Robby Oakes Mortgage

Chapel Hill Mortgage Lender | Robby's Blog about Mortgages in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Crystal Coast area of NC

  • Home
  • Our Main Site
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
  • Contact Us

Creative Ways to Use Rent-to-Own Agreements to Buy a Home

July 10, 2025 by Robby Oakes

A rent-to-own agreement is a contract that allows a tenant to rent a home with the option to buy it later. Part of the monthly rent payment typically goes toward the future down payment or purchase price. This approach can be ideal for buyers who need more time to improve their credit, save money, or get financially ready for homeownership. It blends the flexibility of renting with the long-term goal of owning.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: First-Time Home Buyer, Home Buying Tips, Rent-to-Own Agreements

The Psychology of Homebuying and Emotions vs. Financial Logic

July 9, 2025 by Robby Oakes

Buying a home is not just a financial decision, it is an emotional one too. For many people, homeownership represents stability, success, and personal freedom. Whether it is the excitement of finding your dream kitchen or imagining holidays with family, emotions naturally come into play. These feelings can create a strong connection to a property and often influence the decisions buyers make, sometimes even more than logic does.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Emotions vs Logic, First-Time Home Buyer, Home Buying Tips

How to Finance Energy-Efficient Home Improvements with a Mortgage

July 8, 2025 by Robby Oakes

As more homeowners look for ways to reduce utility bills and make their homes environmentally friendly, energy-efficient improvements have become a smart investment. The good news is that you do not need to pay out of pocket for all the upgrades at once. There are mortgage financing options that allow you to make energy-efficient improvements while also making your home more comfortable and affordable in the long run.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Energy Efficiency, Green Mortgage, Home Upgrades

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 7th, 2025

July 7, 2025 by Robby Oakes

With next week featuring both the CPI and PPI reports, the release schedule for this upcoming week will be extremely light. This previous week featured a small number of notable data releases. First being the trade deficit which has shown a sharp decline due to the tariff policies, but has increased again with the pause on tariffs. The manufacturing sector has seen growth as well with the PMI Manufacturing data, but inflation also proves to have grown just as much. Lastly, employment numbers have shown a stronger than expected labor market, but there are still expectations that things will cool further.

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

Reflecting on the Meaning of Independence Day

July 4, 2025 by Robby Oakes

As Americans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, it is important to reflect on the core values that define our nation: freedom, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better life. These same ideals continue to inspire individuals and families across the country to pursue homeownership, which remains a foundational part of financial independence and long-term security.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: American Dream, Financial Freedom, Independence Day

Understanding the Basics of Mortgage Securitization

July 3, 2025 by Robby Oakes

Mortgage securitization is the financial process of pooling together multiple mortgage loans and converting them into tradable investment securities. These securities are then sold to investors in the secondary market. This process provides liquidity to lenders, enabling them to issue more loans and support continued access to home financing.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Home Loan Basics, Mortgage Market, Mortgage Securitization

Understanding the Federal Housing Administration Title I Home Improvement Loan Program

July 2, 2025 by Robby Oakes

The Federal Housing Administration Title I Home Improvement Loan Program is a government-backed initiative designed to help homeowners finance necessary repairs, upgrades, and improvements to their primary residence. Established under the National Housing Act, this program makes funding accessible for individuals who may not qualify for traditional home equity loans due to limited equity or lower credit scores.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Home Improvement Loan, Mortgage Education, Title I Program

The Impact of Gender and Race on Mortgage Approval Rates

July 1, 2025 by Robby Oakes

The mortgage approval process is a critical step in the path to homeownership. While lending guidelines are designed to promote fair and consistent evaluation, studies have shown that disparities persist based on gender and race. These differences raise important concerns about equal access to credit and the long-term effects on wealth building, community development, and financial equity in the United States.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Fair Lending, Homeownership Access, Mortgage Equity

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 30th, 2025

June 30, 2025 by Robby Oakes

With the passing of the previous busy weeks of rate decisions, this week features the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation report in the PCE Index, which has shown that inflation has come in hotter than expected for the month of May. This likely cements the Federal Reserve’s decision to take no action until later and further confirming most economists’ predictions. The consumer confidence has also taken a hit as it has further declined again for the month of May, indicating there is still significant apprehension within the markets and consumers alike. This is accompanied by Consumer Spending data, which met expectations, as many consumers had already begun pulling back on spending in response to tariff policies before many of those measures were paused.

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

From Pre-Approval to Closing What to Expect in the Mortgage Journey

June 27, 2025 by Robby Oakes

June is National Homeownership Month, making it the perfect time to understand the full path to homeownership. If you are planning to buy a home, especially for the first time, knowing what to expect during the mortgage process can take away much of the stress. This guide walks you through each step and highlights how working with the right mortgage professional keeps everything on track.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Mortgage Journey, National Homeownership Month, Pre-Approval To Closing

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 266
  • Next Page »

Robby Oakes


Robby Oakes

CIMG Managing  Director
NMLS# 91606

How can we help?

Connect with Us

CIMG Residential Mortgage

Quick Links

  • Our Main Site
  • Accessibility Statement
  • NMLS Consumer Access
  • Privacy Policy
©2025 Robby Oakes Mortgage Team
Corporate Investors Mortgage Group
NMLS# 39460.
Licensed to Do Business in the State of NC

Equal_Housing_Opportunity

Copyright © 2025 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in