Maybe Not Today, But Maybe Someday: Keeping Homeownership in Mind

Have you ever caught yourself looking at a house online, wondering what it would be like to have a place of your own? Maybe you browse listings from time to time, talk with friends who recently bought a home, or simply wonder whether homeownership could be part of your future. But then reality sets in. […]

The Financial Psychology of the Haunted House (And Other Things Scarier Than Rates)

If you turn on financial news right now, you might think the most terrifying thing a homebuyer can encounter is a mortgage rate. So let’s step away from the spreadsheets for a minute. What happens to the value of a house if the hallway is haunted? Believe it or not, there is a legitimate real […]

3 Credit Score Hacks That Can Help Raise Your Score

You don’t have to be planning to buy a home tomorrow to care about your credit score. Whether you’re preparing to buy a house, refinance, finance a car, or simply want to improve your overall financial position, your credit score can matter when you apply for financing. And improving your credit doesn’t necessarily require anything […]

The House Isn’t the Deal — The Terms Are

What makes a good mortgage deal? It’s not always the lowest price or the lowest interest rate. Here’s what homebuyers should look at before deciding. You found a house you like. The price looks good. The neighborhood works. Maybe the builder is offering an attractive incentive or the seller is willing to contribute toward your […]

VantageScore 4.0 Is Now Available to All Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lenders

A major change to mortgage credit scoring is now underway. VantageScore 4.0 is now available to all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-approved lenders for eligible conventional mortgages. The two government-sponsored enterprises announced the expanded availability on September 9, 2026, following an initial limited rollout to approved lenders. That means VantageScore 4.0 is no longer limited […]

FHA’s New Credit Scoring Models: What VantageScore 4.0 Could Mean for 2027 Homebuyers

If you’ve talked to me about a home loan, you know I like to keep things simple. So when I say the FHA is preparing to add new credit scoring models to the models it allows for mortgage underwriting, I want to break down exactly what that means, where it’s coming from, and how it […]

Seller Concessions Explained: How Seller Credits Can Help With Closing Costs

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to focus almost entirely on the down payment. But the down payment isn’t the only cash you’ll need at closing. Closing costs and prepaid expenses can add thousands of dollars to the amount a buyer needs to bring to the closing table. One tool that may help is […]

Mortgage Rates Are Near 7% — So Why Do Buyers Have More Leverage?

If you’re thinking about buying a home right now, you may feel like the odds are stacked against you. Mortgage rates are still hovering around 6.7%, keeping monthly payments considerably higher than they were several years ago. And with rates still elevated, many potential buyers are wondering whether they should simply wait for mortgage rates […]

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford? Here’s What Decides the Answer

If you’ve started house hunting, you’ve probably typed some version of “how much mortgage can I afford?” into Google more than once. It’s one of the most common questions homebuyers have, and for good reason. The answer shapes almost everything else about your home search — from the neighborhoods you consider to the price range […]

FHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Is Right for You in 2026?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and one of the first questions many home buyers ask is: Should I choose an FHA loan or a conventional loan? The answer depends on your credit score, down payment, debt-to-income ratio, financial goals, and even how long you plan to stay […]

Author: Sal Trapani