that help verify a bank account for payments and reimbursements. This is most commonly required when submitting documentation for an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD). What Is a Cancelled Check? A cancelled check is a...

Borrowers working with STG Mortgage can securely review and sign their loan disclosures electronically using DocMagic. This digital signing process allows you to complete your documents online without printing, scanning, or mailing paperwork. The process can be completed from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s exactly how to complete the process from start to finish....

Applying for a Certificate of Error If you believe you were eligible for a Homeowner Property Tax Exemption in a previous tax year but did not receive it, you may be able to apply for a Certificate of Error. This process allows eligible homeowners to retroactively apply for missed exemptions and potentially receive a property...

When your lender uses PennyMac TPO to deliver disclosures, you’ll receive an email letting you know that your documents are ready to review and sign. The process is simple and can be done on your phone, tablet, or computer. This guide walks you through each step so you can complete your PennyMac disclosures quickly and...

If your lender is NexBank, you’ll receive your Initial Disclosures electronically through DocMagic — a secure platform that lets you review and sign important loan documents online. This fast, paperless process helps you keep your mortgage moving without the need to print or mail anything. Here’s exactly how to complete your e-signing from start to...

If your loan is serviced by Freedom Mortgage, you can easily request a payoff statement online, by phone, or by fax. A payoff statement shows the total amount needed to pay off your mortgage in full and includes your unpaid principal balance, accrued interest, escrow balance, and any outstanding fees. Whether you’re selling your home,...

If your lender is Newfi Lending, you’ll receive your initial disclosures electronically through their secure online portal. This allows you to review, sign, and deliver documents instantly — no printing or mailing required. By signing electronically, you can: Here’s exactly how to complete the process, step by step. Step-by-Step: How to e-Sign Disclosures with Newfi...

If your lender is Dart Bank, you’ll receive your disclosure package through their secure online signing system. This allows you to review, consent, and electronically sign important documents without printing or mailing. By signing electronically, you can: Here’s exactly how to complete the process, step by step. Step-by-Step: How to e-Sign Disclosures with The Dart...

If your lender is The Loan Store (TLS), you’ll receive disclosures through their secure Borrower Portal. This lets you create your account, review, and e-sign documents quickly – no paper, printing, or mailing required. By signing electronically, you can: Here’s exactly how to complete the process, step by step. Step-by-Step: How to e-Sign Disclosures with...

If you need a detailed record of your Ally Bank account activity (different from an official monthly statement), you can easily download your transaction history online. This can be useful for budgeting, financial reviews, or providing documentation for your mortgage application. Follow this step-by-step guide to download and print your Ally Bank transaction history. Downloading...

When applying for a mortgage with UnrealFi, you may be asked to provide official bank statements. If you bank with Ally, the good news is that it’s quick and easy to access your statements directly online. Follow this step-by-step guide to download and print your Ally Bank statement. Accessing Ally Bank Statements 1. Log In...

If you receive Social Security benefits, you may be asked to provide official proof of your income for a mortgage application or financial review. The Benefit Verification Letter is an official document issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is widely accepted by lenders. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get...

If your lender is PowerTPO, you’ll receive your loan disclosures through their secure online signing system. This lets you review, sign, and return important loan documents quickly — no printing, scanning, or mailing needed. By signing electronically, you: Here’s everything you need to know to create your account, log in, and complete your disclosure tasks....

If your lender is ResiCentral, you’ll receive your loan disclosures through their secure online signing system. This process lets you review, sign, and return important documents without the hassle of printing, scanning, or mailing anything. By signing electronically, you can: The whole process usually takes little time — and you can complete it on your...

If your mortgage is currently serviced by Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing and you need to order a payoff statement—whether for a refinance, a sale, or a mortgage review—you can do it quickly and securely through your online account. This guide will walk you step by step through the process so you know exactly what to do....

If your lender is Mortgage Boutique, you’ll receive your loan disclosures through their secure online signing system. This allows you to review, sign, and return important documents quickly and securely — no printing, scanning, or mailing required. By signing electronically, you: Here’s the step-by-step guide to make the process smooth and simple. Step-by-Step: How to...

Borrowers working with FCM TPO can securely review and electronically sign their disclosures through the ICE platform. This convenient process eliminates the need to print, scan, or mail documents, and can be completed from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. By signing electronically, you can: The whole process usually takes little time — and you can...

When applying for a mortgage with UnrealFi, you may be asked to upload documents—such as bank statements, pay stubs, or signed disclosures—through our secure portal. Sometimes these files can be too large to upload, especially if they were scanned at high resolution. That’s where PDF compression comes in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through...

If you’ve been asked to sign documents as part of your mortgage application process, DocuSign offers a fast, secure, and fully digital way to complete them. Whether you’re reviewing disclosures, providing consent, or signing loan documents, DocuSign makes it simple to handle everything from your computer or mobile device. In this guide, we’ll walk you...

As crypto becomes more mainstream, many clients ask if they can use their cryptocurrency holdings—like Bitcoin or Ethereum—as part of their mortgage documentation. The good news is: yes, you can—but with conditions. This guide explains when and how crypto documents can be used to support your mortgage application and what lenders typically expect. What Crypto...

Thinking of buying your first home? That’s a big milestone — and you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’re using a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, there’s a good chance you’ll need to take a homebuyer education course. But don’t worry — this course is designed to help, not...

Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, refinancing, or just organizing your financial records, your IRS tax transcripts can serve as an official record of your income, filings, and tax return status. These transcripts are often requested by lenders to verify income or tax filing history — especially for self-employed borrowers or those with complex income...

If you’re applying for a mortgage and you hold cryptocurrency assets with Binance, your lender or financial advisor may ask for a formal account statement. This is a common and straightforward request, especially when digital assets form part of your financial profile. Binance offers an Account Statement function that allows you to produce a snapshot...