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.

Buying a Home with Owner Occupied Financing After Refinancing Your Home as Owner Occupied

I’m seeing a trend where home owners are refinancing their current home as “owner occupied” and then weeks after closing, try buying another home as “owner occupied”.  You cannot have two owner occupied homes.   It’s really that simple. [Read more…]

How to Buy a Seattle Home with $10,000

NOTE: Mortgage rates quoted in this post from April 2010 are outdated and no longer valid. For a current mortgage rate quote for a home located anywhere in Washington, please click here. Also, other programs available since this post was published. 

I recently had someone getting ready to buy their first home ask me if $10,000 would be enough for a down payment.  If she had served in the military, she could possibly qualify for a zero down VA loan; this was not an option for her.  USDA loans also offer 100% financing but the area she’s considering is not classified as rural. [Read more…]

Can I Convert My Existing Home to an Investment Property to Buy My Next Home?

EDITORS NOTE: These guidelines have changed. If you’re buying a home in Washington state, please contact me for current guidelines.

This is a common question I’m asked these days…mostly because many home owners don’t have as much equity as they would need in order to sell their current residence.  With home prices being at their lowest in years, many want to take advantage and buy their next home and simply rent out their current residence.

[Read more…]

FHA Financing Not Available on a Listing? BIG MISTAKE

UPDATE: FHA loan limits have changed since this article was published. Please refer to our FHA Guide which includes current FHA loan limits for Washington state homes.

Someone recently landed on my blog by entering the phrase:

Why are so many homes not FHA approved?

[Read more…]

What Should a Preapproval Letter Contain?

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about preapproval letters at The Mortgage Porter…however it has been a while and I would say that with all the changes in the mortgage industry, your preapproval letter is more important than ever.  Most Seattle area real estate agents will not accept an offer on a home that’s listed for sale without a bona fide preapproval letter. [Read more…]