Author

Andrew Tavin, Personal Finance Writer

Andrew Tavin is a personal finance writer who covers a wide-range of financial topics from home lending to personal loans. His work has been published across several personal finance sites, including Own Up, OppU, and Discover.

Tavin’s experience as a comedian lends an approachable and entertaining angle to his content, making his articles easy to understand and jargon-free. He has created educational and humorous content for a variety of media outlets such as BrainPOP and the National Retail Federation. His work has also been cited by Wikipedia, Crunchbase, and Hacker News.

Tavin is a Certified Financial Education Instructor through the National Financial Educators Council. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in TV Writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Articles by Andrew Tavin

Mortgage Advisors

How to Find and Compare the Best Mortgage Rates

Discover 6 key questions and smart steps to compare lenders, avoid hidden fees, and possibly save thousands on your mortgage rate.

First Home Loan

Why Mortgage Appraisals Take So Long (Timeline & Causes)

Why mortgage appraisals take so long: causes, typical timelines, and practical steps to reduce delays and protect your closing.

First Home Loan

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a House?

See when you're legally able to buy and what lenders require: credit, income, DTI, down payment, plus practical tips to qualify as a young buyer.

First Home Loan

How to Buy a House From Another State

Practical guide to buying a home from another state: remote pre-approval, finding agents, inspections, closings and smooth moving tips.

First Home Loan

Condo Questionnaire: What It Is and Do You Need It?

Understand condo questionnaires: what lenders check, common red flags that can block financing, and how to prepare your HOA to avoid closing delays.

First Home Loan

Documents Needed to Apply for a Mortgage

Complete mortgage document checklist: which income, asset, ID, condo & refinance papers to gather now to speed your loan approval.

First Home Loan

Earnest Money Deposit: What It Is and How It Works

Understand the earnest money deposit—what it is, typical 1–2% amounts, escrow/contingency refund rules, and tips to strengthen your offer.

Mortgage Advisors

Property Types: How Lenders Evaluate Occupancy

Understand how primary, second-home, and investment properties affect mortgage approval, rates, and loans so you can choose the right financing.

Mortgage Advisors

Fixed vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages: Pros and Cons

Compare fixed vs. adjustable mortgages to find which saves you money or offers predictable payments—pick the right loan for your timeline and budget.

Mortgage Advisors

MIP Vs PMI: FHA Vs Conventional Mortgage Insurance

PMI vs MIP: how they affect your monthly payment and simple options—bigger down payment, refinance, or different loan—to lower or remove mortgage insurance.