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🏚️ The 50-Year Mortgage: Because Who Doesn’t  Love Paying Forever? There are some ideas in the mortgage world that make you stop, squint, and ask, “Wait… are we serious right now?” The latest? The 50-year mortgage. Yes, someone decided that the 30-year mortgage—already long enough to raise kids, change jobs, switch cars a dozen times, and live through several hairstyles—wasn’t quite long enough. Why not stretch it out for half a century ? You know, so you can celebrate payin

Mortgage Tip: I hear it all the time: “Stay away from mortgage insurance!” But what if I told you that mortgage insurance (which is required if you put less than 20% down) might actually make more  financial sense than putting 20% down? Here’s why. Mortgage insurance can often be surprisingly affordable—sometimes as low as $40–$80 per month depending on credit, loan size, and down payment amount. And in some cases, loans with  mortgage insurance actually come with better rate

If you’ve been told you “can’t go conventional” because your credit score isn’t high enough — this is news worth knowing. Fannie Mae (the agency behind many conventional loans) just made a big change:They’ve removed the old minimum 620 credit-score requirement  for loans run through their automated system (called “Desktop Underwriter,” or DU). So… what does that mean for you? It doesn’t mean credit scores suddenly don’t matter — they still do.But it does  mean your overall pr

You ever notice how everyone  in real estate calls themselves a “Top Producer”?It’s on business cards, Instagram bios, and those flashy ads with crossed arms and foggy mountain backdrops.So , being the mortgage nerd I am… I like to look them up. And wow. Half the time they haven’t sold or closed a thing in six months. 😬Meanwhile, the same handful of agents and loan officers are quietly doing the majority of the business — helping actual buyers and sellers navigate real-life

If you’ve ever bought or refinanced a home, you’ve probably heard the word appraisal  tossed around a lot. But what actually happens when the appraiser shows up with their clipboard (or tablet) and takes a tour of your home? Let’s pull back the curtain. 🔍 What an Appraisal Is An appraisal is an independent, third-party estimate of a home’s market value —ordered by the lender, not the buyer or seller.It ’s designed to make sure the loan amount makes sense for the property’s r

Not exactly. Here’s what’s really going on:When the Fed lowers the federal funds rate , that impacts short-term stuff — credit cards, car loans, HELOCs, and those “buy now, cry later” payment apps. But mortgage rates?They play by different rules. They move more with inflation trends and investor confidence — not a single button Jerome Powell presses from a secret control room. And fun fact:The last four times the Fed cut  rates, mortgage rates actually went up  right after.Wh

Halloween’s here — and while ghosts, goblins, and gory movie marathons are all in good fun, some myths about home loans are downright terrifying. Let’s shine a flashlight on a few mortgage misconceptions that refuse to die: 👻 Myth #1: You need 20% down or you can’t buy a home This one haunts would-be buyers every year. The truth? Many programs allow far less — and for qualified borrowers, options like FHA, VA, and even conventional loans can make homeownership possible with

(A little mortgage wisdom from your friendly neighborhood broker) Let’s talk about one of the biggest myths in homebuying: “You have to put every last dollar into your down payment to get a good deal.” Nope. Not true. Please don’t do that. I’ve seen people drain their savings, max out credit cards, and even sell their favorite kayak just to hit that magical 20% mark. But here’s the thing — going all in on your down payment can leave you “house rich and cash poor,” which is ju

These days, a lot of lenders throw around the term “mortgage broker.”  It sounds friendly and independent — like someone shopping the market for the best fit on your behalf. But here’s the truth: many companies calling themselves “brokers” aren’t brokers at all. Let’s break it down. What a True Mortgage Broker Does A real mortgage broker works independently. They partner with multiple lenders , giving you access to a wide range of loan options, pricing structures, and underwr

We live in an age where everything feels instant — food delivery, streaming, even mortgage approvals. Click a few buttons, upload some documents, and voilà — “You’re approved!” Except… not really. I can’t count how many times I’ve had people come to me in full panic mode after going with one of those “fast and easy” online mortgage services. Everything seemed fine — until it wasn’t. Here’s what usually happens: Their payment ends up way higher than expected. Hidden fees or cl