05 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

You Ask, We Answer: How to Choose Between Expanding Your Current Home and Buying a New One

Mortgage Tips
Does your home feel like it's starting to burst at the seams? Many homeowners across the country can relate to this feeling having bought a home only to run out of space due to a growing family or for other reasons. Let's take a quick look at a few questions that will help you to determine whether buying a new home or expanding your current home is the best choice when you're in need of some extra space. Why Are You in Need of More Space? The first question you'll need to answer is... "why?" Are you running out of…
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04 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

Understanding Why You Don’t Need to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early

Mortgage Tips
Many homeowners feel pressure to pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible but faster is not always better. In many real-life situations, directing your money toward other financial steps can offer more growth, more protection, and more flexibility. Understanding when early payoff is helpful and when it is not can give you greater confidence in your long-term plan. Your Mortgage Rate Matters More Than You ThinkA major factor in this decision is your current mortgage rate. Many homeowners secured low rates in recent years that are far below the interest charged on credit cards and other consumer loans. When…
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02 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

When and How to Save Money by Refinancing Your Mortgage

Mortgage Tips
Refinancing can be a smart way to lower your monthly payment, reduce your interest rate, or tap into equity for financial goals. Many homeowners wait too long to reconsider their loan, but the right timing can put real money back into your pocket. Understanding when to refinance and how the process works helps you make a confident decision. Understanding Why Refinancing MattersRefinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new one that may offer better terms. Homeowners often refinance to secure a lower rate, shorten their loan term, remove mortgage insurance, or consolidate high interest debt. Even a small rate improvement…
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26 Nov 2025
By Tawnya King

The Role of Asset Verification in Mortgage Underwriting

Mortgage Tips
When buyers apply for a mortgage, income and credit history get most of the attention. However, there is another essential part of the underwriting process that plays a major part in determining approval. Asset verification helps lenders understand the financial strength behind an application and gives them greater confidence in the borrower's ability to manage the loan responsibly. What Asset Verification MeansAsset verification is the process of reviewing the funds a borrower has available. This includes checking bank accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts and any other liquid sources. Lenders look for accurate documentation that confirms the money belongs to the…
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25 Nov 2025
By Tawnya King

How Non-Occupant Co-Borrowers Can Help with Mortgage Qualification

Mortgage Tips
Many hopeful homebuyers find that their income alone does not quite meet the requirements for a mortgage. This challenge is especially common for people early in their careers, those recovering from financial setbacks, or buyers facing higher home prices. One option that can make a meaningful difference is bringing in a non-occupant co-borrower. What a Non-Occupant Co-Borrower IsA non-occupant co-borrower is someone who agrees to apply for the mortgage with you but does not plan to live in the property. Their income, credit history and financial stability are reviewed alongside yours. This added support can help strengthen the entire application.…
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21 Nov 2025
By Tawnya King

Understanding the Conversation Around Longer Mortgage Terms

Mortgage Tips
The idea of extending mortgage terms well beyond the traditional thirty years is gaining new attention. With rising home prices and tightened affordability, many buyers are wondering whether a much longer loan could help lower the monthly payment enough to make homeownership more achievable. Before deciding if this type of option makes sense, it is important to look at why the concept is being discussed and what it could mean for buyers in the real world. Why Longer Mortgage Terms Are Being DiscussedThe primary reason is affordability. Home prices have increased across many markets, and even with modest rate improvements,…
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18 Nov 2025
By Tawnya King

Mortgages for Vacation Homes vs. Airbnb Rentals

Mortgage Tips
Owning a second home is a dream for many people, whether it is a quiet cabin by the lake, a beachfront retreat, or a mountain getaway. For others, that dream also comes with the potential to generate income through short-term rentals. However, mortgages for vacation homes and Airbnb properties are not the same. Lenders view these two types of homes differently, and understanding those differences can help you choose the right financing option for your goals. What Defines a Vacation Home A vacation home is a property that you primarily use for your own enjoyment. It might be a seasonal…
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