Finance Media Queries for 06/24/25

This afternoon media mention opportunities come from Better.com and more!

Jun 24, 2025

∙ Paid

Please send your replies direct to the journalist at the contact email provided in each request.

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1) SUMMARY: Need experts: How to lower your mortgage payments

NAME: Erik Martin

CONTACT EMAIL: martinspiration@gmail.com

MUCK RACK URL: https://muckrack.com/erik-martin-3

MEDIA OUTLET: Better.com

MEDIA WEBSITE: https://www.better.com/content

DEADLINE DATE: 2025-06-26

DEADLINE TIME: 01:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

QUERY: Hello. I'm writing an article this week for Better.com and am seeking to interview personal finance experts, business/finance faculty, real estate experts, and other subject matter experts (NO lending professionals please) on the following topic, details below.

Please let me know if you would like to participate.

Thanks!

How to lower your mortgage payments.

This story will explain different strategies for lowering your mortgage payments, factors to consider before doing so, and more.

QUESTIONS:

1. Please explain the different components of your mortgage payments and how and why they are split up and determined by your lender, including:

A. Principal

B. Interest

C. Taxes

D. Insurance

2. Please explain the different strategies for lowering your mortgage payments, including details on how to do so, the pros and cons, and who qualifies and how for each of these:

A. Refinance your mortgage

B. Recast your loan

C. Cancel your PMI

D. Make extra payments

E. Any other strategies?

3. What factors should you carefully consider before attempting to lower your mortgage payments, including:

A. The refinancing costs

B. Your breakeven point

C. If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

D. Any others?

4. Are there any circumstances under which you are allowed to skip a mortgage payment? Please explain with details.

5. Does paying your closing costs lower your mortgage payment in any way?

6. What is the best way/frequency to make accelerated mortgage payments and why?

7. Anything else you'd like to add?

8. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?

_____

2) SUMMARY: How a VA cash-out refinance works

NAME: Erik Martin

CONTACT EMAIL: martinspiration@gmail.com

MUCK RACK URL: https://muckrack.com/erik-martin-3

MEDIA OUTLET: Rocket Mortgage

MEDIA WEBSITE: https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn

DEADLINE DATE: 2025-06-26

DEADLINE TIME: 01:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

QUERY: Hello. I'm a freelance writer with Rocket Mortgage. I'm seeking to interview business/finance faculty, personal finance experts, real estate attorneys, and other professionals for the following story (no lending professionals please):

How a VA cash-out refinance works.

This article will explore a cash-out refinance of a VA home loan: how it works, how to apply, who is eligible, how much it costs, pros and cons, and more.

I can only accept full-sentence written responses (which I can use as quotes) for this article, but please contact me first if you are interested in participating, before writing any responses to the questions below.

Thanks for participating!

QUESTIONS:

1. Please define and explain what a VA cash-out refinance is and how it works.

2. How do you apply for a VA cash-out refinance? Please list the steps in numbered order.

3. Who is eligible for a VA cash-out refinance? What are the service requirements, certificate of eligibility requirements, and lender requirements?

4. What are the pros and cons of pursuing a VA cash-out refinance? Please provide detailed responses here.

5. How much does a VA cash-out refi cost?

6. What's the difference between a VA cash-out refi versus a VA streamline refinance?

7. What alternatives are there to a VA cash-out refinance, including: VA streamline refi, conventional cash-out refi, home equity loan, HELOC, etc.?

8. I you required to take out cash if you get a VA cash-out refinance? How much?

9. What are the VA cash-out refi credit score requirements?

10. Can you do a 100% VA cash-out refinance?

11. Is an appraisal required for a VA cash-out refinance?

12. Anything else to add?

13. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location (YOU MUST BE U.S.-BASED), email address, website bio address, and LinkedIn URL?

_____

3) SUMMARY: What is mortgage modification and how do you get one?

NAME: Erik Martin

CONTACT EMAIL: martinspiration@gmail.com

MUCK RACK URL: https://muckrack.com/erik-martin-3

MEDIA OUTLET: Better.com

MEDIA WEBSITE: https://www.better.com/content

DEADLINE DATE: 2025-06-26

DEADLINE TIME: 01:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

Please let me know if you would like to participate.

Thanks!

What is a mortgage modification, and how do you get one?

This story will explain what a loan modification is, how to get one, who qualifies, loan modification types, and more.

QUESTIONS:

1. Please define and explain what a mortgage modification is and how it works.

2. What are the different mortgage loan modification types? Please define and explain, and include the pros and cons of each of the following:

A. Conventional or flex modification

B. FHA loan modification

C. VA loan modification

D. any others?

3. Who qualifies for a mortgage loan modification?

4. How do you apply for and get approval on a mortgage modification? Please list the numbered steps in order with details.

5. What are the pros/benefits of a mortgage modification?

6. What are the cons/drawbacks of a mortgage modification?

7. What alternatives to mortgage modification should readers consider and why? Please cover each of the following:

A. Refinancing

B. Deed in lieu of foreclosure

C. Short sale

D. Any others?

8. Anything else you'd like to add?

9. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?

_____

4) SUMMARY: Comparing USDA loans to conventional mortgage loans

NAME: Erik Martin

CONTACT EMAIL: martinspiration@gmail.com

MUCK RACK URL: https://muckrack.com/erik-martin-3

MEDIA OUTLET: USDAloans.com

MEDIA WEBSITE: https://www.usdaloans.com

DEADLINE DATE: 2025-06-27

DEADLINE TIME: 01:00 am Eastern Standard Time

QUERY: Hello. I'm writing an article for USDAloans.com and am seeking to interview mortgage lending experts (particularly lenders that offer USDA home loans), mortgage borrower consumers who have a USDA home loan (lenders, if you have any clients that meet this criteria, please connect me with them), personal finance professionals, business faculty, real estate agents, and other professionals for the following topic:

Comparing USDA loans and conventional mortgage loans.

This article will highlight the similarities and differences between USDA and conventional mortgage loans, focusing on aspects like eligibility criteria, down payment requirements, interest rates, and more.

I can only accept written responses (which I can use as quotes) for this article.

Thanks!

QUESTIONS:

1. (This first set of questions is only for mortgage borrowers with a USDA home loan): Why did you choose a USDA loan versus a conventional loan? What was the USDA loan experience like overall? What advice would you give to readers who may be considering a USDA loan instead of a conventional loan? Your name and city/state location?

2. (These remaining questions are for experts: ) Please define and explain overall what a USDA home loan is versus a conventional mortgage loan.

3. Please explain the key differences (preferably in a side-by-side table) between a USDA home loan versus a conventional loan in the following categories (this is the heart of my story, so please provide details on extra attention to your answers here):

a. Down payment requirements

b. Income requirements

c. Credit score requirements

d. DTI ratio requirements

e. Property location eligibility and requirements

f. Mortgage insurance requirements

g. Loan limits

h. Occupancy requirements

i. Closing timelines

j. Interest rate differences

k. Any other key differences?

4. Who are good candidates for a USDA home loan versus a conventional mortgage loan and why?

5. Are you allowed to use a USDA home loan for a fixer-upper?

6. What are the steps involved in order to apply for a USDA home loan?

7. How does refinancing work with USDA home loans?

8. If you are a lender, do you offer USDA home loans? For how long? What do you like about USDA home loans versus conventional loans?

9. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?

_____

5) SUMMARY: Comparing USDA loans and VA mortgage loans

NAME: Erik Martin

CONTACT EMAIL: martinspiration@gmail.com

MUCK RACK URL: https://muckrack.com/erik-martin-3

MEDIA OUTLET: USDAloans.com

MEDIA WEBSITE: https://www.usdaloans.com

DEADLINE DATE: 2025-06-27

DEADLINE TIME: 01:00 am Eastern Standard Time

Comparing USDA loans and VA mortgage loans.

I can only accept written responses (which I can use as quotes) for this article.

Thanks!

QUESTIONS:

1. (This first set of questions is only for mortgage borrowers with a USDA home loan): Why did you choose a USDA loan versus any other type of loan? What was the USDA loan experience like overall? What advice would you give to readers who may be considering a USDA loan instead of a conventional loan? Your name and city/state location?

2. (These remaining questions are for experts: ) Please define and explain overall what a USDA home loan is versus a VA mortgage loan. Also, explain the differences between a USDA Direct and USDA Guaranteed loan.

3. Please explain the key differences (preferably in a side-by-side table) between a USDA home loan versus a conventional loan in the following categories:

a. Down payment requirements

b. Income requirements

c. Credit score requirements

d. DTI ratio requirements

e. Property location eligibility and requirements

f. Mortgage insurance requirements

g. Funding fee requirements

h. Loan limits

i. Occupancy requirements

j. Closing timelines

k. VA Interest rate differences

l. Eligibility criteria for veterans and service members for VA loans

4. Who are good candidates for a USDA home loan versus a VA mortgage loan and why?

5. What are the major advantages of USDA loans over VA loans?

6. What are the major advantages of VA loans over USDA loans?

7. What should readers consider carefully before choosing between a USDA and VA loan?

8. How much income is needed/recommended to purchase a $400,000 house with a VA loan?

9. Who pays closing costs on a USDA loan?

10. What is the 20% rule for USDA loan?

Finance Media Queries for 06/24/25

This afternoon media mention opportunities come from Better.com and more!

This post is for paid subscribers