28 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

Mortgage Tips for Recent Graduates Entering the Workforce

Mortgage Tips
Starting your career is an exciting milestone, and for many recent graduates, the idea of becoming a homeowner feels closer than ever. While student loans, new job transitions, and building credit can make the mortgage process feel overwhelming, you have more options and advantages than you may realize. With the right preparation, you can move toward homeownership confidently and avoid common first-time buyer mistakes. Understand How Your New Income Plays a RoleLenders want to see stable and predictable income, and recent graduates often worry that a new job will make that difficult. The good news is that most lenders allow…
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27 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

How to Qualify for a Mortgage With No Credit Score

Real Estate
Understand What Having No Credit Score Really MeansHaving no credit score is not the same as having bad credit. Bad credit comes from late payments or high balances. No credit simply means you do not use credit often enough for the credit bureaus to generate a score. Lenders can work with this situation, but they need other ways to see your financial reliability. This is where non-traditional credit comes in. Build a Non-Traditional Credit ProfileWhen you do not have a traditional score, lenders look for consistent payment history in other areas. They may ask for twelve months of on-time payments…
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09 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

Why Closing Old Credit Accounts Can Hurt Your Mortgage Approval

Home Buyer Tips
When you are preparing to buy a home, it is natural to want your credit profile to look clean and organized. Many buyers think closing old credit accounts will improve their score, simplify their finances, and make them appear more responsible to lenders. In reality, closing old accounts can have the opposite effect. Those accounts play a much bigger role in your credit profile than most people realize and shutting them down can create sudden changes that impact your mortgage approval. Understand How Closed Accounts Affect Your Credit History Your credit history length is a major part of your credit…
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08 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

What to Know About Fractional Homeownership and Mortgages

Mortgage Tips
Fractional homeownership is becoming more popular as buyers look for creative ways to enjoy a second home or vacation property without taking on the full cost. Instead of owning one home entirely, you purchase a fraction of the property and share ownership with several other people. While the idea sounds simple, fractional ownership comes with unique rules, financing challenges, and long-term commitments that every buyer should understand before moving forward. Understand How Fractional Homeownership WorksFractional homeownership is different from timeshares. With a timeshare, you purchase the right to use the home for a certain period. With fractional homeownership, you purchase…
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07 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

Mortgages for Parents With Young Kids and What to Consider

Mortgage Tips
Buying a home when you have young kids brings unique challenges, but it also creates opportunities to build stability for your family. Your priorities might look different from other homebuyers, and your financial decisions may need to reflect the needs of a growing household. By planning ahead and understanding what matters most, you can choose a mortgage that supports your budget, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals as a parent. Consider How Your Monthly Budget Will ChangeRaising young kids comes with expenses that shift as your family grows. Childcare, medical costs, food, activities, and emergencies can all impact how much…
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06 Jan 2026
By Tawnya King

Mortgage Impacts of Using Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal for Income

Mortgage Tips
More people are earning money through freelancing, side gigs, digital work, consulting, and online sales. Because of this, it is common for income to flow through platforms like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal instead of traditional direct deposits. While these tools make it easy to get paid, they can also affect your mortgage application in ways many buyers do not expect. Understanding how lenders view these platforms can help you prepare long before you apply for a home loan. Know How Lenders View Peer-to-Peer IncomePeer-to-peer apps are convenient, but from a lender’s perspective, they are not the same as receiving…
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30 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

How the Sharing Economy Is Changing Mortgage Underwriting

Mortgage Tips
The rise of the sharing economy has changed the way many people work, earn, and budget. Income from rideshare driving, freelance projects, short-term rentals, and delivery apps has become a normal part of modern finances. These new income streams are helpful for building savings and paying bills, but they also affect how lenders view your mortgage application. Understanding how the sharing economy influences underwriting can help you prepare for a smooth approval process. Know How Lenders View Non-Traditional IncomeIncome from rideshare apps, delivery platforms, online marketplaces, and short-term rental hosting does not flow through a traditional payroll system. Because of…
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