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What can I afford?
That’s often a starting place for many when considering a home purchase. There are several ways to approach this question. Frequently...
Rebecca Richardson
2 min read


Don’t jeopardize your mortgage approval
News You Can Use If you’re considering a home purchase you’ve likely heard suggestions on steps to take prior to purchasing a home. With...
Rebecca Richardson
2 min read


Welcome to a Seller’s Market
Let’s start at the beginning: a seller’s market means sales are outpacing the number of homes available. If you’ve been house hunting...
Rebecca Richardson
3 min read


The 4 Cs of Mortgage Lender
Mortgage lenders look very carefully at each loan application before they lend money. Just like jewelers carefully examine diamonds under...
Rebecca Richardson
2 min read


Seller Paid Closing Costs
“What’s the maximum a seller can pay to buyer’s closing costs?” This is a question I’m often asked and the answer – as with many...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


Three-Legged Stool
When you apply for a home mortgage lenders evaluate three main parts of your application. This review can be compared to a three-legged...
Rebecca Richardson
2 min read


Renting vs. Owning: A Cost Comparison
“Should I rent or buy?” No matter where you live, it’s a big question. Renting offers people fewer maintenance responsibilities and the...
Rebecca Richardson
4 min read


What is PITI?
PITI is the handy acronym for your monthly mortgage payment. It’s pronounced like the word “pity” and the letters stand for the four...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


Getting a Mortgage While Separated/Divorced
Separation and divorce is often a time of significant change. Beyond the emotions involved there is the reality that life going forward...
Rebecca Richardson
2 min read


APR vs. Interest Rate. What are the Differences?
When shopping for a mortgage, be mindful that an advertised interest rate is not the same as your loan’s annual percentage rate or APR....
Rebecca Richardson
3 min read


5 things that count in a FICO score
Lenders use the FICO Score to help set the terms, conditions, and amount of your mortgage loan. FICO calculates a credit score from 5...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


9 “do’s” when getting a mortgage
Applying for a mortgage loan is an extremely interactive process. It’s very important that you and we stay closely in touch. Here are 9...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


4 Homebuying Myths
It's easy to get lost in a sea of misinformation when it comes to buying a home. Sometimes the information you find or hear is outdated....
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


Increasing Credit Scores
Taking the steps to increase your credit scores is an important part of your financial health. There are ripple effects of having a good...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read


Macaroni Kid: Financial Resources for Women ft. Rebecca Madej (now Richardson)
Rebecca gives some important advice on managing your credit score in the article below. "Consider these five easy steps to managing your...
Rebecca Richardson
1 min read
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