19 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

How to Build Credit For a Mortgage Starting This National Homeownership Month

Homeowner Tips
June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and offer guidance to those preparing to take that important step. One of the most impactful things you can do right now is to begin building or improving your credit. If you plan to purchase a home in the next 6 to 12 months, the work you do today could make a major difference in the loan terms you receive later. Check your credit report first. Before anything else, it is important to know where you stand. You can access your credit reports for free…
Read More
18 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

Celebrating National Homeownership Month and How First-Time Buyer Programs Make It Possible

Home Buyer Tips
June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and spotlight the many programs designed to help first-time buyers turn that dream into reality. For many Americans, the biggest challenge to buying a home is coming up with the funds for a down payment or qualifying for a loan. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of mortgage options and assistance programs available to make homeownership more achievable. FHA Loan One of the most widely used mortgage programs for first-time buyers is the FHA loan, backed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans typically require lower…
Read More
17 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

The Emotional Rewards of Homeownership and Why It’s Worth Celebrating in June

Real Estate
June is National Homeownership Month, a time not only to talk about the practical steps toward owning a home but also to reflect on the emotional rewards that make the journey worth it. As a mortgage professional, I spend a lot of time working with numbers such as credit scores, down payments, and interest rates. But the most powerful part of homeownership is what cannot be measured with a calculator. Pride in OwnershipOwning a home brings pride. There is something deeply satisfying about unlocking your front door and knowing that it belongs to you. Whether it is your very first…
Read More
16 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 16th, 2025

Financial Reports
The CPI and PPI have yet to reveal the impacts of the tariff policies that were placed temporarily, which gives some potential insight that there might be a path forward for the Federal Reserve to look at potential rate cuts. However, economists across many industries are expecting inflation to increase temporarily as an impact for the policies that were put in place. Significant uncertainty remains across many import and export markets, with major players opting to err on the side of caution while awaiting a final decision from the administration regarding its policies. Consumer sentiment has shown a slight improvement…
Read More
13 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

Creative Strategies for Saving on Closing Costs

Mortgage Tips
When you are budgeting for a new home, it’s easy to focus on the down payment, but do not forget the closing costs. These fees typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price and cover things like the appraisal, title search, loan origination, and other administrative expenses. For many buyers, especially first-timers, they can feel like an unwelcome surprise. The good news? There are creative, effective ways to reduce these expenses and make homeownership more affordable. 1. Negotiate With the Seller In a buyer-friendly market, you may be able to negotiate for the seller to cover part…
Read More
12 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

How to Leverage Home Equity for Financial Freedom

Mortgage Tips
If you’ve owned your home for a few years, chances are you have built up equity, maybe more than you realize. But what exactly is home equity, and how can you use it to build wealth, reduce debt, or increase financial flexibility? We will discuss how homeowners are turning their built-up equity into tools for financial freedom, and how you can, too. What Is Home Equity?Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your home is valued at $450,000 and you owe $250,000, you have $200,000…
Read More
11 Jun 2025
By Tawnya King

Are Interest-Only Mortgages A Smart Strategy or Risky Business?

Mortgage Tips
When exploring home financing options, many borrowers are intrigued by interest-only mortgages. These loans offer the benefit of lower initial monthly payments, which can seem attractive, especially in high-cost areas or when cash flow is tight. But how exactly do they work, and are they the right fit for your financial goals? What Is an Interest-Only Mortgage?An interest-only mortgage allows you to pay just the interest on your loan for a set period, typically 5 to 10 years. During this time, your payments do not reduce the loan’s principal balance. Once that period ends, you begin paying both principal and…
Read More