---
title: The Mortgage Statement Blog | Arkansas Mortgage | first-time home buyer
description: first-time home buyer | Bank of Little Rock Mortgage's blog on everything from home loans to refinancing
---

[![Bank Of Little Rock Mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logo-1.png?width=730&height=217&name=logo-1.png "Bank Of Little Rock Mortgage")](http://www.blrmortgage.com/)

# The Mortgage Statement

## [Monday Mortgage Memo: December 10, 2012](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/252896/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-10-2012)

 Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Dec 17, 2012 @ 02:16 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/252896/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-10-2012)

Rates are still at the same low level as they were last week, so they are standing firm at their historic-low records. 

If you are considering a refinance, it is important to first calculate how much money a refinance would cost you and how much the refi could save you. Here is a [great article from GoBankingRates.com](http://www.gobankingrates.com/mortgage-rates/how-to-calculate-how-much-refinance-rates-save-mortgage-loan/) that guide you through the calculating process. And feel free to use our easy [Arkansas Mortgage Calculators](http://www.blrmortgage.com/simple-mortgage-calculators/) to help with the math. 

Bank of Little Rock Mortgage is also rolling out a new blog to provide our experience and expertise on mortgage finance, written in plain English for you to follow easily. We call it [The Mortgage Statement](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog).  

Are you interested in seeing if you prequalify for a home loan? We have a quick-and-easy way for you to [get prequalified for a mortgage online.](http://www.blrmortgage.com/get-preapproved-for-a-home-loan/)

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we would love to hear from you. Just [contact our Arkansas Mortgage Lenders](http://www.blrmortgage.com/contact-us/) and let us know what you need. 

Happy Monday,

Scott McElmurry

President & CEO of Bank of Little Rock Mortgage

NOTE: Your mortgage rate can be affected by a number of factors, including your credit score, loan-to-value ratio, your down payment and the loan program you choose. No matter what, we'll always find you the best mortgage loan at the best rate, guaranteed. For more information, visit our [Today's Rates](http://www.blrmortgage.com/what-are-todays-mortgage-rates/) page.  

[Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/252896/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-10-2012)

 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/252896/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-10-2012#comments-listing)

 Tags: [mortgage rates](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-rates), [How do I refinance](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-refinance), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer)

## [As a Homeowner, Am I Required to Have Mortgage Insurance](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/244891/As-a-Homeowner-Am-I-Required-to-Have-Mortgage-Insurance)

 Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Nov 19, 2012 @ 01:18 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18406766-jpg/images/istock_000018554166xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/244891/As-a-Homeowner-Am-I-Required-to-Have-Mortgage-Insurance)

After you spend a great deal of money on a house, the last thing want to think about having is paying even more for insurance. One insurance bill you will be paying is homeowner’s insurance, which helps pay for large-scale home repairs after damages to your property. However, there is also mortgage insurance, which has less to do with your property and more to do with your actual mortgage payments. There are generally two types of mortgage insurance: Private Mortgage Insurance and Mortgage Life Insurance.

[Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/244891/As-a-Homeowner-Am-I-Required-to-Have-Mortgage-Insurance)

 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/244891/As-a-Homeowner-Am-I-Required-to-Have-Mortgage-Insurance#comments-listing)

 Tags: [mortgage insurance](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-insurance), [Mortgage payment](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-payment), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer)

## [Monday Mortgage Memo: November 12, 2012](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012)

 Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 @ 02:21 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-28702721-jpeg/images/blrm_email20banner_green_600x2002.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012)

[Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012)

 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/243190/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-November-12-2012#comments-listing)

 Tags: [How do I refinance](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-refinance), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage)

## [KATV Live: A Few Tips for First-Time Home Buyers](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers)

 Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Fri, Oct 19, 2012 @ 08:57 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers)

 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234130/KATV-Live-A-Few-Tips-for-First-Time-Home-Buyers#comments-listing)

 Tags: [How to buy a home](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage)

## [How to Choose the Mortgage Right for You](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You)

 Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Thu, Oct 11, 2012 @ 10:13 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18406216-jpg/images/istock_000011618280xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You)

When looking for the right mortgage, the most important question to answer is, “Which mortgage type is right for my financial situation?” This means a few things:

[Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You)

 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/232700/How-to-Choose-the-Mortgage-Right-for-You#comments-listing)

 Tags: [Get prequalified online](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-prequalified-online), [first-time home buyer](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage)

[All Posts](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/all)

### Subscribe Email

### Latest Posts

### Posts by category

- [choose a mortgage (10)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage)
- [Closing (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/closing)
- [credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/credit-score)
- [Current mortgage rates (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/current-mortgage-rates)
- [first-time home buyer (5)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buyer)
- [first-time home buying (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying)
- [Get pre-qualified online (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-pre-qualified-online)
- [Get preapproved online (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-preapproved-online)
- [Get prequalified online (3)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-prequalified-online)
- [how do I calculate my credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-calculate-my-credit-score)
- [How do I refinance (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-do-i-refinance)
- [How to buy a home (7)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home)
- [mortgage insurance (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-insurance)
- [Mortgage payment (5)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-payment)
- [mortgage rates (6)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/mortgage-rates)
- [preapproval (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/preapproval)
- [prequalification (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/prequalification)
- [refinance your home (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/refinance-your-home)
- [Rent vs. Buy (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/rent-vs-buy)
- [what is a credit score (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-a-credit-score)
- [what is exactly is a mortgage refinance (1)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-exactly-is-a-mortgage-refinance)
- [what is involved in buying a home (2)](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/what-is-involved-in-buying-a-home)

### Follow Me

<https://blog.blrmortgage.com/CMS/UI/Modules/BizBlogger/rss.aspx?moduleid=1537115><https://twitter.com/BLRMortgage>

© 2015 [Privacy/Legal](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog) [Site Map](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog)