Blog Articles - Tevis Durbin

Why Appraisal Gaps Still Happen in Stable Markets

Appraisal gaps aren’t just a crash-market problem. Even in stable markets, thin data and optimistic pricing can trigger low appraisals. Here’s why it happens and how buyers can protect themselves.

Short-Term Rental Risk Starts With Rule Assumptions

Short-term rentals still work, but old assumptions do not. Learn why HOA rules, zoning, and enforcement shifts are creating rule shock for investors and how to protect your deal before closing.

Insurance Can Now Make or Break Your Mortgage Plan

Insurance is no longer a last-minute checkbox. Rising costs and tighter margins mean insurance can shape your mortgage deal from the start. Here’s how to stay ahead.

How Your Fixed-Rate Mortgage Payment Can Still Increase

Your rate can be fixed and your payment can still rise. Learn how escrow, taxes, and insurance work together and how to avoid payment shock in year two.

What an Escrow Analysis Letter Really Means for Homeowners

An escrow analysis letter is not junk mail. It explains why your mortgage payment changed, how taxes and insurance affect escrow, and what to do next.

When an ARM Makes More Sense Than a Fixed Rate

Adjustable-rate mortgages aren’t the risky loans many remember. In the right situation, today’s ARMs can lower payments, increase flexibility, and reduce financial strain.

Warrantable vs. Non-Warrantable Condos: Avoid Costly Surprises

Non-warrantable condos catch buyers off guard and make loans harder or pricier. Learn what warrantable really means and how to avoid condo financing surprises.

Condos Look Affordable on Paper Until the Financing Reality Shows Up

Condos often look like the affordable option until lenders review the association. Learn why condo financing fails, how to avoid surprises, and what buyers need to know.

The Emotional Cost of Almost Buying a Home And Why It Quietly Prices People Out

Repeatedly almost buying a home creates emotional debt that erodes confidence over time. Here’s why hesitation prices buyers out and how to break the cycle.