FAQs

Do you have the lowest rates?

I offer highly competitive rates, but the lowest possible rate isn’t always the key to securing your dream home. While you may find a slightly lower rate if you search long enough, the real question is: do you want the absolute lowest rate, or do you want to win the home you love? In a competitive market, multiple buyers—including cash offers—may be bidding on the same property. My ability to close quickly, navigate financing challenges, and personally advocate for your offer with the listing agent can make all the difference. I don’t just get you a great rate—I help get you the keys to your new dream home!

It’s also important to look beyond just the rate. Many lenders advertise low rates but add upfront costs through points and fees. While I can structure loans with points to lower rates, it’s crucial to compare apples to apples in your research. I often meet or beat written offers that include rates, fees, and points to ensure you’re getting the best overall deal.

Overall, remember interest rates may change over time—your home is the long-term investment. You want to date the rate, but marry the home!

How fast can you close?

I close on time—often in as little as 9 days—so you can stay competitive, even against cash offers. As part of a full-service mortgage lender, my team is able to underwrite, close, and fund most loans in-house which means lower interest rates and closing costs along with faster turnaround times. On average, it takes us 23.03 days for a loan to move from application to clear-to-close — much quicker than the industry average of 47 days.

How is my interest rate determined?

First, your credit score is the most important criteria in determining your rate. With this, we'll also look for multiple late payment occurrences over the last two years.

Second, we’ll look at your monthly obligations (this does not include utilities, phone, or items generally not reported on a credit report) and use them to help calculate your interest rate. We use two ratios to determine this, the front-end and back-end. A “grade A” conventional loan is one in which a borrower has a front-end ratio less than 28% and a back-end ratio less than 36%.

Finally, we factor in the amount of your initial down payment. The less money spent on the down payment means a higher interest rate is charged. Simply stated, the more risk for the lender equals a higher rate for the borrower. Even if a borrower has perfect credit and wants to put 0% down, their rate will generally be about 0.5% higher than a person who puts 10% down.

What are the benefits of getting pre-qualified?

Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage is a great first step to kickstart your homebuying journey. Pre-qualification gives you a picture of how much you can afford based on your credit, income, and debt. It helps you determine your budget, understand estimated monthly payments, find the right loan program, strengthen your offer, and save time.

What are discount points?

Lenders generally charge discount points for the following purposes. One discount point equals one percent of the loan amount. Discount points are used to lower the interest rate. The discount fee is normally charged as a line item on your Closing Disclosure at the time of closing.

What is the purpose of a credit report?

An important key point I consider when helping you decide which loan program is the best for you is to view your credit. The purpose of this report is to pull your credit history from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. I’m required to use outside companies to acquire your credit report, as they are impartial to the findings on your credit report. Your account balances and account history on your report are verified. You will then be provided with your “credit score.”