Washington State Mortgages, Made Clear. Buying or Refinancing? Let's find the right loan together.
Cheerful woman with family standing in back yard
I’ve written about the Family Opportunity Mortgage for purchases where certain circumstances allow one to obtain a mortgage for a family member who is either a student in college, a disabled adult child or an elderly parent. The Family Opportunity Mortgages allows financing to be treated as a primary residence instead of an investment property as long as the scenario meets certain guidelines. The Family Opportunity Mortgage is a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac program that is also available for refi’s! [Read more…]
If you listen to the soothing voices of NPR in the mornings, you may have heard NPR’s Wendy Kaufman’s interview discussing the challenges of refinancing with lower credit scores. I actually meet with Wendy about a week ago in Bellevue so she could interview me for this piece which I’m told will be airing again around 8:50 this morning PST on KPLU (88.5 a.m.).
You can also read the text version which includes a link to the broadcast: Home Loan Blues: Refinancing Isn’t So Easy [Read more…]
How to Calculate Your Break-Even Point When Refinancing (2026 Guide)One of the most important questions to ask before refinancing is:
“How long will it take me to recover the cost?”
That’s your break-even point.
After helping Washington homeowners with mortgages for over 25 years, I can tell you this:
Refinancing isn’t just about getting a lower rate.
It’s about making sure the math works for your timeline.
Let’s walk through how break-even works — and when it matters most. [Read more…]
