Client Profile: Name: Nia Age: 31 Occupation: Freelance photographer Goal: Qualify for a mortgage without a co-signer Location: San Diego, CA The Situation Nia came to us excited to buy her first condo. She had good income, a stable 2-year track record, and $22K saved — but her credit score came back at 611. That one number almost killed the deal. […]
Client Profile: Name: Emily Age: 35 Occupation: ER nurse Goal: Replace income from night shifts within 10 years Location: Richmond, VA The Situation Emily wanted to invest in real estate, but she was overwhelmed by the jargon and didn’t think she had time to manage properties. When we introduced her to the concept of real estate’s 4 wealth streams, everything clicked.
If you already own a home, you may be sitting on the key to your next one—your equity. Instead of waiting to save for a new down payment, many homeowners use a refinance strategy to unlock cash and keep things moving forward. Whether you’re moving up, downsizing, or buying an investment property, refinancing your current
What If You Could Graduate With Equity Instead of Student Loan Debt? College used to be all about education and debt. But a new wave of young adults is using a smarter strategy: buying real estate as a student. With the right housing investment loan, you can purchase a home or multi-unit property, live in part of
Waiting for interest rates to drop?Hoping home prices will fall? You’re not alone — but while you wait, you might be losing more than you think. At Stairway Mortgage, we help you move forward with confidence today and flexibility tomorrow. Our 3-Year Refinance Guarantee gives you built-in control over your mortgage strategy — so you can stop renting, start
Why First-Time Homebuyers Should Understand Escrow Accounts 💡 Confused by the word “escrow”? You’re not alone.It sounds like complicated banker talk, but escrow is actually a simple and super helpful tool that protects your budget as a new homeowner. Once you understand how it works, you’ll wonder why anyone does it differently. 1. Escrow Is
Worried You Need 20% Down? Here’s the Real Deal. If you’ve heard that you have to put 20% down to buy a home, you’re not alone—and you’re also not quite right. The idea of needing a huge pile of cash stops a lot of people from even trying. But the truth is, there are flexible,
1. Set a Clear, Realistic Goal Start by knowing how much you actually need. Your down payment could be as low as 3% to 5% of the purchase price, depending on your loan type. So if you’re buying a $300,000 home, that could mean $9,000 to $15,000. Once you’ve got your number, set a deadline
1. Earnest Money Shows You’re Serious When you make an offer on a home, you’ll typically include earnest money—a deposit that tells the seller, “I’m committed.” It’s usually 1% to 2% of the purchase price, and it’s paid shortly after your offer is accepted. Think of it as a good faith gesture that says, “I’m
Most people think refinancing is just about chasing a lower rate. But the truth? It’s one of the most underused tools for building wealth, reducing risk, and creating long-term financial freedom. At Stairway Mortgage, we don’t just look at what a refinance can save you today — we help you understand how it can serve
1. Budget Realistically for Repairs and Renovations It’s easy to underestimate how quickly renovation costs can add up. Even cosmetic changes like paint and flooring can run thousands—and bigger repairs like plumbing, roofing, or foundation work can blow the budget fast. Before making an offer, get contractor quotes and set aside a buffer for unexpected