Funny you mention the “dragon hoard”—I see that a lot. People get so focused on the emergency fund number that it almost paralyzes them. I’m a bit mor...

Honestly, yes—I've seen underwriters ask about $25 deposits from apps like Venmo or Zelle. It might seem excessive, but their job is to document the s...

Most lenders won't typically allow you to just request a second appraisal if the first one doesn't come back the way you'd hoped. Usually, it's a one-...

You're right about credit unions often providing competitive rates, especially if your credit's solid. I'd just add a quick note of caution—while refi...

That's a really good point about liquidity. I've seen plenty of people get excited about aggressively paying down their mortgages, only to realize lat...

I see your point about locking in rates now and refinancing later, but from my experience, refinancing isn't always a guaranteed option. I had a clien...

When I refinanced a few years back, I was cautious to the point of driving myself (and probably my family) a bit nuts with all the number crunching. B...

Good point on hybrid programs—they often get overlooked, but they're definitely worth considering. I've seen a few clients go that route, and it can s...

Good points there, especially about matching terms vs. rates—seen that happen way too often. People get excited about a lower rate and overlook the fi...

I hear you on the temptation to go all-out with remodels—those HGTV dreams can get pretty persuasive. From a financial standpoint, tapping equity can ...

Yeah, Starlink's pretty decent overall, but I'd still recommend having a backup plan if your work depends heavily on internet reliability. Had a clien...

I completely agree—winging it can really backfire. Had a client last year who fell in love with a property unexpectedly, but without pre-approval, the...

It's wise to be cautious here—I agree that sharp price drops usually indicate underlying economic pressures. From experience, I've seen clients rush i...