How Much Home Can I Actually Afford?

March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

How Much Home Can I Afford How Much Home Can I Actually Afford?

It’s one of the first questions every home buyer asks — and one of the most important. But “how much home can I afford” and “how much will a lender approve me for” are not the same question. Confusing the two is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes buyers make.

Your approval amount is determined by a formula. Your actual affordability is determined by your life. A good mortgage professional helps you understand both — and helps you build a plan that works for you, not just one that gets you to closing. [Read more…]

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The Mortgage Porter Weekly | Mortgage Rates, Conflict in Iran and Fed Week

March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Rates moved higher last week, but today (Monday, March 16th) delivered the best day for bonds since the conflict with Iran began — a meaningful bright spot heading into the week ahead. Here’s everything you need to know about where rates stand and what’s driving the market right now.

Geopolitical Update: Iran Conflict and Oil Prices

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How Your Car Payment Affects How Much House You Can Buy

March 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Car Payment Impacts Qualifying for MortgageIf you’ve been following the headlines lately, you may have seen reporting on how $800 monthly car payments are straining budgets and slowing auto sales. It’s a compelling story about the car industry. But from where I sit, there’s another story hiding in those numbers — one that affects far more people and almost never gets told.

That $800 car payment isn’t just hurting your ability to buy a car. It’s quietly taking a massive chunk out of what you can qualify for when you’re ready to buy a home.

Quick answer: At today’s common 6% rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, every $100 in monthly car payment reduces your home buying power by approximately $16,679. An $800 car payment alone eliminates $133,432 in mortgage qualifying amount — before a lender even looks at the rest of your file.

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What Is a Jumbo Mortgage

March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment

jumbo non-conforming mortgage washingtonEverything Seattle Metro & Puget Sound Buyers Need to Know

If you’re shopping for a home in Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Everett, Edmonds, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, or anywhere across King, Snohomish, or Pierce County, there’s a good chance you’ll hear the word “jumbo” come up in your mortgage conversation. But what exactly is a jumbo mortgage — and does having one mean you’ll face sky-high rates or impossible qualification standards? Not necessarily, and especially not here. [Read more…]

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Which Mortgage Program Is Right for Me?

March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Mortgage Programs for homes in Washington StateWhat Mortgage Program Is Right for Me? A Plain-English Guide to Your Options

If you’ve been asking yourself “what mortgage program is right for me?” — you’re asking exactly the right question. The loan type you choose affects your down payment, your monthly payment, your interest rate, and how easy it is to qualify. And the options are more varied than most people realize.

This guide breaks down every major mortgage program in simple terms: who each one is designed for, what the key requirements are, and how to think about your own situation. If you’ve ever been told you don’t qualify — or you’re not sure where to start — keep reading. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Home Buying, Mortgage Programs Tagged With: , , , ,
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