Mortgage 101
in Arizona: Understanding the Basics of Mortgages

Buying a home is exciting—but let’s be honest, the terms can feel like a new language. That’s why we created this easy-to-navigate mortgage glossary.

Are you just starting your home-buying journey? Or are you brushing up on your knowledge before you invest in another property? This is your one-stop resource for mortgage basics in Arizona.

Why You Need to Know the Terms

Understanding the industry isn’t just about sounding smart at an open house. Mortgage 101 helps you:

• Make better financial decisions
• Compare loan options with ease
• Ask the right questions
• Avoid surprises at closing

Scout Mortgage believes informed borrowers make empowered homeowners.

Real Terms, Real Expectations

This isn’t your average mortgage dictionary. We’ve ditched the jargon and delivered real explanations in plain English. Click any term below to explore a simple, helpful breakdown that actually makes sense. You’re getting a crash course on Mortgage Industry 101.

You don’t need to become a mortgage expert overnight. But getting familiar with these terms puts you in the driver’s seat during the mortgage process.

When it’s time to choose a lender, lock in a rate, or close on your home, you’ll be confident. If you ever feel overwhelmed, that’s normal. Mortgage 101 is here to guide you, step by step.

Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Mortgages don’t have to be confusing, and you don’t have to figure it all out alone. If you run into a term that doesn’t quite click or if you’re ready to talk numbers and next steps, we’re just a click away.

At Scout Mortgage, we’re all about cutting through the noise. Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or exploring investment properties, we’re here to make the process as smooth (and stress-free) as possible.

Got a question? Want a real person to walk you through it?

Reach out anytime. We’ll talk you through the options and help you feel confident every step of the way.

Applying for a mortgage can seem like a daunting and scary process. To help, we’ve created a mortgage basics checklist of things for you to compile, complete and acknowledge before applying. See the fill list by clicking learn more below.

Credit history is a recorded file of past and current credit utilized to compile a credit score. Read about credit, how it works, how to improve your score and more by clicking learn more below.

A closing cost is a payment required to finalize a home loan and is separate from a down-payment. Read about closing cost, their purpose, how you can pay them and more by clicking learn more below.

An appraisal is an estimate of a property’s fair market value. Lenders require it to ensure the loan amount is not more than the property value. Read about appraisals, how they work, ownership and more by clicking learn more below.

Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is insurance that protects a lender from increased risk from borrowers putting less than 20% down on a house. Read about PMI, how it works, cost and more by clicking learn more below.

Refinancing your mortgage is a common practice. Many use it to lower monthly payments, interest rates, lower DTI and more. Read about refinancing, how it works, cost and more by clicking learn more below.