Still Waters Lending

When selecting a mortgage lender, finding one who truly cares about your financial well-being is essential.

Here are 5things a caring lender will say and do:

1. Listen First, Advise Later:

A caring lender will take the time to understand your unique situation and financial goals before offering advice. They’ll ask detailed questions about your future plans, including retirement, to tailor strategies that work best for you.

2. Transparent Communication:

They’ll ensure you fully understand all terms, rates, and potential strategies, leaving no room for confusion.

3. Customized Mortgage Strategies:

A dedicated lender will create a mortgage plan specifically designed to meet your long-term financial goals.

4. Proactive Support:

They’ll provide ongoing support, answering questions and addressing concerns promptly. They’ll also stay in touch regularly after your mortgage is funded, offering proactive advice.

5. Focus on Your Wealth Growth:

Beyond securing a mortgage, they’ll help you use it to enhance your overall financial future.

Choose a lender who prioritizes your needs and guides you through the mortgage process with confidence and clarity.

The largest financial transaction of your life deserves the attention of someone who truly cares about your success and has the expertise to help you seize every financial opportunity.

This dedication requires extra effort, which is why many big banks might not offer it.

Debt can feel overwhelming, but leveraging the equity in your home might be the solution you need.

By using home equity to pay off higher-interest consumer debt, you can protect and grow your wealth.

Contact us for a full debt analysis and discover how you can turn your home into a powerful financial tool.

Let’s work together to put you on the path to financial stability and success.

Considering Selling Your Home Without an Agent?

Think twice before taking on this challenge alone.

Without an agent, you might miss out on essential benefits like:

Advanced Marketing Tools: Reach more potential buyers with professional marketing strategies.

Expert Pricing: Get the best price with accurate market analysis.

Skilled Negotiation: Benefit from top-notch negotiation skills to secure the best deal.

Handling the Fine Print: Navigate the complex paperwork with ease.

Why take on all that stress by yourself?

Let’s connect and ensure you have the professional support you need for a smooth and successful sale.

Facing bankruptcy can be challenging, but it’s not the end of your financial journey.

If you’re looking to rebuild your credit, here are some important steps to take:

🔹 Review Your Credit Report: Understand where you stand and identify any errors.
🔹 Create a Budget: Track your income and expenses to manage your finances better.
🔹 Pay Bills on Time: Consistently paying bills on time is crucial for rebuilding credit.
🔹 Consider a Secured Credit Card: Use it responsibly to start improving your credit score.
🔹 Avoid New Debt: Focus on paying down existing debt before taking on new credit.

Rebuilding credit takes time and effort, but every positive step brings you closer to financial recovery.

You’ve got this!

Save these tips for later and remember, we’re here to help if you need guidance. 🌟

🏡 Let's talk about REAL mortgage rates, shall we?

What Are Mortgage Rates?

Think of them as the "cost" of borrowing money to buy a house.

PS - Banks charge more interest than they pay you (that's how they make money!).

Now, What Is Inflation?

Inflation is like a shrinking potion for money. When it's high, money's value goes down.

How Does Inflation Destroy Your Mortgage Debt?

When you pay back your mortgage, you're using "shrunken" money!

The Secret Formula: Inflation-Adjusted Rate

Fancy term, but it's simple!

Subtract the current inflation rate from your mortgage rate.
- Example: If your mortgage rate is 7% and inflation is 2.75%, your real rate is 4.25%.

Why Does This Matter?

Even if mortgage rates seem high today, the adjusted "real" cost might be lower than the number you see and for most, who lock in a 30-year term, your fixed mortgage payment will remain the same (versus unexpected rent increases) at a time when your income usually also increases.

Curious to learn more?

Just shoot us a DM and we'll be happy to run an analysis for you!

Buying your first home can be confusing, especially when it comes to your first mortgage.

But don't worry—we're here to help!

With our expert advice just a click or call away, you'll have the knowledge and support you need to tackle this milestone with confidence.

Let's make your first homebuying experience a smooth and successful one!

Great news for first-time buyers with small deposits! 🏡

There are now more 95% mortgages on the market than at any point in the past two years, providing a boost for those looking to buy their first home with a smaller deposit.

This surge in low-deposit deals shows confidence returning to the mortgage market, despite rates remaining high.

Want to learn more about current mortgage rates and how saving a slightly bigger deposit can cut your repayments?

Reach out for a full cost/benefit analysis and start your journey to homeownership today!

What's Happening with Inflation?

In June, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped by 0.1% from the month before and went up by 3% over the past year.

This is slower than in May, which had no change month-to-month and a 3.3% yearly increase.

These numbers were better than what experts expected, who thought there would be a 0.1% monthly increase and a 3.1% yearly rise.

This is the first time since May 2020 that the monthly CPI has decreased. It's also the slowest yearly increase in prices since March 2021.

Even though inflation has been higher than the Federal Reserve's 2% target, recent data suggests that the central bank might think about lowering interest rates sooner.

Want to know how these changes might affect you? Reach out to us for more information and advice! 📊💡

Thank you Diana for trusting our team to guide you through the home buying process!

We pride ourselves on making sure it's a seamless experience for our clients, and we're so happy to have helped you secure your dream home. 🏠

Currently seeking tired renters... who do you know?

It's time to say goodbye to rent hikes and hello to homeownership!

Share this post with someone who’s ready for a change.

Our approach is unique because we prioritize a holistic financial perspective.

We take the time to understand each family’s goals in real estate and finance.

This personalized attention allows us to intentionally help more families achieve their dreams. 🏡

Experience the difference with our tailored process—designed with your success in mind.

🏡 Why are more Gen Zers buying homes with friends?

🤝 As housing prices rise and affordability becomes a challenge, many are teaming up to achieve their homeownership dreams.

Buying with friends can make it easier to afford a down payment and share expenses.

But - there needs to be a strategy for this!

If you are a GenZ'er or a parent of one, please send them this post so we can chat about this option further!

As we honor the brave men and women who fought for our freedom, let's also celebrate the places where we find peace and comfort.

This Independence Day, may your home be filled with love, laughter, and memories that last a lifetime. 🏡

🏡 Are you ready to declare independence from your landlord?

Imagine having the freedom to paint your walls any color, renovate your kitchen or bathroom, install your favorite fixtures, or create a beautiful garden in your backyard—all without needing anyone's approval!

Owning your home means having the freedom to make it truly yours.

All you need is a mortgage preapproval to get started on this exciting journey.

Let’s explore your options and turn your homeownership dreams into reality!

Homeownership has its perks, and building home equity is a major one! 🏡💰

Home equity is the difference between your mortgage balance and your home's market value.

Ready to maximize your home equity benefits?

Swipe through to learn more! ➡️

It’s the first Monday of July, and that means it’s time for this month’s home maintenance tasks!

Here’s what to focus on:

1️⃣ Prepare for 4th of July Celebration 🎇
2️⃣ Assess Mid-Year Financial Goals 📊
3️⃣ Clean and Seal Decks and Patios 🧼
4️⃣ Check Your AC Unit ❄️
5️⃣ Service Your Lawn Equipment 🌱

Stay proactive and keep your home running smoothly all summer long.

Let’s make this July the best yet!

When buying a home, it’s important to budget for closing costs.

Here’s an easy cheat sheet of what you can expect :

[SAVE THIS POST]

There may be some adjustments in these fees pending the NAR Settlement, but don't worry - we already have financing solutions to help all buyers WIN with REPRESENTATION!

If you'd like to discuss this further, just shoot us a DM. We are happy to help.

We're proud to be sponsors of Blue Guardian Foundation Run for the Blue 5k Dallas on July 6th.

Come join us as we support the men and women who protect and serve our communities.

This is our way of giving back to them!

Click on the link below to register:

https://raceroster.com/registration/a6ab6140-1ddd-4c44-86fa-05eea91b2016/entry?team=670954

Just in case any of the neighbors forget...

Haha

'mForHire

When buying a new home and selling your current one, choosing between recasting and refinancing can be a smart move, especially with interest rates likely to come down in the future:

1️⃣ Recasting: Make a large payment towards your mortgage principal to lower your monthly payments without changing your interest rate.

Ideal if you’ve sold your home and have a lump sum to apply to your new mortgage.

2️⃣ Refinancing: Replace your current mortgage with a new one, often at a lower interest rate or with different terms.

This can help reduce your monthly payments or cash out some equity from your sold home to fund your new purchase.

Deciding which option is best for you depends on your financial goals and the current market trends.

Swipe through to see which strategy might be right for you!

We're beyond grateful and feeling extremely blessed for this nomination!!

We want to thank our Families for their continued support...
We want to thank our Partners for continuously trusting in us...
We want to thank our Ops Team for holding things down while we continue to serve our clients and partners...
We want to thank our clients... We're thankful for the opportunity to serve you and your families through the home buying process.

and most of all... To our Team...

We share this with you!! This is our WIN!!

Thank you Everyone!!

Exciting News for Home Buyers! 🏡

There’s a growing inventory of homes on the market, making now the BEST time to shop!

Realtor.com reports that May marks the 7th consecutive month of increasing available homes.

This means more options and less competition for buyers!

Is it time to refresh your pre-approval letter?

Shoot us a DM and we'll be happy to crunch your numbers!

Many people delay buying their first home because they fear starting the conversation too early.

They don’t want to waste anyone’s time if they’re not ready for a few years.

But having a plan in place before you’re ready is crucial!

This is what we LOVE to do! The sooner we can chat, the more time, money, and headaches we can save you.

Don’t wait longer than you need to.

Let’s start planning your path to homeownership today!

Worried About Student Debt Holding You Back from Buying a Home? 🏡🎓

The truth is, having student debt doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting a home loan!

It’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Here’s what lenders consider:

1️⃣ Credit Score: Maintain a good credit score by paying bills on time and managing debts responsibly.

2️⃣ Income Stability: A steady job or reliable source of income strengthens your loan application.

3️⃣ Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Lenders assess your DTI to see if you can manage additional debt. Manageable student loan payments can still work in your favor.

4️⃣ Down Payment: Saving for a down payment shows financial responsibility.

There are loan programs with low down payment options for first-time homebuyers.

💡 Tip: Consider paying down high-interest debt or consolidating your student loans to improve your financial profile before applying for a home loan.

Have questions?

Send us a DM and let's start the conversation.

Before dismissing the idea of homeownership or trying to time the market perfectly, pause.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Assuming you can't afford a home without consulting a qualified mortgage lender (like us). :)

Focusing solely on interest rates instead of manageable monthly payments.

Waiting for the market to crash before buying.

Don't navigate these waters alone.

Reach out to us today for guidance and helpful insights into what you can afford.

It’s all about making well-informed decisions for you and your family.

We guide families in building generational wealth through leveraged GOOD debt when purchasing real estate! 🏡💰

If you would like to learn HOW to create generational wealth while optimizing how to pass this asset down to family members... then shoot us a message a let's chat!

It is almost mid-year financial review time... so how about a quick review breaking down income and budgeting? 🏡

Your income, or AGI (adjusted gross income), is your total income minus deductions and eligible adjustments as defined by the IRS for single filers.

Note: This doesn’t include state income tax for those living in states with a state income tax. 🏡

Here is a good rule of thumb for budgeting. It is called, "The 50/30/20 Budget"

• 50% for needs
• 30% for wants
• 20% for investing, saving, or paying off debt

If you are curious about how to leverage the equity in your current home to better balance the above percentages, message me, and let's talk money strategy!

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there! 🏡👨‍👧‍👦

This weekend, let's celebrate the fathers who make our homes warmer, our lives brighter, and our hearts fuller.

Enjoy the summer sun and make some unforgettable memories with your family! ☀️💙