Mortgage Programs

Not all mortgage loans are the same — and choosing the right program can make a significant difference in your payment, qualification, and long-term financial flexibility.

This section covers the most common and specialty mortgage programs available to homebuyers and homeowners, including:

  • FHA Loans
  • VA Loans
  • USDA Loans
  • Conventional & Jumbo Loans
  • HomeReady & Home Possible
  • Down payment assistance programs
  • Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) programs
  • Specialty programs for medical professionals and unique scenarios

Understanding eligibility guidelines, loan limits, credit requirements, and program benefits allows you to compare options strategically rather than relying on headlines or general advice.

As a Mortgage Advisor with over 25 years of experience, I help clients evaluate which program best aligns with their income, assets, and long-term plans.

Explore the programs below to better understand your options.

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 1 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…]

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Lease to Own: A Path to Homeownership When You’re Almost There

March 6, 2026 by 2 Comments

lease to own hoome dreambuilder Lease to Own: A Path to Homeownership When You’re Almost There

Not quite qualifying for a home yet? There’s a program worth knowing about — it’s called DreamBuilder, and it’s designed specifically for buyers who are close, but not quite there. [Read more…]

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Mortgage Programs for Homebuyers – Workshop Replay

February 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Mortgage Programs for Homebuyers

Understanding your options and choosing the right loan for your goals

When people hear the term mortgage programs, they often assume there’s a single “best” loan—or that qualifying automatically means one fixed option.

In reality, mortgage programs are simply different rule books. Each program has its own guidelines around down payment, credit flexibility, mortgage insurance, and how competitive your offer looks to a seller.

In this workshop replay from my Home Buyer Workshop Series, I walk through the most common mortgage programs available to homebuyers—especially first-time buyers—and explain how loan choice can be used strategically to create affordability and strengthen your offer.

Watch the Workshop Replay

[Read more…]

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Using a Reverse Mortgage for Home Improvements

February 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment

reverse mortgage aging in placeUsing a Reverse Mortgage to Improve Your Home and Age in Place.

For many homeowners, the goal isn’t to move — it’s to stay.

I often speak with homeowners who love their neighborhood, their community, and their home, but realize that the house itself may need updates to support the next phase of life. Whether that means improving accessibility, upgrading systems, or making the home more comfortable and efficient, remodeling can play a key role in aging in place.

For homeowners 62 and older, a reverse mortgage can be a valuable option to help fund those improvements. [Read more…]

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