Saturday Strategy
Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...
New Build Financing Insights
In the current market, some new build lenders offer substantial credits to lower interest rates. While this may seem appealing, it's crucial to evaluate the long-term implications. We recently reviewed a client's loan estimate with nearly $40,000 in credits to reduce interest rates, but the home's price was only $380,000. Essentially, they were paying almost 10% more for the house upfront. Yikes! Check out this weeks Saturday Strategy Video
Check this out... the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) exists to reflect the true interest rate. In some cases, it can be deceptively high, around 11 to 13%+, due to excessive upfront costs.
Don't rush into decisions. The lowest rate with the wrong strategy can cost you thousands.
New Home Sales Surge – Inside lending – 5.27.25
Inside Lending – For the week of MAY 27, 2025 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Sometimes you lie in bed at night and you don’t have a single thing to worry about. That always worries me!”—Charlie Brown, created by Charles M. Schulz, American cartoonist NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE April saw new home sales rocket up 10.9%, the…
Common Real Estate Terms Explained
Monday May 26th, 2025 For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Agent Value, Buying Tips If you’re a first-time homebuyer, chances are you’ll come across some terms you’re not familiar with. And that can be overwhelming, especially while going through one of the biggest purchases of your life. The good news is you don’t need to be an expert on real estate…
🏡 Why You’ll Want a Home Inspection
May 23 2025 When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding the perfect property. However, one crucial step that should never be overlooked is the home inspection. This process can save you from unexpected surprises and provide peace of mind about your investment. 🔍 What Is a…
Thinking about an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Read This First
Thursday May 22nd, 2025 For Buyers, Mortgage Rates If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers work. And one option that’s gaining popularity? Adjustable-rate…
More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity
Wednesday May 21st, 2025 For Buyers, Inventory Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad…
What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees
Tuesday May 20th, 2025 For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Buying Tips When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you…
📈 Buyers Keep Coming: Purchase Apps Up 18% From Last Year 🏡
Buyers Keep Coming – Inside Lending Week of 5.19.25 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”—John Wooden, American basketball coach and player NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE The Mortgage Bankers Association reports homebuyers came out in strength for the second week in a row, pushing purchase mortgage…
Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025
🏡 Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025 As we enter the latter half of 2025, the housing market presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. Understanding the current trends can help buyers and sellers make informed decisions. 📉 Mortgage Rates: A Gradual Decline Mortgage rates have been a significant factor in the…
📌 FHA Loan FAQ: Do I Need a Manual Downgrade for a Decline in Self-Employment Income?
Question:My client has W-2 income and some side self-employment income that declined by more than 20% this year. We’re not using that income to qualify — do I still need to downgrade to a manual underwrite? Answer:No — as long as the self-employment income is not used to qualify the borrower, a manual downgrade is…
Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?
Thursday May 15th, 2025 For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, Selling Tips If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?” But when you ask that question, you may be…
P.S. Can I count on you to contact me if you hear that a friend, family or coworker is looking to buy, sell or refinance? Call/Text 480.553.8770 - We'd be honored to help them too!