That right there is the part that always trips me up. It’s so easy to *think* you’ll sock away the savings from a 2-1 buydown, but in reality, stuff j...
Couldn’t agree more. I’d rather deal with ugly tile than hidden knob-and-tube wiring. My checklist always starts with the bones: roof, foundation, ele...
I get the appeal of backing everything up in the cloud, but honestly, I’ve had more headaches with “secure” cloud storage than I ever did with a good ...
I get where you’re coming from, but I think sometimes the peace of mind is worth more than the numbers suggest—especially if cash flow is tight. Here’...
That’s spot on. I’ve refinanced my VA loan twice now, and both times I nearly missed a couple of “small” fees buried in the paperwork—like courier cha...
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve been there—thought I was being clever locking in a great rate, only to realize the fine print was a killer....
If I see “miscellaneous fee” or “admin charge” and they can’t tell me what it’s for, I’m out. Had a lender once try to explain a “courier fee” in the ...
Yeah, I’m with you there. I always tell folks: VA appraisal ≠ full inspection. Here’s my quick-and-dirty checklist: 1. VA appraisal checks value and ...
Couldn’t agree more—too much detail and suddenly you’re explaining why your grandma sent you $50 for “emergency pizza.” What’s worked for me is a simp...
Honestly, you nailed it with the “explain your own Venmo” thing. I remember having to clarify a $150 transfer from my sister for concert tickets—felt ...
Rates are usually higher, yeah, but it’s not always a night-and-day difference—depends on your credit, down payment, and the lender’s risk appetite. O...
Here’s how I usually break it down: 1) Figure out if your income or credit situation is straightforward or a bit messy. 2) If it’s messy (like gig wor...
Totally get what you mean about the paperwork maze. I actually kept a folder just for “random documents someone might ask for” after my first round—sa...
Totally agree, those “required” fees can be so vague. Here’s what I do every time now: 1) Ask for a full itemized list of all fees up front. 2) Compar...
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, asking lenders directly doesn't always help. I've tried it a few times, and while some were upfront, oth...