So it’s been a while, but now “we are back from a commercial break”, as my good friend Ken Kellner says over a megaphone in his tiki bar every time someone new walks in. Why is this relevant, you may be asking yourself? Well, during my “commercial break” I honed my writing skills, educated myself on the virtues […]

In my ongoing effort to help my clients understand the taxable implications of a mortgage during tax season, today I will talk about how a tax return can and cannot be used to help with a home purchase. I run into many clients who qualify for a mortgage; they have the income to sustain a […]

As I said last week, I will be dedicating this month to tax season on my blog. I am doing this in an effort to help my clients and readers prepare themselves for their current tax filings, as I know this is top of mind for most people at this time of year. Today, I […]

As January comes to a close, we are once again welcomed into tax season. For some, this is a happy time of year where a big refund check will soon be on its way. For others, it’s a time of annoyance as a big check needs to be written to the IRS. But either way, […]

In 2014, the big stories were the impact of the new Dodd-Frank regulations, the new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs, and the questions surrounding interest rates. The Dodd-Frank regulations were accounted for, changes were made, and the industry moved on. Interest rate hikes were a concern all year, and most analysts were just waiting […]

Whenever I do a mortgage for a client buying a new house, I discuss their options in detail with them. This includes various mortgage programs, such as FHA, conventional, VA, etc.; mortgage terms, such as 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, 10 year fixed, etc.; and what types of mortgage are available, such as option […]

If you are in the process of buying a house or are thinking of buying a house, there are some common documents you will need for your mortgage. By collecting them early and having them upfront, you will save time in the process and help your mortgage officer properly prequalify you. And many lenders will […]

Mortgage preapproval letters have become a standard practice in the home buying process. Most sellers would like something of substance from a lender stating that you actually have the means to buy their house before making it unavailable to other buyers. Why take their house off the market and go into contract with you, when […]

The market for house flipping has never been stronger. Even as house prices surge, more and more people are stepping into the house flipping game to make a quick buck. And as such, more and more clients are calling me to ask if they can finance a house they plan to flip. Now, in a […]

In the grand homebuying scheme, there are two people who are going to make or break your experience: the lender and the real estate agent. Everyone has an opinion on which is more important, negotiating the best deal on the purchase price or finding the best financing, but no one will tell you that both […]