<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Dennis]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Right Loan for You- with Rock Bottom Rates!
Purchase or Refinance -- our Expert Advisers can guide you through the process  -- 10,000 loans closed]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 04:57:41 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.d-hughes.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[First Time Home Buyer Basic Tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[Home Buyer Tips-quick points]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/home-buyer-tips-quick-points</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd79298</guid><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loan Qualifying]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top posts]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:31:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_5c63cfc8a57444698e5a08fb772c85ca~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loan Process Steps]]></title><description><![CDATA[Consultation &#38; Pre-Qual Pre-qualification kicks off the loan process. A lender reviews your income and debts to estimate how much home you can afford. Because different loan programs can change your buying power, it’s super important the loan officer you're working with has the experience and ability to understand how your qualifying criteria may fit into the various loans available.  Debt ratio and how credit history and scores affect your buying power and ability to be approved should be...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/loan-process-steps</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dd2ee8798372f8ac839c68</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Qualifying]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_b01aaec37f284606834400b893f68eba~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your home loan rate has 2 elements you need to be aware of]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your "price" of your home loan is the rate plus any lender fees for that rate. The rule of thumb is the higher the rate, the lower the lender fee and vice versa. As an example, a rate of 4% could have lender fees of several thousand dollars, while a rate of 4.5% could have zero lender fees.  The 4% rate of course would have a lower monthly payment.  But is it worth it to pay lender fees to get that lower rate?  That depends on what makes sense for you, based on your unique situation--and the...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/the-2-components-of-mortgage-rates-upfront-cost-and-the-rate-itself</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dd2e210721f273f9e1ae2b</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:56:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_086dbcb295db4939a377aa4edc41ea05~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Fed Hike/Cut Means Very Little For Mortgage Rates]]></title><description><![CDATA[There's a common misconception that the Fed "sets" (or hikes/cuts) mortgage rates directly.  Even among people who know better, there is often a belief that changes in the Fed Funds Rate (the thing the Fed actually hikes/cuts) translate immediately in some direct way to changes in mortgage rates.  Although the Fed policy affects mortgage rates, it is only one of several factors that contribute to the direction of home loan rates. What is the Fed Funds Rate? The Fed Funds Rate is a target set...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/the-fed-hike-cut-doesn-t-means-very-little-for-mortgage-rates</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dd2d55c31b00fb8514544e</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:54:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_253ea09da147401ca75b4c7b2e4ebd23~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_941,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Locking Your Mortgage Rate]]></title><description><![CDATA[At some point during the mortgage process, the contract interest rate (the one that ends up on the Promissory Note--the most official document stipulating the terms of repayment) must be “locked.” This means that there is an agreement between the borrower and the lender regarding what the contract rate will be. The rate-lock will also specify a date by which the mortgage must be closed and funded. Lock Time Frames Rate lock time frames can vary. Historically, the most common time frame had...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/locking-your-mortgage-rate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dd2bd8e72e8bb038a7e8f9</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:47:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_e503fcf7c7ca4c53ba0d6f6ca3324c5b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[APR vs the Rate -what's the difference?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Closing costs and lower rates-what to know.  Why isn't the lowest interest rate the most advantageous option? Initially, lower rates typically entail higher lender fees (points). It's important to consider a break-even point when factoring in closing costs, points, and fees. For instance, if obtaining a specific rate costs $5k while a higher rate comes at no cost but results in a $100 higher monthly payment, it could take up to 50 months to reach the break-even point! Given that the average...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/how-rates-move-and-apr-vs-rate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dd29be798372f8ac838f09</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:42:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_7414a021282d4484a023d9f141b7e80b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shop the Loan price not the rate --what does that mean?]]></title><description><![CDATA[After my nearly 40 years in lending, there is one constant I can attest to.  The bigger the lender the higher their loan price!  What exactly is the loan price?  It's the combination of the rate and lender fee tied to that rate.  For example on a given day a rate might be 5% with $3k in lender fees, or 5.50% with $1k in lender fees.  The higher rate means less lender fees, while a lower rate has higher lender fees. Lenders who play the rate game know nearly everyone focuses on the rate and/or...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/shop-the-loan-price-not-the-rate-what-does-that-mean</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d97c9b75afb0779a70255f</guid><category><![CDATA[Top Rate tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><category><![CDATA[FHA loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[USDA loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[VA loan Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Conventional loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mortgage Brokers]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:50:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_d25d8768cdee4d9a8193df09ea463f69~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rate secrets you need to know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rate secrets you need to know]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/rate-secrets</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8ba3190cf849617143cb1</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mortgage Brokers]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top Rate tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:32:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_e5939e0727534b4ab1dbf9d637626624~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mortgage rate averages nationwide]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Rates move

Conventional and Government lenders set their rates based on the pricing of Mortgage-Backed Securities (called MBS) which ar]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/mortgage-rate-averages</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd7929b</guid><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top Rate tips]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:45:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_a258fdae467141819112d582d89d81ba~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[4Cs of home loan underwriting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Got turned down for a mortgage to buy a new home or refinance your current home? You’re not alone.
the first step is to figure out why]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/4cs-of-home-loan-underwriting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8ba3190cf849617143cb2</guid><category><![CDATA[Loan Qualifying]]></category><category><![CDATA[Credit Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:21:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_0530e321249f4c299d3838f665f8d858~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Property condition guide &#38; what inspections do lenders require?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Property condition is extremely confusing to real estate agents and their buyers, with lenders interpretations varying]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/your-title-what-s-your-blog-about</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd792a7</guid><category><![CDATA[Property Condition]]></category><category><![CDATA[Appraisal tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:58:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_122bb9fe52494a689ff021991841aa27~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Mortgage Broker rates are lower than banks and big lenders]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why are they lower? A well connected and well priced mortgage broker-especially a small one who owns their own loan company-will have much lower overhead than larger lenders and banks.  To simplify what this means to you--- a lender with high overhead must "markup" the wholesale cost of loan funds to turn a profit--a much larger markup than a lender with low overhead, like the small mortgage broker cited here.  And here is the fact most people don't know..... The big secret is all lenders,...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/why-mortgage-broker-rates-are-lower-than-banks-and-big-lenders</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7ee91a04fad40863e8aa4</guid><category><![CDATA[Top posts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mortgage Brokers]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:38:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_cc4099dc95f3475e85c9bdaed15240e7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_992,h_938,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[FHA minimum property standards and inspection requirements]]></title><description><![CDATA[FHA existing property condition screening checklist]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/fha-existing-property-condition-screening-checklist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd7929d</guid><category><![CDATA[Property Condition]]></category><category><![CDATA[Appraisal tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[FHA loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:05:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_cddff00a84164fe39b39971486281399~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_600,h_450,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Big lenders and the Rate Quote Game]]></title><description><![CDATA[The bigger the lender, the more you pay! -- Big offices, marketing costs and executive pay add up--- and the only way for them to be profitable is to pass those costs on to their borrowers!]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/big-lenders-and-the-rate-quote-game</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c18240adda444fefaed85e</guid><category><![CDATA[Mortgage Brokers]]></category><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top Rate tips]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:31:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_e55056b739e3448ba5d3df4b7cdb7f0e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[VA existing property Condition Screening checklist]]></title><description><![CDATA[The presence of any of these conditions below are required to be corrected to meet a property's MPR (minimum property requirements).  Most often it is a VA appraiser who will determine if a property does not meet MPRs. This list is for reference only and does not guarantee compliance with VA Minimum Property Requirements.  Minimum Property Requirements are to ensure the health and safety of the occupants and/or the marketability of the property. Some lenders may have in addition to this list,...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/va-existing-property-condition-screening-checklist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd792a3</guid><category><![CDATA[Property Condition]]></category><category><![CDATA[VA loan Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Appraisal tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:21:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_dfa10b77996b4cfd869932ac4a2b2a4e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_800,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rate Lock Tips to help you get the best rate]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mortgage interest rates -- just like stock prices -- change price daily and you can win or lose a little if you don't know what you're doing]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/rate-lock-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd7929e</guid><category><![CDATA[Top Rate tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rate Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:48:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_e503fcf7c7ca4c53ba0d6f6ca3324c5b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, how do these loan programs compare?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Loan programs have different costs and qualifying requirements.  Here are some tips to help you choose what's best for you based on your qualifying criteria and the property.  FYI-this article will not include any down payment assistance program info.  That will be covered in a different article. Quick tips on the 4 most common loan types The 4 most common loan types with their minimum down payment are listed below. Conventional (Fannie Mae &#38; Freddie Mac), FHA and VA typically have no maximum...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/mortgage-loan-programs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67913ca9e1de83c7afd79297</guid><category><![CDATA[Conventional loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[FHA loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[USDA loan tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[VA loan Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top posts]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:09:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_33d1955647834d9c96af406ad180169f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Refinance tips -is it worth it?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thinking about refinancing but not sure if it makes sense for your situation? What loan program is right for you? Is the refi cost worth it? Can I get some cash out from the refi and how would that affect my rate and payment? What other benefits are there to refinancing? Will it be a hassle or is it easy to do? Here are some tips to help you decide. Best tip -- in most scenarios, for every one percent in reduction from your current rate it will reduce your current principal and interest (PI)...]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/refinance-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c41eb7dbf1d5b60131d0e2</guid><category><![CDATA[Refinancing tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Top posts]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:43:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_0041c56d8446490286a7ffe6fe0c1590~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The ugly truth about buyer down payment assistance programs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rates &#38; lender fees are typically higher on a first mortgage when using a down payment assistance (DPA) program]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/the-ugly-truth-few-lenders-will-reveal-about-home-buyer-down-payment-assistance-programs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c016abf68fa4c22fbbdaab</guid><category><![CDATA[First Time Buyer]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:59:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_35f91489756749a59d30a3a1ccd8f508~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Manufactured home - loan tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[Things to know for each type of  manufactured home loan program]]></description><link>https://www.lend4less.com/post/manufactured-home-loan-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8ba3190cf849617143cb4</guid><category><![CDATA[Manufactured Home]]></category><category><![CDATA[Agent tips]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:14:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fdc94f_70c0a317a835433eb13d2ebc76f4e42c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_858,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Dennis Hughes NMLS #178729</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>