Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make — and understanding the mortgage process is key to making confident, informed choices.

In this section, you’ll find educational resources designed to help you navigate every step of the home buying journey. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, moving up to your next home, purchasing an investment property, or exploring options for a second home, these articles break down complex mortgage concepts into clear, practical guidance.

Topics include:

  • Getting pre-approved
  • Understanding credit and qualifying
  • Down payment assistance programs
  • Closing costs and escrow
  • Appraisals and underwriting
  • The mortgage process from offer to keys

My goal is to help you understand not just how to qualify — but how to structure your financing strategically so it supports your long-term financial goals.

If you’re buying a home in Washington State (or anywhere in the U.S.), and you want thoughtful guidance instead of pressure, this is a great place to start.

Avoid Delays with your Home Purchase

Here are a few suggestions for when you are preparing a purchase and sales agreement to help avoid delays. NOTE: I’m NOT an attorney and this is NOT legal advice. I’m simply a Licensed Loan Officer offering suggestions based on my observations.  🙂 [Read more…]

How to Buy a Home with your Roommate

Fannie Mae’s HomeReady mortgage allows a home buyer to qualify using “boarder income”.  What does this mean? Remember our favorite roommates Laverne and Shirley?

[Read more…]

MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate) wrapping up in 2016

piggybankbeltThe Washington State Housing Finance Commission has announced that the available funds for mortgage credit certificates (MCC) will be reduced in 2o16.  They estimate that the remaining funds will be reserved by the end of March (possibly sooner) and that after the available funds are all reserved, home buyers can go on a wait list. The fee for the MCC is increasing in 2016 as well.

[Read more…]

Before You Go to Your Signing Appointment [Updated]

This will be the third version of this post since I started writing The Mortgage Porter in late 2009. Things have overall changed for the better for consumers when it comes to the closing procedure. Last month, two new disclosures, the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, were introduced replacing the Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 Settlement Statement effective for loan applications dated October 3, 2015 and after. This post applies to loans originated after October 3, 2015. If your loan application is dated prior to October 3, 2015, you should refer to this post instead.

[Read more…]

Steps in the Mortgage Process when You are Buying a Home

iStock_000003709509SmallThe process of getting a mortgage consists of several stages and typically takes anywhere from 30 – 45 days (or more) depending on how prepared you are, what mortgage program you have selected and if it’s a purchase, the closing date may dictate how long the process will take. The steps below may not take place in the exact order I have listed and some steps may happen simultaneously.

[Read more…]