by Tevis Durbin | Feb 12, 2026 | Mortgage
A lot of buyers assume appraisal problems only show up when markets are crashing. But what about when prices are stable, homes are selling, and inventory is tight? When an appraisal comes in low, it feels confusing and even personal. You wonder how it can be that low...
by Tevis Durbin | Feb 10, 2026 | Mortgage
Many real estate investors learn this lesson the hard way. They buy a property assuming short-term rentals will work. Airbnbs have always operated in the area, and nothing has changed. Next thing they know, enforcement shows up, or the HOA sends a letter. Maybe a city...
by Tevis Durbin | Feb 5, 2026 | Mortgage
For a long time, insurance felt like one of the easiest parts of buying a home. You picked a house and got approved. Insurance showed up near the end, you checked a box, and you closed. That order is no longer holding. Today, insurance can quietly determine whether a...
by Tevis Durbin | Feb 3, 2026 | Mortgage
If you’ve ever heard “Congrats, your rate is locked!” and felt your shoulders drop, you’re not alone. For most buyers, that moment means relief and certainty. It also leads to a common assumption: if my rate is locked, my payment must be locked...
by Tevis Durbin | Jan 29, 2026 | Mortgage
It happens every year. A homeowner opens their mortgage statement, sees a higher payment, and their stomach drops. “Did my lender change my interest rate?” A few days later, they find an unopened letter buried in a stack of mail. The subject line sounded...
by Tevis Durbin | Jan 27, 2026 | Mortgage
Say “adjustable-rate mortgage,” and many people still flinch. That reaction makes sense. The last time ARMs were widely used, many borrowers didn’t fully understand them, and the system didn’t protect them. Payments jumped, options were...
