Financial Health Resources
If you're looking to improve your financial health, start here. Learn how to get approved for your perfect home loan with articles about credit score, debt-to-income ratio, budgeting, and tips to boost your chances of getting approved.
Escrow Analysis in 2026: How the Annual Statement Sets Your New Mortgage Payment
The Letter That Changes a Fixed Payment Probably the most common call I take in a given spring goes like...
Is a 600 Credit Score Good Enough to Buy a House in 2026? Rates, Loan Options, and Next Steps
Stop Asking "Is 600 Good Enough" and Start Asking "Which Door Is Open" It depends on your entire financial situation,...
Is a 650 Credit Score Good Enough to Buy a House in 2026? Rates, Loan Options, and Next Steps
Where a 650 Score Stands on FHA Loans Every borrower situation is different, but I can tell you what I...
Is Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Worth It in 2026? Pros, Cons, and the Math
Find Your Number Before You Read Another Pros-and-Cons List I've worked with borrowers who ask me the payoff question like...
Self-Employed Mortgage Guide for 2026: 12 Strategies to Get Approved
Qualifying as Self-Employed for a Mortgage Buying a home when you’re self-employed is an uncommon path to homeownership, but it’s...
The House Rich, Cash Poor Paradox
AmeriSave surveyed 1,000 U.S. homeowners and found rising housing costs are squeezing budgets, even as property values and home equity...
How to Get a Mortgage Without 2 Years of Work History: 8 Paths That Work in 2026
The short answer: yes, and here's what lenders actually check Every borrower's situation is different, and work history might be...
What Credit Score Is Needed to Rent an Apartment in 2026?
So, What Credit Score Do You Really Need to Rent? I've spent 26 years in mortgage lending, which means I've...
How Lenders View Retirement Income When You Apply for a Mortgage: A 2026 Guide
The Short Answer: Yes, Retirement Income Counts When you stop taking home a salary, the worry is natural: if I...