NEWS & INSIGHTS

A $2,015 Difference in Monthly Payments Deserves a Conversation A $2,015 difference in monthly payments deserves a conversation before a buyer walks away. Here's a real scenario I'm seeing: $1.5M home purchase 40% down → $900,000 loan amount Option A: 30-year fixed at 7.25% → ~$6,140/month principal & interest Option B: First-lien HELOC at 5.50% (interest-only) → ~$4,125/month That's a $2,015/month difference. The HELOC isn't for everyone — it's variable, interest-only, and r

Self-Employed for Just One Year? You Can Still Qualify for a Mortgage. Self-employed for just one year? You can still qualify for a mortgage. I often meet clients who became self-employed after a career change, a move to freelancing, or starting their own business. Many are told by other lenders that they need two years of self-employment income. That is not always the case. We work with self-employed borrowers who have only one year of self-employment income. There are two p

What Rates Are My Clients Actually Closing At? What rates are my clients actually closing at? I reviewed the loans I personally closed in 2026 so far including QM and Non-QM loans. These two charts show the note rate distribution: Primary residences and second homes: • Average rate: 6.163% • Range: 4.875%–7.125% Investment properties: • Average rate: 6.448% • Range: 5.5%–7% Behind every rate is a different borrower, property, and financing strategy. When I work with a client,

20 Loans. $10M Funded in September 2026. 20 loans. $10M funded in September 2026. 🎉 With rates approaching 7%, every closing took work. What encourages me most is that our junior LOs keep bringing in new prospects and loans. They’re putting what they learn into practice. And our support continues when things get difficult. One junior LO faced unexpected issues during his first closing. I sat with him at the closing table for two hours. We worked through every issue. One by o

First-Time Homebuyer Math: $226,000 Purchase, ~$500 Cash to Close Today, I sat down and did the math for a first-time homebuyer. Purchase price: $226,000. Estimated cash to close: $500. Yes—just FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. How is that possible? The buyer qualifies for: • 0% down • Up to $15,000 in forgivable assistance toward eligible closing costs and downpayment, but limited to 6% of the purchase price • No monthly PMI The interest rate is 7.375%. That number may sound high at fi

Clear to Close in Just 8 Business Days! 🎉 Clear to Close in Just 8 Business Days! Speed matters in real estate—but speed without execution means very little. This loan reached CTC in only 8 business days including appraisal, thanks to strong teamwork, clear communication, and everyone staying one step ahead throughout the process. Very proud of the GMCC Vera Team and grateful for everyone behind the scenes who made this happen. For our clients and referral partners, our comm

Buy Without Sell: When You Don't Have to Sell Your Current Home Before Buying the Next One. $104K annual income. $550K new home. 10% down. Three weeks to close. Most lenders said no — the current home was listed, but with no offer in hand. One suggested a hard money loan. But this borrower wasn't buying an investment property. They were simply moving from one primary residence to another. Here's the situation: 🏠 Current Home - Expected sale price: $450,000 - Outstanding mort

Vera Chang GMCC District Manager If you plan to purchase a new primary residence and rent out your current home, Fannie Mae’s updated guideline may affect how much you can qualify for. Effective for applications dated November 1, 2026, or later, with earlier adoption permitted, here are the key changes: 1. Lease agreements can no longer be used to determine qualifying rental income from a departing residence. While this may simplify the documentation process, the qualifying c