--- title: The Mortgage Statement Blog | Arkansas Mortgage | first-time home buying description: first-time home buying | 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 ## [Mortgages and the Self-Employed](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/304892/Mortgages-and-the-Self-Employed) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Wed, Jul 17, 2013 @ 03:57 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-229068221-jpg/images/92954474.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/304892/Mortgages-and-the-Self-Employed) Financial independence — the knowledge that you, not a corporation, control your economic destiny — is an empowering feeling and a huge motivating factor for people who become self-employed. [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/304892/Mortgages-and-the-Self-Employed) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/304892/Mortgages-and-the-Self-Employed#comments-listing) Tags: [How to buy a home](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home), [first-time home buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) ## [Monday Mortgage Memo: December 3, 2012](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/248443/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-3-2012) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Dec 03, 2012 @ 04:45 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/248443/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-3-2012) It's the first week of December and our low mortgage rates are still looking strong. While the national average for rates rose slightly in the last week, our rates remain unchanged. Let's hope they stay that way for a good bit longer.  If you are getting ready to refinance, make sure to read [this article from Yahoo! Homes](http://homes.yahoo.com/blogs/spaces/refinancing-avoid-five-blunders-173620701.html). It covers the five basic blunders anyone is liable to make when going through the refi process. We always encourage our applicants to research as much as they can before making decisions with their money. After all, knowledge is power when it comes to your finances. To help you research, we have a whole [Free Resources](http://www.blrmortgage.com/index.php?fuseaction=p0004.&mod=27) library to help get you started. And of course, feel free to contact any of our [Arkansas mortgage lenders](http://www.blrmortgage.com/central-arkansas-loan-officers/) if you have any questions.   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 online prequalification process you can access below.  [![Prequalify Online Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/168390/c6aa7374-16c3-4b65-91a2-3a542de1293c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/168390/c6aa7374-16c3-4b65-91a2-3a542de1293c) If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we would love to hear from you. Just [contact us](http://www.blrmortgage.com/contact-us/) and let us know what you need. For more information on [Arkansas mortgage rates](http://www.blrmortgage.com/what-are-todays-mortgage-rates/) and [Arkansas mortgage lenders](http://www.blrmortgage.com/central-arkansas-loan-officers/), check out our website.  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/248443/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-3-2012) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/248443/Monday-Mortgage-Memo-December-3-2012#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 buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) ## [How to Keep An Eye Out for Home Loan Scams](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/246467/How-to-Keep-An-Eye-Out-for-Home-Loan-Scams) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Wed, Nov 28, 2012 @ 11:38 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18407385-jpeg/images/istock_000020020382_medium-1.jpeg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/246467/How-to-Keep-An-Eye-Out-for-Home-Loan-Scams)  Just like any other industry, the mortgage-lending field is not without its bad apples. As a borrower, you have to keep an eye out for mortgage scams that can hurt everything from your credit score to your personal finances to your home ownership. Our number one priority is to help you get a home loan that benefits you the most. We want to make sure you pass through the mortgage process armed with the knowledge to keep yourself protected against potential mortgage scams.    [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/246467/How-to-Keep-An-Eye-Out-for-Home-Loan-Scams) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/246467/How-to-Keep-An-Eye-Out-for-Home-Loan-Scams#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 buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) ## [How to Apply for a Home Loan](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Oct 16, 2012 @ 09:44 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18407179-jpg/images/istock_000019227735xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) For the majority of first-time homebuyers, getting a mortgage is a must. A mortgage, however, can be a complex process for those who don’t do their research. It’s important to know exactly what will be required of you during the mortgage application process, because preparation is one major key to success. **** [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/234002/How-to-Apply-for-a-Home-Loan#comments-listing) Tags: [Get pre-qualified online](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/get-pre-qualified-online), [first-time home buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying), [choose a mortgage](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/choose-a-mortgage) ## [What to Expect at Closing for a Home Loan](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/225114/What-to-Expect-at-Closing-for-a-Home-Loan) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Tue, Sep 25, 2012 @ 10:43 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18405225-jpg/images/hires.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/225114/What-to-Expect-at-Closing-for-a-Home-Loan) The final step in buying a home is the closing. When you close on a home, you are finally making the home yours. [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/225114/What-to-Expect-at-Closing-for-a-Home-Loan) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/225114/What-to-Expect-at-Closing-for-a-Home-Loan#comments-listing) Tags: [Closing](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/closing), [first-time home buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) ## [5 Steps to Help First-Time Homebuyers Get a Mortgage Loan](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/204064/5-Steps-to-Help-First-Time-Homebuyers-Get-a-Mortgage-Loan) Posted by [Scott McElmurry](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/author/scott-mcelmurry) on Mon, Aug 13, 2012 @ 03:27 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/hs-fs/file-18406969-jpg/images/istock_000019202627xsmall.jpg) ](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/204064/5-Steps-to-Help-First-Time-Homebuyers-Get-a-Mortgage-Loan)                                                               [Read More](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/204064/5-Steps-to-Help-First-Time-Homebuyers-Get-a-Mortgage-Loan) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/bid/204064/5-Steps-to-Help-First-Time-Homebuyers-Get-a-Mortgage-Loan#comments-listing) Tags: [How to buy a home](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/how-to-buy-a-home), [credit score](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/credit-score), [first-time home buying](https://blog.blrmortgage.com/blog/topic/first-time-home-buying) [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 © 2015 [Privacy/Legal](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog) [Site Map](https://blrmortgage.hs-sites.com/blog)