Credit and Financial Strategy

Your mortgage approval doesn’t start with a rate — it starts with your credit profile and financial structure.

In this section, you’ll find educational articles on:

  • Credit scores and reporting
  • Debt-to-income ratios
  • Mortgage insurance
  • Bankruptcy recovery
  • Financial planning considerations
  • Long-term homeownership strategy

Understanding how lenders evaluate credit and income allows you to prepare strategically rather than reactively.

My goal is to help you improve your financial scenario — whether that means preparing to buy, restructuring debt, or planning your next move.

Questions? Let's talk!

Your write-offs may impact qualifying for a mortgage

UPDATE: Guidelines have changed quite a bit since the writing of this post. Please contact me for current information based on your personal scenario. 

From my email bag:

My husband and I are in the process of looking for a lender we are negotiating an offer at this time. We are both paid with W2-s and fear that we will be asked for our tax returns since we have plenty of write-offs as we are in sales. In this case, will the lender look at our adjusted income on our tax forms instead of the yearly salary?

[Read more…]

How Much Money are You Spending on Credit Cards?

Tis the season to buy gifts and many of us rely on our credit cards to do so. Not just at Christmas time, but throughout the entire year. It’s a convenience many are dependent on. With the fees and interest banks charge for the convenience of credit cards, it’s amazing what you really end up paying over the year(s) if you carry a balance. [Read more…]

The Risk of Extended Closings

With more short sales taking place, many home buyers are having to wait months before their closing date is here. The same may be true for those who are buying homes that are being constructed.  With a delayed closing, there are some additional risk involved that buyers should be aware of so they can take action, when possible, to protect themselves. Some risks, borrowers have more control over than others. [Read more…]

How Disputes on Your Credit Report May Impact Obtaining a Mortgage

Reviewing your credit report and disputing information that is being wrongly reported about you is your right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Obtaining your credit report and making sure that it’s accurate is financially responsible and your duty to protect your credit. And the Federal Trade Commission provides you tips on how to dispute items on your credit report.  Did you know that lenders may not accept a credit report where it indicates there is a disputed item? [Read more…]

Shallow Credit can leave you in the Deep End when Qualifying for a Mortgage

When in comes to qualifying for a mortgage, lenders are generally looking for borrowers who have established a history of paying their obligations on time. Ideally this would consist of four accounts that have been open and used for the last one to two years.  When someone does not have active accounts, or when their accounts are all new, their credit history appears “shallow” to some lenders. [Read more…]