From Prequalified to Offer Accepted: What Homebuyers Need to Know (Workshop Replay)

If you’re thinking about buying a home, there’s a lot that happens between casually getting “prequalified” and having your offer accepted. This workshop replay walks you through that entire early phase of the homebuying process—step by step—so you know what to expect, who’s involved, and how to position yourself as a strong buyer.

Below, you’ll find the replay of my Home Buying Workshop: From Prequalified to Offer Accepted, along with highlights and key takeaways from the class.

👉 Watch the full workshop replay below:

[Read more…]

The Mortgage Porter: Mortgage Rates for the Week of November 24, 2025

This week’s episode of The Mortgage Porter reviews current mortgage rates and what may impact rates this short holiday week. Plus, we review recent changes to Fannie Mae’s guidelines that removes the minimum credit score requirement of 620.

If you or anyone you know are thinking about buying or refinancing a home, I am happy to help! Feel free to contact me to review your scenario.

HUD Changes Citizenship Requirements for FHA Mortgages

mortgage underwriting guidelinesFHA issued an update to their guidelines (ML 2025-09) revising residency requirements for FHA mortgages. The new guidelines only allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and removes non-permanent residents from being eligible.

From Mortgage Letter 2025-09:

“Currently, non-permanent residents are subject to immigration laws that can affect their ability to remain legally in the country. This uncertainty poses a challenge for FHA as the ability to fulfill long-term financial obligations depends on stable residency and employment.”

This is an evolving situation. I expect other government backed loans to follow suit. Stay tuned.

 

Visiting Open Houses? You Need to Be Fully Preapproved

pre-underwritten preapproved homebuyerIt’s fun to visit open houses on the weekends. You may be picturing yourself living in the home, enjoying the backyard or perhaps making a few home improvements to really make it “yours”.

If you’re even thinking about buying a home, I strongly encourage you to get fully preapproved before you find yourself at an open house wanting to present an offer.

Here are some steps I recommend for anyone considering buying a home. [Read more…]

Dear Rhonda “Is this a second home or primary residence”?

I recently received this question from one of my readers:

Dear Rhonda,
I am looking for information about the general way loans are done related to primary residence or second home.

I currently own 2 duplexes. My wife and I are renting and working in a location that is around 130 miles away from the location the home we want to buy is located. My wife has no loans in her name and was able to qualify due to good credit and job at current location 130 miles from home we want to buy. We are trying to buy a place that is far from our work with the plans of moving to this location. [Read more…]