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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26 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

How Real-Time Income Verification Is Changing Mortgage Approval

Mortgage Tips
Mortgage approval used to require weeks of gathering documents, submitting pay stubs, waiting for HR departments to respond, and hoping everything lined up perfectly. Today, more lenders are moving toward real-time income verification, a faster and more accurate way to confirm your income during the mortgage process. This shift is making the approval timeline smoother for buyers and giving lenders a clearer picture of your financial situation. Understand What Real-Time Income Verification MeansReal-time income verification allows lenders to confirm your employment and income instantly through secure digital systems. Instead of relying on paper documents, lenders use approved payroll databases to…
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24 Dec 2025
By Tawnya King

How Medical Collections Affect Mortgage Approval

Mortgage Tips
Medical bills are one of the most common reasons people face unexpected debt, and many borrowers are surprised when they see a medical collection appear on their credit report. Even though medical debt is often caused by emergencies rather than irresponsible spending, it can still impact your mortgage application. Understanding how lenders view medical collections can help you prepare, protect your credit, and move confidently toward homeownership. Know How Medical Collections Appear on Your Credit ReportMedical bills usually start with your healthcare provider, then move to a collection agency if they go unpaid. Once the account goes to collections, it…
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