Washington State Mortgages, Made Clear. Buying or Refinancing? Let's find the right loan together.
Most homeowners know that an FHA Streamline Refinance can lower their rate and payment with minimal documentation and no appraisal. What many people don’t realize is that this same program is available for investment properties — as long as the existing mortgage is FHA-insured.
If you originally bought a home with FHA financing and later converted it to a rental, you may still be eligible to refinance it under the FHA Streamline program. Here’s what you need to know. [Read more…]
When you’re shopping for a mortgage, it’s tempting to compare APRs — after all, that’s what the government designed APR for. The problem is that APR is one of the least reliable numbers in a mortgage quote. Here’s why, and what to look at instead.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect current guidelines. While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac no longer use the specific “Family Opportunity Mortgage” name, the expanded occupancy guidelines that allow this type of financing are still fully available and actively used today.
Most people know you can use conventional financing to buy a home for an elderly parent or disabled adult child — but fewer realize you can also refinance an existing home under the same expanded guidelines. If you currently own a home where a family member is living, or you’re planning to purchase and eventually refinance, this option is worth understanding.
This post focuses specifically on the refinance scenario. For a full overview of the program including purchase guidelines, visit the Family Opportunity Mortgage program page. [Read more…]
In a time when one might assume that their bank would work with them to refinance their home, many Washington homeowners are finding quite the opposite. I’m hearing from local homeowners who have made their mortgage payments on time and who qualify for refinance (income, employment and assets) yet their bank is either unwilling to provide the refinance or is taking several months to close it. [Read more…]
Refinancing with a HELOC or Second Mortgage (2026 Guide)One of the most common refinance questions I’m hearing right now is:
“Can I refinance if I already have a HELOC or second mortgage?”
Short answer: Yes — but how it works depends on your situation.
If you have a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or an existing second mortgage, refinancing is absolutely possible. It just requires a little more strategy.
After more than 25 years helping Washington homeowners with their mortgages, I can tell you this: [Read more…]
