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: John Age: 30 Occupation: Logistics manager Goal: Get out of the rent cycle and stabilize monthly expenses Location: Austin, TX The Situation John was renting a 1-bedroom apartment for $1,780/month. Every year, the rent climbed — $75 here, $100 there. He liked the flexibility, but hated the feeling of having no control over his cost of living. When his
Why Buy One Property When You Can Strategically Buy Two? Savvy buyers are taking advantage of creative mortgage strategies that allow them to purchase both a primary residence and an investment property—at the same time. It’s called a combo loan approach, and it could be your ticket to building wealth while covering your own housing needs. Whether
Client Profile: Name: Malik Age: 34 Occupation: Commercial painter Goal: Buy a home before starting a family Location: Atlanta, GA The Situation Malik was preapproved in late 2020 for a $340,000 home with a 2.75% interest rate.He toured several properties, but got spooked by bidding wars, rising prices, and the media’s “bubble talk.” He decided to “wait 6 months” for
Client Profile: Name: Crystal Age: 31 Occupation: Digital marketing specialist Goal: Buy a first home that could also become a rental Location: Raleigh-Durham, NC The Situation Crystal was eager to buy her first property — but overwhelmed. Every day, new listings popped up that were “cute,” “cozy,” “charming,” or just barely within her price range. She’d been casually browsing for
Thinking About Buying a Home? Start with a Conventional Loan. For most homebuyers—especially those with good credit and stable income—conventional loans are the #1 choice. Backed by private lenders (not the government), they offer competitive rates, low fees, and flexible options. But what exactly is a conventional home loan—and how do you qualify? Let’s break
Client Profile: Name: Amanda Age: 33 Occupation: HR coordinator Goal: Stop paying rent and buy a condo near her office Location: Raleigh, NC The Situation Amanda had been renting a one-bedroom apartment for $1,780/month for nearly 5 years. She assumed she needed at least $40K in savings to buy a home. She had $11,500 in the bank.She almost gave up
Client Profile Name: Ryan S. Age: 29 Location: Cleveland, OH Profession: Civil Engineer Home Type: 2-bed starter home Purchase Price: $192,000 Renovation Budget: $28,000 Loan Type: FHA 203k Streamline Down Payment: 3.5% of combined amount Credit Score: 652 The Challenge Ryan found an affordable home near downtown, but it needed light repairs: a new roof, updated flooring, and bathroom upgrades. He didn’t want to take
Client Profile: Name: James Age: 38 Occupation (Then): Corporate project manager Goal: Build a real estate income stream big enough to replace his W-2 job Location: Indianapolis, IN The Situation James had owned a beautiful single-family home for 7 years and was shopping for a “forever home” in a fancier neighborhood. But he wasn’t fulfilled at work, and his long-term
Client Profile Name: Emily R. Age: 28 Profession: Graphic Designer Location: Raleigh, NC Income: $68,000/year Credit Score: 720 Loan Type: Conventional 97 (First-Time Buyer Program) Down Payment: 3% ($8,700 on a $290,000 purchase) The Challenge Emily had a stable job, decent credit, and had been renting for five years. She was tired of paying her landlord’s mortgage and wanted something of her own—but