Recent Articles
How the NAR Lawsuit Changed Buyer Agent Compensation — and Why Professional Representation Still Matters
If you’re planning to buy a home, you may have heard that “commissions have changed” or that buyers are now having different conversations with real estate agents than they used to. Much of that confusion traces back to the Sitzer/Burnett v. NAR lawsuit and the industry-wide changes that followed. What this means for buyers today comes down to two critical realities: Buyer agent compensation is no longer assumed. Buyers should never assume the agent they are speaking with represents them. Both affect your money, your negotiating power, and even what information should remain confidential. Let’s break it all down clearly.
Published on 01/25/2026
Why Using a Real Estate Agent Matters (From a Loan Officer’s Perspective)
As a loan officer, I get to see behind the scenes of hundreds of home purchases. I see the deals that glide smoothly to closing… and the ones that fall apart at the last minute. One of the biggest differences between the two? A knowledgeable, engaged real estate agent.
Published on 01/23/2026
Title Insurance: A Simple Guide for First-Time Homebuyers
When you buy a home, you’re not just buying the house—you’re buying the legal right to own it. That’s exactly what title insurance helps protect.
Published on 01/22/2026
How Much Monthly Payment Can I Possibly Qualify For? (FHA Simple Explanation)
Before a lender talks about houses, interest rates, or loan amounts, they first answer one question: What is the highest monthly payment FHA will allow based on your income and debts? This number is based on debt-to-income ratios (DTI).
Published on 01/21/2026
BIG NEWS: Mortgage Rates Are at Their Lowest Level in Years—What That Means for You
Find out what this rate drop means to you for buying a new home.
Published on 01/19/2026
Lock-in Effect: Something big just happened in the U.S. Housing Market
Find out what the experts are anticipating for 2026 housing
Published on 01/12/2026
A Tale of Two Brothers: Renting vs. Buying Over 30 Years
What happens when two people do nearly everything right financially—but make one different housing decision? This simplified hypothetical explores how time, discipline, housing costs, and appreciation affect long-term net worth. The numbers are intentionally clean and conservative, but the lesson is anything but small.
Published on 01/07/2026
Holiday Week Catch-Up: Mortgage Rates Hover Near 2-Month Lows
A holiday-week catch-up: light trading kept markets mostly sideways, but the average 30-year fixed edged to near two-month lows as bonds got a small lift from Europe and pending home sales improved.
Published on 12/30/2025
The Hidden Costs That Can Make or Break Your Mortgage Approval
Why Taxes and Insurance Matter More Than You Think When most homebuyers start house hunting, they focus on one number: “How much home can I afford?” Usually, that number is based on the purchase price and estimated mortgage payment. But there are two often-overlooked line items that can quietly shrink your buying power—or even stop a deal in its tracks: 👉 Property taxes 👉 Homeowner’s insurance Let’s break down why these matter so much, how they affect your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and what you can do to stay ahead of surprises.
Published on 12/29/2025