Blog — Tawnya King

23 Sep 2026

Could Paying Off a Debt Before Applying for a Mortgage Actually Be the Wrong Move?

Mortgage Tips

Paying off debt sounds like an obvious way to prepare for a mortgage. After all, fewer monthly obligations can improve cash flow and potentially help with mortgage qualification. But using a large portion of your savings to eliminate a debt immediately before buying a home is not automatically the best strategy. Sometimes the money in the bank can be just as important as the debt you want to eliminate. Not Every Debt Has the Same ImpactMortgage qualification considers monthly debt obligations, but paying off every balance does not necessarily produce the same benefit. The amount owed, required monthly payment, type…

22 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

Why Your First Mortgage Payment Might Be Farther Away Than You Expect

Mortgage Tips

After closing on a home, buyers may be surprised to discover that their first regular mortgage payment is not necessarily due a few weeks later. Depending on the closing date, there can be a noticeable gap between receiving the keys and making that first payment. Understanding why can help new homeowners plan their finances during an already expensive transition.Mortgage Interest Works Differently Than RentRent is generally paid in advance. A payment made at the beginning of the month typically covers the right to live in the property during that month. Mortgage interest generally works differently because it is paid in…

21 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 21st, 2026

Financial Reports

Expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise rates to combat significant inflation have come to pass, with a modest 0.25% increase in the rate. The Federal Reserve has stated that it remains committed to restoring inflation to its 2.0% target, which will likely include further rate increases in the future. The rest of the week featured a light economic calendar with very few impactful releases, leaving the Federal Reserve’s rate decision as the primary driver of market activity.FOMC Rate DecisionAt its September 15–16, 2026 FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target range by 25 basis points, from…

17 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

How Buying a Home With Someone You Are Not Married To Changes the Financial Conversation

Mortgage Tips

Buying a home with a partner, friend, sibling, or other person can make homeownership possible sooner and allow two people to combine their financial resources. But when two people who are not married purchase a home together, there are financial conversations worth having before they begin looking at properties. A mortgage may be shared, but income, debts, savings, credit profiles, and expectations about ownership can be very different. Applying Together Means Sharing the Financial PictureWhen two people apply for a mortgage together, the lender evaluates information from both borrowers. That can include income, employment, debts, assets, and credit histories. One…

16 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

What Happens to Your Mortgage Options When a Home Does Not Appraise as Expected?

Mortgage Tips

You have negotiated a purchase price, your offer has been accepted, and the mortgage process is moving forward. Then the appraisal comes back lower than expected. For buyers, that can be unsettling, but a low appraisal does not automatically mean the purchase is over. What happens next depends on the contract, available funds, financing, and what the buyer and seller are willing to do. Why the Appraised Value Matters to Your MortgageMortgage financing is generally based in part on the property's appraised value. If a buyer agrees to pay $425,000 but the home appraises for $400,000, the lender does not…

15 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

Why the Type of Property You Buy Can Affect Your Mortgage Options

Mortgage Tips

When buyers start thinking about mortgage options, they often focus on their own finances: income, credit, debts, savings, and down payment. But there is another part of the equation that can be easy to overlook. The property itself matters. A traditional single-family home, condominium, manufactured home, multi-unit property, or unusual property may not be treated exactly the same when it comes to financing. A Mortgage Is Secured by the PropertyA lender is not only evaluating whether a borrower can repay the loan. The property securing that mortgage must also meet the requirements of the particular loan program being used. For…

14 Sep 2026

By Tawnya King

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 14th, 2026

Financial Reports

While CPI data has come in within expectations for current inflation, inflation remains much higher than in previous years. The rate is holding steady at 2.4%, which is above the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target. There are sectors where cost has seen significant increase and has not been reflected in the CPI due to the more recent changes implemented by the Trump administration. Fuel costs, for example, have seen an upward year-over-year trend that has been exacerbated by the recent war in Iran. The Fed Beige Book and balance sheet have also shown steady growth and an upward trend as of…