Susan Harris Spalthoff, Mortgage Banker - NMLS# 57162

Wishing everyone a fun and safe Memorial Day! 💗💙💗

The better your credit score, the more options you’ll have when you go to take out a home loan. So, make sure you do a deep dive into your credit and get your score where it needs to be before applying.

Have questions about credit? Give me a call at (203) 506-5233 today!

With summer only a month away, now is a great time to make sure your curb appeal is in order. Here are 4 simple things you can do to add that sparkle to your home! 🌞

Informed homebuyers are successful homebuyers! Check out today's Mortgage Monday blog for all of the necessary info and updates in the mortgage industry! 😃

Mortgage Monday - May 16, 2022 | Total Mortgage Blog Total Mortgage's week-by-week updates on industry news, mortgage rate changes, and more.

This week's Mortgage Monday is in! Check it out for the latest industry news & updates!

Mortgage Monday - May 9, 2022 | Total Mortgage Blog Total Mortgage's week-by-week updates on industry news, mortgage rate changes, and more.

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌷

Being a first-time homebuyer can come with many questions and uncertainty about how the overall process works. Here are the 6 steps of the mortgage process that you will go through when buying a home.

Take a look at the 6 steps below, and let me know if you have any questions! 😀

Saving enough money for a down payment on a new home is often one of the largest hurdles for first-time homebuyers. I think we can all agree that saving money isn't the easiest task, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible!

If you're like most people and struggle to save, then these 6 tips to help save money towards a down payment are for you! Check them out and let me know if you have any questions!

Using a local lender is a wise choice! 😉

Local lenders know the surrounding areas better than anyone else, and they can offer you a more personalized customer experience.

Is it time to upsize? Check out the chart below to find out if you’re ready for an upgrade and let me know if you have any questions. 😀

Home inspections protect home buyers from buying a house that may need costly repairs. To avoid any significant issues down the road, check out these three home inspection tips, and let me know if you have any questions!

You can do these seven simple things to help make sure you get the most value out of selling your home.

Great credit doesn’t happen overnight, but you can boost your score over time with good, consistent habits. You can get started with the 4 tips below and let me know if you have any questions!

Understanding what you need to close on a home will help you be prepared and make intelligent decisions during the home buying process.

What do you think is included in closing costs?

Getting pre-approved is the first thing you should do if you're looking to buy a home. Being pre-approved will come in handy because not only does it let you know your budget when searching for a home, but it shows that you're a serious buyer.

Here are 5 documents you'll need to get started. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions!

You don’t need to put 20% down to buy a house! ❌

There are many loan options, and some allow as little as 3% or even zero down for those who qualify!

Give me a call, and we can discuss the options available to you!

Becoming a Real Estate investor is one of the most popular ways to create passive income streams. If owning rental properties isn't your jam - there are other ways you can do it to take in all the benefits of being a real estate investor! REITs, flipping houses, real estate mutual funds, limited partnerships, and investment groups are just a few additional ways people have dabbled in real estate investing.

Happy Tax Season! And may the odds be ever in your favor. The deadline to file your 2021 returns is Monday, April 18th. If you're looking to e-file here are some platforms to consider:

IRS Free File
TurboTax
H&R Block
TaxAct

Here's a (not so) secret to help you put your best foot forward when applying for a mortgage! Your credit score isn't the only factor when deciding if you qualify for a home loan.

We consider these nine factors - so if you think any of the items below may hinder your chance of approval, take the steps now to improve them before applying for a mortgage.

Mortgage rates have seen increases of nearly half of a percent - and they are projected to continue increasing throughout 2022.

With rates at their highest in the past two years and experts commonly predicting a return to a “new normal,” the window to finance a home with long-term savings is closing.

Contact me today to discuss your options.

Recently closed on this picture-perfect unit with gorgeous ocean views!

If you’re selling your home in the winter months, you may have an easier time if you spice up the curb appeal. A little bit of cozy charm goes a long way! You want potential buyers to picture themselves returning to this welcoming home at the end of a long, cold day.

Winter can be a tough time for homeowners, but just take it one step at a time! If you try to tackle everything all at once, you can easily become overwhelmed.

Wishing you and yours some well-deserved downtime and a very happy new year to come!

You don’t have to spend a fortune to increase the value of your home—these cheap, simple tips can help you make your home look refreshed without breaking the bank. Even something as simple as a fresh coat of paint, or adding decor to your front porch can work wonders!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

It's fairly common for empty nesters to consider downsizing for the sake of their financial health, but have you thought about the location and the type of neighborhood you'd prefer? Check out this handy flowchart if you're not sure what you're looking for in a new home.

DID YOU KNOW? A man named Horace Burgess built the biggest treehouse just outside of Crossville, Tennessee. Clocking in at 97 feet tall with a 12-foot diameter base, the tree only cost around $12,000 to build. It even contained a church and a bell tower. Unfortunately, the treehouse burned down in 2019. Burgess took this in stride, though, noting that “this is just how things go.”

Minister's Treehouse This structure among the trees was the result of divine inspiration.

If you’ve been feeling restricted by FHA loan limits, you’re in luck—these limits are increasing effective January 1, 2022! Refer to the chart below to see the new limits for low-cost and high-cost areas for homes with up to 4 units. Questions, concerns, or comments? Feel free to reach out—I’m available whenever you need me!

Good news for home buyers! Your purchasing power has increased—you can now borrow up to $647,200 with a conventional home loan, an increase of 18% since last year! The loan limits have also increased for multi-unit properties, making it easier to secure a higher-value home. Remember that this is just the baseline national average, limits can be higher in certain areas—feel free to reach out should you have any questions!