Geoff Tomlinson at Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. NMLS 145641

A drop in mortgage rates is helping make 2024 an extra happy new year for homebuyers and owners. See what that means for your homeownership plans.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

What today’s mortgage rates mean for you A drop in mortgage rates is helping make 2024 an extra happy new year for homebuyers and owners. See what that means for your homeownership plans.

Your income, your net worth and your marital status are just a few of the things that don’t impact your credit scores. Do you know the others?
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Things that don’t affect your credit scores Your income, your net worth and your marital status are just a few of the things that don’t impact your credit scores. Do you know the others?

It can be a stressful world out there, but your home should be one place where you can relax. Check out how to create a stress-free living space.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Tips for making your home a stress-free sanctuary It can be a stressful world out there, but your home should be one place where you can relax. Check out how to create a stress-free living space.

Paying with plastic has its perks, but you need to stay on guard against credit card fraud. Check out these strategies to help keep your cards secure.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Tips to protect yourself from credit card fraud Paying with plastic has its perks, but you need to stay on guard against credit card fraud. Check out these strategies to help keep your cards secure.

Do the shorter days have you feeling the winter blues? Here are some ways to help brighten your home and your mood this season.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

7 ways to brighten your home this winter Do the shorter days have you feeling the winter blues? Here are some ways to help brighten your home and your mood this season.

Planning an upcoming trip? Before you leave home, use this checklist to help keep your place safe and secure while you’re away.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to prepare your home before leaving on vacation Planning an upcoming trip? Before you leave home, use this checklist to help keep your place safe and secure while you’re away.

If you didn’t see the news, loan limits for conforming and FHA loans are increasing! Here’s what that means for homebuyers, owners and sellers.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

What mortgage loan limit increases mean for you If you didn’t see the news, loan limits for conforming and FHA loans are increasing! Here’s what that means for homebuyers, owners and sellers.

What would happen if you couldn’t use your credit or ATM cards in a crisis? Find out how to be prepared by setting aside enough cash at home.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How much cash to keep at home for emergencies What would happen if you couldn’t use your credit or ATM cards in a crisis? Find out how to be prepared by setting aside enough cash at home.

Hesitating about buying a home because of high mortgage rates? Learn if buying now and refinancing later may be the solution.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

84% of Recent Homebuyers Plan on Refinancing Hesitating about buying a home because of high mortgage rates? Learn if buying now and refinancing later may be the solution.

History can repeat itself, but 2023 was no 2008 for real estate. Here’s why U.S. home values are staying strong despite some predictions to the contrary.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Why predictions of a housing crash haven’t come true History can repeat itself, but 2023 was no 2008 for real estate. Here’s why U.S. home values are staying strong despite some predictions to the contrary.

If you’re short on gift-giving ideas for the holidays, this simple guide will help you find something that’s just right for everyone on your list.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Tips to find the perfect gifts this holiday season If you’re short on gift-giving ideas for the holidays, this simple guide will help you find something that’s just right for everyone on your list.

Parents often avoid talking about money with their children, but doing so can provide valuable lifelong benefits. Here are some lessons to consider.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Important lessons to teach children about money Parents often avoid talking about money with their children, but doing so can provide valuable lifelong benefits. Here are some lessons to consider.

Whether you have a small home or a big household, storage can be a challenge when closets are few. These options can help you stylishly store your stuff.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Home storage ideas for those short on closet space Whether you have a small home or a big household, storage can be a challenge when closets are few. These options can help you stylishly store your stuff.

You may be surprised which mundane activities can jeopardize a mortgage application. Follow these important dos and don’ts when applying for a home loan.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Dos and don’ts when getting a mortgage You may be surprised which mundane activities can jeopardize a mortgage application. Follow these important dos and don’ts when applying for a home loan.

Sometimes, buying a home means competing with other buyers for the same property. These strategies can help you submit a winning bid.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Homebuyer strategies for winning a bidding war Sometimes, buying a home means competing with other buyers for the same property. These strategies can help you submit a winning bid.

Planning to buy your first home or know someone who is? Here are seven common pitfalls to avoid for a more rewarding home purchase.
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

7 first-time homebuyer mistakes to avoid Planning to buy your first home or know someone who is? Here are seven common pitfalls to avoid for a more rewarding home purchase.

Three out of four adults use credit cards, but myths persist about how these financial products work. Do you know the truth behind these common myths?
Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

The truth behind common credit card myths Three out of four adults use credit cards, but myths persist about how these financial products work. Do you know the truth behind these common myths?

If you’re paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI) on your home loan, you may qualify to remove it early. Since mortgage insurance only protects your loan servicer (the company you make your mortgage payments to) and not you, the sooner you can get rid of it and stop paying monthly premiums, the better. Here’s an ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to remove private mortgage insurance early Insurance is often a good thing, but the sooner you can get rid of private mortgage insurance, the better. Learn about the options for early PMI removal.

The paint colors that you choose for your home have a subconscious effect on your mood. That’s why taking the time to figure out which colors work best in each of your rooms is key to tying your home together. While it can be tempting to stick to strictly neutral tones, consider introducing a few ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Mood-boosting paint colors for your home’s rooms Discover which paint colors may be the right choice for your home’s rooms with this guide to creating the perfect mood in each space.

Including kid-friendly features in your home’s outdoor spaces encourages children to unplug and enjoy the outdoors without having to leave your property. Whatever your home style is or the yard space available to you, check out these ideas for outdoor features that kids will love. Liven up your landscaping If you have kids or pets, ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Simple ways to make your outdoor space more kid-friendly If you have kids and are looking for ways to keep them active and entertained, here are some fun features to consider for your home’s outdoor spaces.

More than 43 million Americans have student loan debt, with the average borrower paying around $200/month. Student loans can open the door to a valuable education and a rewarding career, but carrying and paying off that debt can be a financial burden and a barrier to homeownership. While it can be more challenging to get ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Can you get a mortgage if you have student debt? Even with student debt, homeownership is possible. Learn how those who have student loans can strengthen their qualifications to finance a home purchase.

It can be overwhelming to manage all your expenses and income without a dedicated plan. Creating and following a budget allows you to spend money with confidence without losing track of your financial goals. Follow these steps to develop and maintain a budget that aligns with your lifestyle and financial plans. Track your spending The ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to create and follow a budget Do you know where your money is going? To track your finances, spend with less guilt and reach your goals sooner, check out this simple budget guide.

First impressions can matter, and that’s true when it comes to your home as well. Whether you’re preparing to list your home for sale or you’re just looking to elevate its exterior appearance, there are simple steps you can take to boost your property’s curb appeal. Impress your neighbors and any potential buyers with these ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Tips to boost your home’s curb appeal Whether you’re planning to sell your home or just want to give it an exterior makeover, these tips can help elevate the curb appeal of your property.

Once you’ve found a home you want to buy and signed a real estate contract, you’ll typically want to order a professional home inspection. While getting an inspection is generally not required, and the cost is usually your responsibility, it is a highly recommended step to help protect you from potentially costly surprises with the home’s ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

What to expect during a home inspection Buying a home is a big investment, and a home inspection can help ensure that investment is a sound one. Learn what to expect during this important step.

Summer is well underway, and there are many ways to embrace the warmth and sunshine. A few simple adjustments to your decorations and living spaces will allow you to bring the refreshing feel of summer into your home. Check out these tips to open your doors to the season. Grab the Greenery Take advantage of ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Tips to open your home up to the outdoors this summer Bringing a bit of the outdoors inside can be a great way to enhance your home. Here are some ideas on how to do just that this season.

Homeownership can be a rewarding investment, but the upfront costs are one of the biggest barriers to buying a home. Many people believe they need tens of thousands of dollars to purchase a property, but much more affordable options may exist. Here’s an overview of just how much cash you may need to buy a home. ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How much money do you need to buy a home? It’s easy to find the asking price of a home for sale, but how much cash do you need to buy one? Here’s a helpful guide to the upfront costs of homebuying.

Your credit scores are simple numbers that can have a big effect. Everything from the credit card offers you receive in the mail to how much you pay on a new loan may be impacted by your credit scores. If your scores aren’t as strong as you think they are, buying your next car, home ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to check and understand your credit scores for free Do you know what your credit scores are and what they mean for your credit health? If not, here’s a crash course on how to find out at no cost.

You don’t need to visit a movie theater to enjoy a movie theater experience. These days, with the availability of affordable and portable video equipment, you can host your own backyard movie nights, sports game parties or video game sessions without breaking the bank. Here’s what you need to share big-screen outdoor entertainment on a ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to DIY an outdoor movie night A warm summer evening and a night at the movies are two simple joys. Here’s how to combine them at home by hosting your own backyard movie night.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you may be aware of a challenge that has appeared over the past year. After the period of record-low mortgage rates that lasted from about 2020 through 2021, rates have since risen back to a level that was last seen in the 2000s. This means that financing a ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

Strategies for buying a home when mortgage rates are higher Are you hesitating to purchase a home due to higher mortgage rates? Check out these cost-saving strategies that may allow you to buy sooner.

Homeownership provides shelter, stability and a sense of pride, and it can also serve as a valuable financial asset. If you find yourself in need of extra funds, tapping into your home equity can be an attractive option. Today, homeowners who want to access their equity without refinancing their mortgage and giving up a low ...
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Geoff Tomlinson's Mortgage Report

How to take cash out of your home and keep your mortgage rate Want to convert some of your home equity to cash without losing a low mortgage rate? A HELOC or a home equity loan may be right for you.