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The following information is usually required during the loan process: Social Security number. Current pay stubs or, if self employed, your tax returns for the past two years. Bank statements for the past two months. Investment account statements for the past two months. Life insurance...

The road to selling a home can be a long one. Learn to improve the value of your home based on your budget with the following tips!   Home Improvements: Under $100   Spend an hour with a professional - Small suggested cosmetic improvements can go a long way. Inspe...

Rent vs. Buy- 5 Year Look 🏡 Rent or Buy? The Great Housing Debate! 🤔 Whether you're calculating mortgage rates or exploring rental options, the decision between renting and buying is a significant one. Join the conversation as we weigh the pros and cons of both paths to finding your perfect pl...

Dreaming of a fixer-upper? 🏡💡 Here's your go-to guide for turning that house into a home sweet home! #FixerUpperMagic #HomeRenovationTips

Pre-Approval tips Pre-approval is the most important step when starting your homebuying journey! Getting pre-approved for a home should not only be the first step to your homebuying journey, but it is the most important step. Pre-approval is the process of determining how much home you can afford ba...

The Mortgage Firm is the #1 Hometown Heroes lender in the state‼️ This program provides $10,000 - $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence. The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program also offers a lower firs...

If you're planning to apply for a mortgage, providing us with these specific documents is vital to getting the ball rolling. The sooner we have them, the sooner we can get you pre-approved and into your new home! If you're making plans, gather clear copies and have them ready so we can get r...

MORTGAGE CHECKLIST The following information is usually required during the loan process: Social Security number. Current pay stubs or, if self employed, your tax returns for the past two years. Bank statements for the past two months. Investment account statements for the past two mo...

5 Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid By TMF Marketing Buying your first home is an exciting time, however, it comes with some big decisions that can be scary. First-time homebuyers are more likely to make mistakes that could leave you with some regrets later on. Here are some common mistakes to avoid...

VA Home Loans provide unique opportunities for Veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families in recognition of their service to our nation. Special Benefits of a VA Home Loan Options for No Down Payment Fewer Closing Costs Better Terms Better Interest Rate...

Throughout the loan process there are things you can do and things you can avoid that will make everything run smoother. Let us show you how we make "Closing Simplified".

Why Higher Mortgage Interest Rates Wouldn't Stop Me From Buying a Home If you're ready to buy a home, don't pass up the chance just because rates are up a little. Key points Mortgage rates have risen since 2021's record lows. Some home buyers are concerned about rat...

Student Loan Debt?   Not a problem! You don't need to be debt-free to purchase your future home; we have plenty of options to cater to your needs. Let's take a look at how student loan debt might affect your ability to get a mortgage. When qualifying for a mortgage something we...

Interested in a lower interest rate for the first two years of your loan? Our 2-1 Buydown Loan Program may be the perfect fit! Contact us today to get started on your home journey!

  If you have been impacted by Hurricane Ian, with regards to your property and/or employment, please contact the TMF Customer Resolution team at: (855)-648-4808 option 4!

  Not sure what program is best for you? Contact us today and we can help you find the perfect option that will make your dream home a reality!

We are excited to announce that Conventional Loan Limits have increased! Contact us today to get pre-approved!

How much money should you pay for a down payment? Bigger down payment: Lower interest rates Lower monthly payment Reduced mortgage insurance costs Smaller down payment: Buy a home sooner More funds for repairs or renovations Extra funds for emergencies

#9  Automate your Savings If you're the type of person who's prone to impulse shopping, you may want to consider automating your savings.  First, decide how much you want to save per month for your down payment.  Then contact your bank and authorize an automatic withdrawal...

#7  Pick up a Side Hustle In today's world, it's a lot easier to earn money on your own time with a side hustle. Here are a few ideas you can consider to get started:   Pick up freelance work Drive for a ride share company like Lyft or Uber Pet sit or walk Test ap...

#5  Reduce or Cut Out a Bad Habit Reducing or cutting even one bad habit can help you put away a good chunk of money in a year.  Consider the following habits and whether diverting those dollars can help grow your down payment fund.  Implulse buying:  If you're prone to...

#3  Tax Refund Conider using your tax refund towards your down payment!  Tax season may be the perfect opportunity to qualify for a new home.  IRS tax refunds are eligible as a source for a down payment for homebuyers.  With several low down payment options available, even a s...

#1  Build a Budget The first step in the saving process is budgeting.  If you don't know where your money goes every month, it's impossible to divert money to your down payment.  Start reviewing your bank statements and all your credit card payments.  Consider how much...

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. This program provides down payment and clo...

Here are some important things to consider when searching for land on which to build your dream home:   1.)  LOCATION:  This is always the most important consideration in any real estate purchase.   The safety, surrounding resources and potential for future g...

Great ideas from Better Homes & Gardens   How to Install and Maintain Durable Residential Epoxy Flooring | Better Homes & Gardens (bhg.com)      

Are medical collections dragging your credit score down? Beginning July 1st, 2022, credit companies will make it easier for homebuyers to not get penalized for some medical collections! Contact us today to get started on your dream home journey!     Credit companies will now re...

DO'S DO Provide all requested financial documentation within 24 hrs DO Disclose all of your income that you would like considered for qualifying purposes DO Disclose all of your debts (i.e. side business, alimony, child support, additional real estate owned etc.) DO Be upfront about...

Once the loan has been approved, the closing process begins. During closing, the property title passes from the seller to the buyer. A closing agent, usually an attorney or official from a title company, oversees this process. The closing documents are then signed, the loan is funded and the process...

Once the processor submits the complete loan file to underwriting, it is checked to make sure the borrower and property meet all of the guidelines for the loan. The underwriter is responsible for approving or denying the loan application. Loans are sometimes approved with conditions. Once the borrow...

Loan processors will verify all documents relating to the borrower as well as the property being purchased. They will review all of the information in the loan file, request any additional documentation, and assemble an orderly and complete package for the underwriter. ·   &...

Once you have found a home and have gotten into contract, our home loan experts will assist you through filling out the official loan application. The property information will be entered, any documentation that needs to be updated will be requested and you will be issued disclosures to review and s...

GETTING STARTED WITH PRE-APPROVAL One of our experienced Loan Originators will evaluate your credit, income and assets to determine what ranges of home prices you qualify for. Once this process is complete, you will receive a Pre-Approval letter that solidifies you as a strong buyer, to submit wi...

1. The Fed* does not control the mortgage rates.    2. Rates fell before the recent Fed rate cut.  Investors regularly speculate and place their bets in anticipation of Fed action. This will move markets in advance.   3. The Fed sets the Fed Funds and discount rate...

It's more affordable to own than to rent, but gap is narrowing (cnbc.com)  

RATE LOCK:  A guarantee from a lender of a specific interest rate for a period of time. REAL ESTATE AGENT  A licensed professional who facilitates the buying and selling of real estate. REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT (RESPA):  A federal law requiring lenders to give...

MORTGAGE:  A financial arrangement wherein an individual borrows money to purchase real property and secures the loan with the property as collateral. MORTGAGE INSURANCE:  A policy that fulfills that obligations of a mortgage when the policy holder defaults or is no longer abl...

HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT: A type of mortgage loan that allows the borrower to draw cash against the equity in his home. HOME INSPECTION: A complete examination of a building to determine its structural integrity and uncover any defects in materials or workmanship which may adversely affect...

APPRAISAL: The money value of property as estimated by an appraiser.   AD VALOREM TAX: The phrase ad valorem is Latin for “according to value”.  A tax levied in proportion to the value of the property.   ASSESSED VALUE: The value set on real estate...

Outdoor Home Maintenance Checklist Fireplaces, blankets, warm drinks...there is no doubt fall is the beginning of the home-y season. But before you begin to transition to spending more time indoors, get your home ready with this outdoor home maintenance checklist. Clean Gutters and Downspouts...

When the housing market is slow, buyers can become easily and understandably frustrated. Rather than putting yourself and your family through that, why not rethink a refinance? Even if you still plan to relocate in the future, you can always borrow from your current equity to renovate and make your...

Mortgage Myth #6: No gifts or grants are allowed for a down payment. Truth: You are allowed to use gifts and grants to help your down payment for qualifying loan types, and as long as the sources are documented. Mortgage Myth #7: Getting pre-qualified is the same as getting pre-approved. Trut...

Mortgage Myth #1: You MUST put down 20% to purchase a home. Truth: There are loan programs that you can put down as little as 3%! If you are a Veteran or have VA benefits, you may not be required to put down anything at all. We will help you choose the right loan program to fit your financial nee...

Mistake #1: Not using a Real Estate professional to represent you. Buying a home is an exciting and fun process but can also be stressful and emotional. When you think about negotiations, inspections, appraisals, insurance, financing, etc., you’ll have to prepare yourself for a full-time jo...

It's important to start saving early when wanting to buy a home. Here are the main costs to consider while doing so! #1 Down Payment: Your down payment requirement will depend on the type of mortgage you choose. We have loan programs available for as low as 3% down. Use a down payment calc...

Homebuyers in many areas of Lake County, FL are finding themselves in a seller's market right now. More often than not, buyers are reporting bidding wars. Mount Dora, Tavares, Leesburg, Eustis and surrounding cities are seeing a surge in multiple buyers vying for fewer available homes. How ca...

  The pie chart shows how different factors impact your credit score. Are you surprised that payment history counts the most? Looking at credit score components, we can easily come up with a few guidelines for maintaining healthy credit: - Pay bills on time. - Do not close...

3 Steps to financial peace of mind using a Cash Out Refinance #1. Use the equity in your home tp pull out cash and pay off debt such as credit cards, auto payments or personal loans. #2. Use the extra funds from paying off your debt to set up an emergency fund. #3. Use the money that was go...

Interest rates have varied greatly over the past 50 years. We've historically seem them fluctuate from year to year.  However there's no denying that in recent  times, we've seen them at very attractive lows. No one knows how long these trends will remain or when they can shift...

Are you happy with your home but feel it needs a makeover? Maybe it needs some minor touches or maybe something more sizable like an addition, a new kitchen or a pool. Many of our customers are taking advantage of the current lower interest rates to not only lower their mortgage payments, but...

Did you know that beginning the home buying process is as simple as picking up the phone? Its true! When you call us, we will get to know a little about what you’re looking for and what we can do to get you closer to turning the dream into a reality. By answering a few simple questions,...

Are you a first time homebuyer?  Lake county has a down payment assistance program that can get you $20,000, $30,000, or $40,000 towards your down payment! There are income limits and other qualifications apply.  Call us today to see if you may be eligible!

With property values increasing many people are finding that a manufactured home meets their housing needs in a very affordable way.  There have been concerns in the past that they were not as safe as single family block homes however we require that manutactured homes we lend on meet current b...

It happened again.  My buyer "Chris" found the perfect house and made an offer.  It just went on the market the day before.  Sweet home, great condition, superior location, and priced right.  While pre-qualified, for weeks I had been trying to get Chris to understand th...

Effective today The Mortgage Firm is now sending out closing packages for e-signatures!  Most all documents can be signed electronically while just a few documents, the mortgage and note for example, need to be signed in person at the title company.  I was a part of the pilot program. The...

I’ve been noticing a credit trend recently. Young homebuyers who saw their parents struggle during the recession about 10 years ago are choosing to stay away from credit. They pay cash for most everything for fear of finding themselves in the same scary financial situation. And then they tr...

Not so fast on that refinance! Many mortgage companies will convince you that refinancing your current mortgage is a smart move, but there are so many factors to consider other than just lowering your rate. Every case is different and you must look at how many years you have left on your current mor...

What is the MLS and what does it do?  MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.  The MLS is a member organization that compiles real estate information and tracks the status of individual property listings and area real estate markets. Direct access to the MLS is limited to members, a...

How exactly does a credit rating fit into qualifying for a mortgage? Of all the factors that go into qualifying for a mortgage (income, assets, job stability), credit rating is the one factor that seems the most difficult for many to overcome. Luckily it is the easiest to improve! Here are the mo...

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) housing programs have helped thousands of families over the years purchase homes with no money down. The program was instituted about 40 years ago to promote homeownership in rural areas. For years, Lake county was considered rural and this has been no...