Washington State Mortgages, Made Clear. Buying or Refinancing? Let's find the right loan together.
When it comes to getting a mortgage, how much you earn matters — but so does how you earn it. A W-2 salary looks very different to an underwriter than an hourly wage, a part-time paycheck, or income from a second job. And if you’ve recently started a new position or are expecting a pay increase, there are specific guidelines that govern whether that income can even be used to qualify.
Let’s break it all down. [Read more…]
One of the most common questions I get from home buyers in Washington State is: how much should I put down? The short answer is: it depends. But the longer answer is actually pretty interesting — and knowing the tradeoffs can save you real money.
Let’s walk through how your down payment affects your loan, your rate, and your monthly payment. [Read more…]
What Mortgage Program Is Right for Me? A Plain-English Guide to Your OptionsIf 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…]
First-Time Home Buyer Programs: Your Guide to Buying a Home in Washington StateBuying your first home can feel overwhelming—especially in a competitive market like Washington State. Between rising home prices, headlines about interest rates, and confusing mortgage terms, many first-time buyers wonder: Is homeownership even possible right now?
The good news? There are several first-time home buyer programs designed to make buying a home more accessible and affordable—often with low down payments, flexible credit guidelines, and even down payment assistance.
As a mortgage advisor with over 25 years of experience helping first-time buyers, I’m here to break down the most common programs, how they work, and how to decide which one may be right for you. [Read more…]
HUD has released the 2026 FHA loan limits for homes located in Washington State. FHA loan limits are set each year and vary by county and by the number of units (1–4 unit homes).
These limits determine the maximum base loan amount you can finance using an FHA-insured mortgage. If your loan amount is higher than the FHA limit for the county where the property is located, you may need a different type of financing (such as a conventional or jumbo loan), or a larger down payment. [Read more…]
