Home Loans

Are you getting ready to dive into your first home purchase? Before doing so, it’s helpful to learn the difference between two types of loans offered by banks, to make an educated decision. These two loans are Portfolio and Secondary Market Loans.  Ultimately, deciding which of these loans is best for you, will depend on your preferences and unique circumstances.

Portfolio loans are both owned and managed by your local bank. ...

While putting 20% down on a home loan is the most cost-efficient option long-term, we understand that down payments can be difficult for many families to make. To assist home buyers who are unable to put at least 20% down on a home loan, Prevail Bank offers what is called Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI for short.* PMI was established to help more homebuyers afford...

While finding the best rate on a home mortgage is important, so is finding the best mortgage lender to work with you. Home buyers typically make mortgage payments over the course of multiple years, so it’s important to work with a lender who can deliver on your home lending needs. There are many criteria to consider when finding a mortgage lender to work with; experience, communication, insight and credibility.

Taking a loan out on a house is no small feat, and our...

The Downpayment Plus Program (DPP) is a matching program offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) that assists income-eligible home buyers with their down payments and closing costs. The Prevail Bank Mortgage Lending Team is proud to offer this assistance through our partnership with the FHLBC. The Downpayment Plus Program is provided as a forgivable grant, which is paid on behalf of the borrower at the time the mortgage is first closed upon.

In today’s digital world, we have options to do nearly everything online. We can shop for groceries, order a new outfit, and even buy the latest sports car online. At Prevail Bank, we believe that local mortgage lenders will never go out of style. We offer the convenience of online applications, or, by your preferred method of communication; email, phone call, or even text. But most importantly, your lender is always here when you need them, at the point of application,...

Understanding your credit report is important when you’re looking to make large purchases such as financing a car, or a home mortgage. But what exactly is a credit report? A credit report works much like your high school report card, but for your finances. These reports contain a record of how and when you pay your bills, how much debt you have, and how long you have been managing your lines of credit.

The information in your credit report is used to...

Saving enough money for a down payment on a home can be challenging. This is one of the largest issues many homebuyers face when applying for a mortgage loan. A down payment on a home is simply a percentage of the total cost that a buyer has to pay up front.

Minimum down payments are typically based on three sets of criteria; the type of mortgage, the lender, and your financial situation and history. Depending on the...

A mortgage pre-approval qualifies you with the amount of available money you can borrow, including your monthly payment, and your interest rate. This amount is typically subject to a property appraisal and other requirements. Mortgage pre-approvals are determined by a Mortgage Loan Originator who reviews your finances. This includes your debt, income amount, assets and credit history. Following the pre-approval evaluation, a letter is then provided as proof...

Interest rates are still historically low, but rising. The housing market is strong. The economy is on the upswing… You've decided now's the time: you're going to buy your first house. It can be an intimidating process, so here are a few tips to help your transition from renter to owner go smoothly:

1: Do Your Research
The first—and most crucial—step in home buying is to determine how much you're able to spend. That includes knowing how much...

Is your credit score affecting your life? Understanding your credit score can be confusing. Here are some helpful tips to help understand how to improve your credit score and get your life back on track.