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Robby Oakes Mortgage Team
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Serving Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, Wilmington, Charlotte, Morehead City and all of North Carolina.

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 2nd, 2026

November 2, 2026 by Robby Oakes

The FOMC rate decision has been announced, and the Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged. In a press statement, the Federal Reserve stated that inflation risks have eased in recent months.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Report, Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates

Why the Square Footage in a Listing May Not Match the Mortgage Appraisal

October 30, 2026 by Robby Oakes

A home’s advertised square footage can influence which properties buyers tour, how they compare asking prices, and what they expect from an appraisal. But the number in a real estate listing is not always the same as the living area reported by a mortgage appraiser. Differences can occur even when nobody intended to provide misleading information. Understanding why can help buyers evaluate a home more accurately.

Filed Under: Home Buying Tips Tagged With: Home Buying Tips, Mortgage Appraisal, Square Footage

Can a Detached Garage Affect Your Home’s Mortgage Appraisal?

October 29, 2026 by Robby Oakes

A detached garage can be a major selling point. It may provide covered parking, extra storage, or room for hobbies and projects. But buyers sometimes assume that every square foot of a detached structure adds value in the same way as living space inside the house. During a mortgage appraisal, the analysis is more specific. The appraiser looks at the structure’s condition, function, and contribution to market value.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Detached Garage, Mortgage Tips, Property Value

Why an Easement on the Property Could Raise Questions During Mortgage Approval

October 28, 2026 by Robby Oakes

You may love a home’s layout, yard, and neighborhood without realizing that someone else has a legal right to use part of the property. That right may be an easement. Easements are common, and many cause no problems at all. Still, buyers should understand what an easement allows, where it is located, and whether it affects the property’s value or access before moving forward with a mortgage.

Filed Under: Home Buying Tips Tagged With: Home Buying Tips, Mortgage Education, Property Easements

Can a Home-Based Business Affect Your Mortgage Approval?

October 27, 2026 by Robby Oakes

A home office, a small workshop, or a room used to meet clients may seem like a normal part of modern homeownership. But when you apply for a mortgage, the way a property is used can matter just as much as how it looks. A home-based business does not automatically prevent financing. The questions usually involve whether the property remains primarily residential, whether its use is permitted, and whether the lender can comfortably evaluate it as a home.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Financing, Mortgage Approval, Mortgage Tips

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Robby Oakes


Robby Oakes

CIMG Managing  Director
NMLS# 91606

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