Your Questions, Answered.

As a mortgage broker empowered by NEXA Lending, Apex has access to over 290 wholesale lenders — which means we shop the market on your behalf to find the best rate and program for your specific situation. Banks can only offer their own products at their own rates. We work for you, not a single institution. Add to that our dedicated coaching culture, experienced loan officers, and personalized service, and the difference becomes clear.

Apex Loan Group is licensed to lend across multiple states through NEXA Lending's national platform. Reach out directly and we'll confirm whether we can serve your area — in most cases, the answer is yes. Our team is set up to work with borrowers remotely, so geography rarely gets in the way.

To get pre-approved, you'll typically need: two years of tax returns and W-2s (or 1099s if self-employed), your two most recent pay stubs, two to three months of bank statements, and a government-issued ID. Your loan officer will provide a personalized checklist based on your loan type and situation — it's usually simpler than people expect.

It depends on the loan type. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% down, FHA loans require 3.5%, and VA loans require no down payment at all for eligible veterans and service members. Putting 20% down eliminates private mortgage insurance (PMI) on conventional loans, but it's far from a requirement. Your loan officer will walk you through the tradeoffs so you can decide what makes the most sense for your financial picture.

Your monthly payment is made up of principal, interest, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and — if applicable — mortgage insurance. The exact amount depends on your loan amount, interest rate, loan term, and local tax rates. Your loan officer will run detailed payment scenarios for you early in the process so there are no surprises. A good rule of thumb: most lenders prefer your total housing payment to be no more than 28–31% of your gross monthly income.

Buying down your rate — also called paying "discount points" — typically costs 1% of the loan amount per point, and each point generally reduces your interest rate by about 0.25%. Whether it makes sense depends on how long you plan to stay in the home. Your loan officer can run a break-even analysis to show you exactly when the upfront cost pays off and whether a buydown is worth it for your situation.

Minimum credit score requirements vary by loan type. Conventional loans typically require a 620 or higher, FHA loans can go as low as 580 (with 3.5% down) or even 500 in some cases, and VA loans have no official minimum — though most lenders look for 580–620. That said, a higher score almost always means a better rate. Even if your score isn't where you'd like it, talk to us — we may have options, or a clear plan to get you there.

The most impactful steps are: pay down revolving balances (ideally below 30% of each card's limit), make all payments on time, avoid opening new accounts or taking on new debt, and don't close old accounts you're not using. Even a modest score improvement — say 20–30 points — can move you into a lower rate tier and save thousands over the life of a loan. Your loan officer can do a rapid rescore analysis and recommend the highest-impact actions specific to your credit profile.

Most purchase transactions close in 21–30 days from a complete application. Refinances can sometimes move faster. Timelines vary based on loan type, how quickly documents are submitted, and property-specific factors. We work hard to keep things moving and communicate every step of the way so you're never left wondering where things stand.

In the right circumstances, we can close in as little as 14–17 days. Speed depends on how quickly you can provide documentation, the loan type, and the property itself. If a fast close is a priority — say, you're competing in a tight market — let us know upfront and we'll structure the process to move as quickly as possible.

For new construction, rate lock periods can extend from 90 days up to 12 months depending on the lender and program. Longer locks typically come with a slightly higher rate or a fee, but they give you certainty during the build. We'll help you weigh the cost of locking longer against the risk of rates moving — and find the right balance for your timeline and risk tolerance.

Yes — adding a co-signer (or non-occupant co-borrower) is a common and effective way to strengthen a loan application. The co-signer's income and credit are factored into the qualification, which can help you qualify for a larger loan or a better rate. Keep in mind that the co-signer takes on legal responsibility for the debt, so it's a commitment that should be made thoughtfully on both sides.

Yes, in most cases. Gift funds from a family member are allowed on conventional, FHA, and VA loans, though the rules vary slightly by program. On FHA loans, the entire down payment can come from a gift. On conventional loans, it depends on how much you're putting down. The gift typically needs to be documented with a signed gift letter confirming it doesn't need to be repaid. Your loan officer will walk you through exactly what's needed.