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Brai Odion-Esene

Contributor

About

Brai is the founder of SW4 Insights, a public policy advisory firm based in Washington D.C. He has over a decade of experience as a journalist and consultant covering finance and economic policy, with a particular focus on distilling complex topics to inform readers' decision-making.

  • FHA Loan Closing Costs

    Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are mortgages that offer flexible eligibility guidelines to help borrowers. FHA loan borrowers may qualify with lower credit scores and smaller down payments than other mortgage programs. But like with most mortgages, borrowers still pay...
    FHA Loan Closing Costs

  • Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Review 2024

    Guaranteed Rate is a Chicago-based lender that offers mortgages and personal loans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Though it operates primarily online, you can visit one of Guaranteed Rate’s 390 branches across the U.S. With Guaranteed Rate, borrowers...
    Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Review 2024

  • FHA Loan Down Payments

    For many prospective homebuyers, coming up with a down payment can be a massive obstacle to homeownership, especially when home prices are high. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are one of several mortgage programs that offer low down payments. What...
    FHA Loan Down Payments

  • What Is A Purchase Money Mortgage?

    If you’re running into problems qualifying for a conventional mortgage to buy a home, there are other options you can explore. One such option is a purchase money mortgage, also known as seller or owner financing. A purchase money mortgage...
    What Is A Purchase Money Mortgage?

  • What To Look For When Buying A House

    Buying a house is a major decision. It's critical to know what to look for when buying a house so you enter the process with clarity and purpose. Having criteria for your dream home and neighborhood could mean the difference...
    What To Look For When Buying A House

  • How Do Realtors And Real Estate Agents Get Paid?

    A good Realtor or real estate agent makes a huge difference when buying or selling a house. They gather and provide important background information on local housing market conditions, help you devise the best strategy to attract buyers, and guide...
    How Do Realtors And Real Estate Agents Get Paid?

  • How To Find Out Who Owns A Property You Want

    You are in the market for your first home or an investment property, and you happen to walk by your dream house, the ideal fixer-upper or a plot of land in a great location to build a vacation home. One...
    How To Find Out Who Owns A Property You Want

  • What Is A HUD Home, And How Do You Buy One?

    Through programs run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), HUD homes are properties the government has acquired after foreclosure if the property was purchased using a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. To recoup the government’s financial...
    What Is A HUD Home, And How Do You Buy One?

  • Getting A Mortgage After Foreclosure

    Going through the financial hardship of a foreclosure can be overwhelming. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, though. It’s possible to qualify for another mortgage after experiencing a foreclosure—with some patience and hard work. Getting another mortgage...
    Getting A Mortgage After Foreclosure

  • How Buying A HomePath Property Works

    Buying a house in today’s market can be daunting, and finding an affordable home can be an even bigger challenge. One option to consider that might check the affordability box and require less haggling is HomePath homes sold by Fannie...
    How Buying A HomePath Property Works

  • Should You Buy A House With Cash?

    All-cash home purchases are a regular feature of today’s housing market, especially for those buying a second home or an investment property. According to the National Association of Realtors, 26% of purchases of existing homes in November 2022 were cash...
    Should You Buy A House With Cash?

  • Home Equity Loan Vs. Mortgage Vs. HELOC

    Mortgages and home equity loans are both forms of borrowing that use your home as collateral. Mortgages are used by prospective buyers to fund the purchase of a home, whereas home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC)...
    Home Equity Loan Vs. Mortgage Vs. HELOC

  • What Is A Blanket Mortgage?

    If you are trying to buy more than one investment property, the last thing you probably want to do is apply for separate mortgage loans each time. The odds of qualifying for consecutive purchase loans are low, and multiple applications...
    What Is A Blanket Mortgage?

  • How To Avoid Mortgage Fraud

    Financial crimes targeting unwary consumers are a regular occurrence, especially incidents involving fraud and identity theft. One example of this is mortgage fraud. According to housing data firm CoreLogic, higher risks were recorded during the second quarter of 2022, particularly...
    How To Avoid Mortgage Fraud

  • Mortgage Calculator

    A mortgage is often a necessary part of buying a home, but it can be difficult to understand what you can actually afford. A mortgage calculator can help borrowers estimate their monthly mortgage payments based on the purchase price, down...
    Mortgage Calculator

  • TD Bank Auto Loan Review 2024

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Toronto-Dominion (TD) Auto Finance was originally founded in 1964 as Chrysler Financial before it was acquired by and became a division of TD Bank in December 2010. TD Auto Finance is an indirect lender, meaning that...
    TD Bank Auto Loan Review 2024

  • Does Paying Off A Car Loan Early Hurt Your Credit?

    If you’re approaching the end of your car loan term, you may be thinking about paying off the note early but are wondering if doing so will hurt your credit score. Paying off your car loan early will hurt your...
    Does Paying Off A Car Loan Early Hurt Your Credit?

  • Auto Refinance Calculator

    If you took out an auto loan to buy your car, you might be thinking about refinancing. Refinancing can help you get a better interest rate to save money or pay off your loan faster by reducing the repayment period....
    Auto Refinance Calculator

  • USDA Mortgage Loan Calculator

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income Americans through several loan, grant and loan guarantee programs. For qualified borrowers, USDA loans are provided directly through USDA Rural Development or from an approved lender. Use...
    USDA Mortgage Loan Calculator

  • How To Refinance Your Mortgage

    There are several reasons why you might choose to refinance your mortgage, such as if you can qualify for a lower interest rate or pay off your mortgage faster. But before you proceed, it’s important to understand the potential downsides...
    How To Refinance Your Mortgage

  • What You Should Know About Co-Signing A Car Loan

    If someone you know—like a close friend or a relative—wants to apply for a car loan but is worried about being rejected, they might seek help. Perhaps they have bad credit or a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Either way, they...
    What You Should Know About Co-Signing A Car Loan

  • What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do?

    Buying or selling real estate is a major decision—and a significant investment. If you factor in the complexity of real estate laws, even the smallest misstep could cost you money. This is why you might need a real estate attorney...
    What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do?

  • Current Cash-Out Refinance Rates

    If you’ve built up some equity in your home, a cash-out refinance could be an option to access cash when you need it, such as to remodel your home or consolidate debt. This type of refinance pays off and replaces...
    Current Cash-Out Refinance Rates

  • Best Mortgage Lenders For First-Time Home Buyers Of 2024

    First-time home buyers often have small down payments and lower credit scores. These characteristics can make it more challenging to qualify for a mortgage—and make mortgages more expensive for those who do qualify. Forbes Advisor compiled a list of lenders...
    Best Mortgage Lenders For First-Time Home Buyers Of 2024

  • Can You Sell Your House After Refinancing?

    If you’re thinking about selling your house but it needs sprucing up before you put it on the market—or you would like to lower your interest rate in the meantime—then you can refinance your mortgage loan before selling your house....
    Can You Sell Your House After Refinancing?

  • PNC Auto Loan Review 2024

    PNC Bank is one of the largest financial services institutions in the U.S., with approximately 2,600 retail branches and a presence in all of the country’s 30 largest markets. Outside of its physical locations, PNC has expanded primarily through an...
    PNC Auto Loan Review 2024

  • Is A Home Equity Loan A Good Idea?

    For homeowners who are looking to tap into their home’s equity for extra cash, a home equity loan might be a good option. However, this type of loan also comes with risks to keep in mind, such as the possibility...
    Is A Home Equity Loan A Good Idea?

  • 4 Things To Know Before Refinancing Your Car Loan

    After taking out a loan to purchase a vehicle, you might consider refinancing to help you pay off that debt. If you refinance your car loan, you can get a better interest rate or change your repayment terms—which could save...
    4 Things To Know Before Refinancing Your Car Loan

  • Can You Return A Car You Just Bought?

    Buying a car can be a big decision, and unfortunately, some buyers end up regretting their purchase. In most cases, you won’t be able to return a car you just bought. However, there are some special situations that might entitle...
    Can You Return A Car You Just Bought?

  • What Are The Requirements For A HELOC?

    A home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a good option if you’re looking to tap into your home’s equity—for example, to pay for home improvements or to consolidate debt. Like with other loans, there are common requirements to...
    What Are The Requirements For A HELOC?

About

Brai is the founder of SW4 Insights, a public policy advisory firm based in Washington D.C. He has over a decade of experience as a journalist and consultant covering finance and economic policy, with a particular focus on distilling complex topics to inform readers' decision-making.