Yeah, it’s wild how much harder it is if your income doesn’t fit the W-2 mold. I’ve had clients with solid rental portfolios or freelance work get gri...

Not sure I’d say there’s “no rhyme or reason” to what gets flagged, though I get where you’re coming from. Underwriters do follow guidelines, but ther...

Timing an ARM switch “perfectly” is kind of like catching lightning in a bottle, honestly. I’ve seen a few clients get lucky, but it’s rare—usually mo...

Keeping business and personal finances separate really does make a difference, especially when lenders start combing through every transaction. It can...

Honestly, I’ve watched clients get stuck waiting for “the best” rate and end up missing out entirely. I remember a couple in 2019 who held off for a q...

Couldn't agree more with this. I've seen plenty of folks underestimate the hidden costs and zoning hurdles when purchasing land without immediate buil...

That's a great question. From experience, alternative lending can be beneficial if your financial situation doesn't neatly fit traditional criteria. B...

Good points overall, but I'd argue that sometimes refinancing can still make sense even if you're not 100% sure you'll stay put long-term. For instanc...

I've seen similar situations with clients who invested heavily in trendy tech upgrades, thinking they'd significantly boost their home's value. One cl...

Good call checking your escrow regularly. I've seen similar miscalculations pop up with clients—usually minor but still annoying. Escrow's convenient,...

This is spot-on. Had a client who initially loved the rural setting and USDA perks, but after a year, the long daily commute really wore them down. Al...

That's a sensible way to look at it. While renovations can sometimes boost your home value, it's rarely a guaranteed dollar-for-dollar return. I've se...