How to Apply for a Jumbo Loan (Before Mortgage Rates Jump)

Mortgage rates continue to tick upwards and home prices are hitting all-time highs, though the market does appear to be slowing down. After a strong open to the spring season, listings are coming in with a bit more balance and breathing room, revealing fewer offers and less competition as the season progresses. As a result, […]

Jumbo Mortgage Rates are Rising – Should I Refinance?

Some of my clients are asking, should I refinance my jumbo mortgage now or wait? It might not be the right move for every homeowner but it could be a smart financial decision depending on your financial goals. Yes, mortgage rates are starting to rise. Mortgage interest rates are still low, but as mortgage rates […]

5 Smart Tips for a Great HELOC Rate

A Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC is a great option when you want to borrow money against your home without refinancing. Unlike a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is an open line of credit that uses your home as collateral.  You draw from the account at your convenience […]

5 Simple Homebuyer Tips Before You Make an Offer

Most houses are staged with the homebuyer in mind.  Everything looks beautiful from the walk up to the backroom closets and fresh flowers in the kitchen.  It’s easy to get swept away with a first impression so it’s important to pull back the shades and take a deep look inside and out.  A good home inspection […]

5 Things You Should Know About VA Loans (they’re all good)

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides benefits for those who qualify for the program and one of the more popular is the VA mortgage loan. VA loans are the ideal option for those wanting to come to the closing table with as little cash as possible. The most obvious benefit is the lack of a […]

Mortgage Insurance: How It Helps Homebuyers

Mortgage insurance might sound like it is something that it isn’t. Yes, it is indeed an insurance policy but it’s not a policy that pays the borrowers’ mortgage payments should they begin to default. Instead, it’s an insurance policy with the financial benefit payable to the lender issuing the mortgage. But it’s also a benefit […]

What is a Wholesale Lender and Why Are They Important?

It might surprise some to learn that there are two primary types of lenders. There are direct lenders such as your bank and mortgage bankers. Banks provide mortgage services to their banking customers. With a bank, someone might appreciate the convenience of getting a home loan at the same place they got their auto loan […]

Meet the Behind-the-Scenes People At Your Mortgage Company

When you and I first speak together, it’s generally a Q&A sort of thing. You have questions, I have answers. The first is probably to check out mortgage rates to make sure we’re competitive and to get a general fix on the mortgage market. The next is to talk about getting prequalified, get a loan […]

What is an AKA Letter and Why Is It Important?

In the mortgage industry, it’s referred to as an AKA letter, or Also Known As. An AKA letter is one written by the applicant at the direction of the lender. And it can be required for a number of reasons when the name on the loan application doesn’t match exactly the name or names appearing […]