The Blog
Latest Articles
Catherine’s own musings about work, self-development, motivation and mindset.
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Buying or Selling A Condo? New Significant Fannie Mae Updates
The HOA and Mortgage Approval New Condo Guidelines: The changes are fairly technical—meaning the underwriters had to determine the Condos eligibility for approval. This blog post is written for home buyers, not lenders. The big story is: Condo approval is changing, and the HOA matters more than many buyers realize. Fannie Mae retired its Limited…
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Jumbo Loan
When It Makes Sense… A mortgage doesn’t become “jumbo” because the house is luxurious with an infinity swimming pool on a hilltop, panoramic views and a dramatic driveway. It becomes jumbo because the loan amount exceeds the applicable conforming loan limit for that property’s location and number of units. Conforming loan limits are the maximum…
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Conforming Loan Limits — Definition
Conforming Loan Limits are the maximum mortgage amounts that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can generally purchase or guarantee under their standard conforming guidelines. The limits are set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and vary based on: For 2026, the baseline conforming limit for a one-unit property is $832,750. The ceiling in…
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Buying a House with $10K Down Each
How co-borrowing can open doors to home ownership Rising home prices have made saving for a large down payment one of the biggest barriers to home ownership. But what if you didn’t have to do it alone? Pooling resources with a co-borrower each contributing, for example, $10,000—can be a practical way to especially get in…
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First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Lender
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between choosing a neighborhood, understanding loan programs, and qualifying for financing, many first-time buyers don’t know where to begin. That’s where working with an experienced first time home buyer mortgage lender can make all the difference. A knowledgeable mortgage lender doesn’t just process…
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How Much Down Payment Do You Need to Buy A House?
FHA, USDA, and Conventional Low Down Payment Mortgage Options Explained… Buying a home is one of the biggest financial milestones in life, but many people delay the process because they believe they need a 20% down payment. While putting 20% down has advantages. It is far from the only option. Today’s mortgage programs make home…
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Finding Hope Through FHA: Creating a Path Toward Homeownership
Your Dream of Homeownership May Be Closer Than You Think You may look at home prices, your savings account, or your credit history and wonder, “Is homeownership really possible for me?” The answer may be closer than you think. The FHA loan program was created to help remove some of the barriers that prevent responsible…
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Experience Form 1003 – A Holistic Approach
A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling the CFPB Form 1003 (Uniform Residential Loan Application) Whether you see yourself as a future homeowner or an emerging investor, your first mortgage is your entry point into leverage, structure, and long-term wealth building. This is your mindset, when you finally decide, and commit to yourself, that you want to…
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From Paycheck to Ownership
Job stability and consistent income play a central role in mortgage pre-qualification and approval because lenders want to see reliable proof that a borrower can repay the loan over time. When reviewing an application, lenders typically look at your employment history, income consistency, and the likelihood that the income will continue. A stable job and…