Demi Blacklidge - Guild Mortgage

Are you a homebuyer looking at a fixer-upper? Or maybe you’re a homeowner who’s ready to renovate? Find out which home renovations have the highest—and the lowest—return on investment: “https://tinyurl.com/nxv42b8d?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

If you have questions about how to fund your renovations, just send me a message.

Great news! Rates are declining, unlocking better affordability and increased buying power for you! However, it's a double-edged sword, as lower rates also mean more competition with more offers and reduced seller credits. But there is still time to place you in a prime position to enjoy lower rates and retain negotiating leverage. Comment below or DM to request a free mortgage consultation to start your journey into homeownership! Now is the perfect time to get started.

What’s in store for the year ahead? Here’s what experts have to say about the 2024 housing market: “https://tinyurl.com/5433x9nj?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

As always, please reach out to me with any questions. If you’re thinking about buying or selling this year, I can let you know exactly what’s going on in our market.

Embrace a fresh start and discover a home that inspires you.

Whether it's more space to create, a cozy nook to unwind, or a kitchen that sparks joy, let our Team at Academy Mortgage guide you on the journey to financing your dream home. Call today. Let's make 2024 the year you find the perfect space to create lasting memories.

Do you feel like you can’t comfortably afford a monthly mortgage payment right now? When you use a Buydown, you’ll get a lower interest rate for up to the first three years of your mortgage. Reducing your rate can help reduce your monthly payment—often by several hundred dollars.
Contact me to explore your options.

The total amount borrowers need to bring to the closing table is often referred to as "cash to close". Cash to close can consist of closing costs, down payment, prepaid interest, taxes, and homeowners’ insurance. Contact me today and I can help run scenarios and find a loan that fits your life.

Exciting update! Mortgage rates are dropping, opening doors to improved affordability and more buying power for you! Yet, with lower rates comes increased competition and potential challenges. The good news? You still have time to take advantage, positioning yourself for lower rates and negotiation power. Ready to dive into homeownership? Comment below or DM me to kickstart your homeownership journey!

If you’re preparing to buy a home, have you started to budget for your closing costs? Find out how much you can expect to pay—and then contact me for more info on reducing them: “https://tinyurl.com/mvwm2ra6?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

Location, Location, Location!

They say it for a reason. The right neighborhood can make all the difference. Whether it's a short commute to work, your favorite schools, or easy access to amenities and public services, your surroundings matter. Our Team at Academy Mortgage is here to guide you to a mortgage that fits your needs. Will 2024 be the year that home is not just a place but a perfect location for your lifestyle? Call us today.

When the weather outside is frightful, buyers may find your client’s home delightful. Here’s why: “https://tinyurl.com/2p8p8sj2?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

DM me if you’d like this article as a co-branded email!

Most of us want to have the absolute best of what we can afford. However, when buying a home it is easy to claim something is necessary when it is really just a want. Consider what functions and features of your home you enjoy, this will be a starting point and then you can come up with a list of items and features you’ll need at the new place.

If you’re a young married couple with a small child, then you may feel more comfortable in an area with other younger children. On the other hand, if you are single with no plans to marry, the idea of being in children-packed neighborhood may not be ideal.

If you want to find our more about your area let me know—I can send you a link to a fun website called “Around the Neighborhood” where you can check out the demographics in the area your desired home is.

A stress-free home purchase is all about being prepared. How do you get ahead of the game? Gathering your financial paperwork.

Want a concise list of what you need? Shoot me a DM and I can walk you through the list of required documentation. Even better, we have our My Mortgage: Mobile App that makes it easier for you to submit all your paperwork hassle-free and securely submitted. I can send you a download link if you’re interested!

I think at least 2 of these strategies might be helpful to your clients—using a Temporary Buydown to reduce their rate for the first few years of homeownership and considering downsizing to get ahead. Feel free to pass along this list: “https://tinyurl.com/2p8c995s?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

Academy is proud to offer HomeBoost, a first-time homebuyer program with built-in down payment assistance for traditionally underserved communities. Qualified first-time homebuyers who currently reside in an eligible census tract in specific metropolitan markets will receive up to $6,500 in down payment/closing cost assistance. Let’s work together to put our first-time homebuyer clients on the path to homeownership! Contact me to chat about how HomeBoost can help.

Good real estate agents understand the current housing market. They know neighborhoods, housing inventory, the closing process, and how to negotiate with your best interest in mind. This means you want to hire some knowledgable and experienced! If you’re looking for an agent, let me know. I have an extensive network and I might be able to connect you with someone you’ll enjoy working with.

While you may be buying a house now with long-term plans in mind, that doesn’t mean things won’t change. Keep in mind the target audience that would likely be interested in purchasing your future home if your circumstances change and you decide to sell. If you need to find out “how much home” you can comfortably afford, send me a message and I can help you determine just how much.

The location of the property is the one thing you cannot change. Morning commutes to school and work can be a significant part of daily life. If the new location adds 20–30 minutes to the commute, that means you are giving up almost an hour every day. There are also things like proximity to family, friends, shopping, and entertainment.

Many states have down payment assistance programs that 1st-time buyers or even 2nd-time buyers could qualify for. My DM’s are open, message me if you would like to find out if you qualify for any of these programs.

Buyers with the highest credit scores will usually get approved for lower interest rate mortgages available, and for smaller down payment loans.

Contact me if you’d like to learn other tips on how you can possibly improve your credit score. Together we might be able to create a plan to improve your score.

*Academy Mortgage does not provide credit repair or credit counseling services.

Building your savings account now is important as there are many expenses you’ll need to pay for throughout the homebuying process—as well as later expenses like moving in, decorating, unplanned maintenance, and repair costs.

There are different ways you can start: You can set up an automatic transfer to your savings account from each paycheck, use your savings account to set aside bonuses you earn and tax refunds, etc.

Share this with your friends who want to buy a home in 2024!

The next tip to buying a home is to find out the monthly expenses for your future home, and to start saving for any unexpected costs. Message me if you want help figuring out these numbers and guidance on getting on the path to homeownership this year!

Talking to an experienced lender and getting pre-approved* before shopping for a home is extremely important! Doing this means a mortgage lender has reviewed your paperwork and is ready to give you a loan up to a certain amount before you find your dream home. Contact me today to learn more! Our My Mortgage: Mobile app makes it super easy to get this started.

*Pre-approval is not a commitment to lend.

Friends—starting December 13, I will be posting 12 days of homebuying tips to benefit anyone planning on buying a home in 2024. So, if you know someone planning to buy next year, give the gift of these tips so they can start the homebuying journey on the right path.

Should homebuyers pay off their student loans first? Or can they carry student debt and still qualify for a mortgage? The answer to this depends on a few factors: “https://tinyurl.com/5n93c4pu?lo=Demi-Blacklidge”

If your clients have concerns about student loans: Let’s talk. I can help you troubleshoot and find solutions.

Academy Mortgage has been named a 2023 Best Military Lender by National Mortgage Professional. Our nation's military servicemembers and Veterans sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms, and we are grateful to be able to give back by helping them achieve the dream of homeownership. Thank you to our team members who make it a top priority to help those who actively serve or who have served our country.