Choosing a mortgage lender is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home buying process — yet most people spend more time researching a refrigerator than they do selecting who will handle the largest financial transaction of their lives. Here’s how to shop lenders the right way, including questions that will quickly reveal whether you’re talking to a true mortgage professional. [Read more…]
Refinancing and Home Equity.
Refinancing isn’t just about lowering your rate — it’s about improving your overall financial strategy.
In this section, you’ll find educational resources explaining when refinancing makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to evaluate your break-even point. Whether you’re considering a rate-and-term refinance, cash-out refinance, HELOC, renovation mortgage, or reverse mortgage, understanding the numbers and long-term impact is critical.
Topics covered include:
- “Should I refinance?” scenarios
- Cash-out strategies for remodeling or debt consolidation
- Home equity planning
- Recasting and re-amortization
- Renovation loans and ADU financing
- Refinancing with a second mortgage
My approach is always low-pressure and analytical — we look at the math, your goals, and your timeline before making any decisions.
If you’re a homeowner in Washington State wondering whether refinancing could improve your situation, start here.
Wondering if now is the right time to refinance?
Every situation is different. I can run the numbers for your specific loan and help you decide if refinancing makes sense — no obligation, no pressure.
Holy cats! My credit card interest rates!
July 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment
I decided to take my own advice that I’ve been dishing out about credit cards and debts. Today I reviewed my credit card accounts to see what my current interest rates are. I’m pretty lucky to have great credit and that I’m able to pay off my debts monthly. [Read more…]
Divorce and Your Mortgage: What Washington Homeowners Need to Know
January 14, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Going through a divorce or dissolution of a domestic partnership is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. In the middle of everything else — attorneys, finances, emotions — your mortgage may feel like a detail you’ll deal with later. But how you handle the mortgage during and after a divorce can have lasting consequences for your credit, your finances, and your ability to buy a new home.
Here’s what Washington homeowners need to know. [Read more…]
Gimme your Best Interest Rate with NO Closing Cost
February 9, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The other day, a Redmond homeowner contacted me for a quote to refinance their home. They specifically requested scenarios for “lowest possible interest rate without paying any points or closing costs“. [Read more…]
Should You Refinance Out of Your FHA Loan to Eliminate Mortgage Insurance?
March 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Most homeowners think about refinancing to get a lower interest rate. But there’s another reason to refinance that often gets overlooked — eliminating FHA mortgage insurance. In some cases, refinancing from an FHA loan into a conventional mortgage can actually lower your monthly payment even if your new interest rate is higher.
If you have an FHA loan from 2019 through 2022 — when rates were historically low — this scenario may apply to you right now. [Read more…]
