Buying a Home Without the Fear of Getting It Wrong

Buying a home is a major financial decision, so it’s understandable if you feel a little nervous about getting it right. You want to buy at the right time. You want a good price. You want a mortgage payment you can comfortably afford. And you don’t want to look back six months later and wonder […]

Home, On Your Timeline

One question comes up more often than you might expect: “Am I behind?” Behind on savings. Behind on credit. Behind where everyone else seems to be. I want to start this article by saying something you may not expect from a mortgage professional: You’re not behind, and you don’t owe anyone a home purchase this […]

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 […]

Author: Sal Trapani