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How Buying a Home With Someone You Are Not Married To Changes the Financial Conversation

September 17, 2026 by Robby Oakes

Buying a home with a partner, friend, sibling, or other person can make homeownership possible sooner and allow two people to combine their financial resources. But when two people who are not married purchase a home together, there are financial conversations worth having before they begin looking at properties. A mortgage may be shared, but income, debts, savings, credit profiles, and expectations about ownership can be very different.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Homeownership, Mortgage Tips

What Happens to Your Mortgage Options When a Home Does Not Appraise as Expected?

September 16, 2026 by Robby Oakes

You have negotiated a purchase price, your offer has been accepted, and the mortgage process is moving forward. Then the appraisal comes back lower than expected. For buyers, that can be unsettling, but a low appraisal does not automatically mean the purchase is over. What happens next depends on the contract, available funds, financing, and what the buyer and seller are willing to do.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Appraisal, Mortgage Options, Mortgage Tips

Why the Type of Property You Buy Can Affect Your Mortgage Options

September 15, 2026 by Robby Oakes

When buyers start thinking about mortgage options, they often focus on their own finances: income, credit, debts, savings, and down payment. But there is another part of the equation that can be easy to overlook. The property itself matters. A traditional single-family home, condominium, manufactured home, multi-unit property, or unusual property may not be treated exactly the same when it comes to financing.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Buying, Mortgage Options, Mortgage Tips

How Mortgage Underwriting Looks at Your Financial Picture

September 11, 2026 by Robby Oakes

Mortgage underwriting can seem mysterious when you are buying a home. You submit documents, answer questions, and sometimes receive requests for additional information without knowing exactly what is happening behind the scenes. Understanding the purpose of underwriting can make this stage of the mortgage process much less intimidating.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Loans, Mortgage Tips, Mortgage Underwriting

Why Your Cash Reserves Matter After You Buy a Home

September 10, 2026 by Robby Oakes

Saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs can feel like the primary financial goal when purchasing a home. However, becoming a homeowner does not mean your need for savings disappears at closing. Keeping money available after the purchase can provide an important financial cushion as you adjust to the costs and responsibilities of homeownership.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Emergency Fund, Homeownership, Mortgage Tips

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Robby Oakes


Robby Oakes

CIMG Managing  Director
NMLS# 91606

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