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Risks Of Waiving The Appraisal Contingency
Waiving the Appraisal Contingency? Read This Before You Risk Your Deposit By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor In a competitive real estate market like ours here in the Baltimore-Washington, DC area, bidding wars can be intense. Buyers are always looking for an edge, offering a faster settlement, more cash down, or waiving contingencies. One…
Read MoreA Simple Credit Hack To Improve Your Credit Score
The Credit Score Hack That Can Save You Thousands on Your Mortgage By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor One of the most frustrating moments for a homebuyer is seeing their credit score and thinking, “That can’t be right. I pay all my bills on time!” While paying on time is crucial, it’s only half…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide for First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Washington, DC (2026)
The Ultimate 2026 Guide For First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Washington, DC By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Updated October 2026 Start Your Pre-ApprovalStart Pre-Approval Request a QuoteRequest a Quote Understanding First-Time Homebuyer Programs in DC With the median home price in Washington, D.C. sitting at $681,500 as of August 2026 (Source: GCAAR), the financial…
Read MoreA Rational Look at Rate Cuts and Home Prices
By now, you have probably seen headlines like this, “The Federal Reserve will cut interest rates six times in 2024” Then, as you scroll through Instagram or TikTok, you are flooded with real estate marketing posts saying, “BUY NOW before prices surge as low rates unleash a wave of buyers.” Should you believe the hype? …
Read MoreSave on Closing Costs with the DC First-Time Homebuyer Transfer Tax Reduction
Save on Closing Costs with the DC First-Time Homebuyer Transfer Tax Reduction First-time DC buyers: Qualify with incomes up to $209,340 (1-person household) and homes ≤ $794,000 by reducing your recordation tax from 1.45% to 0.725%. Get Approved Now Schedule Strategy Session Why Do So Many DC First-Time Homebuyers Miss the Transfer Tax Reduction? Buying…
Read MoreShould You Borrow from Your 401K?
Should You Use Your 401(k) to Buy a Home? An Advisor’s Honest Answer By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor For most homebuyers, the down payment is the single biggest hurdle to clear. It’s no surprise that the most common question I get is, “What do you think about using my 401(k) to buy my…
Read MoreFirst-Time Homebuyer Mistakes
Top 2 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor After working with thousands of first-time homebuyers over the past 20 years, I’ve seen the same costly mistakes happen time and again. The excitement of buying a first home is incredible, but it can also create blind spots. The challenge is that the…
Read MoreThe Game of PMI
PMI Strategy: Which Option Saves You the Most Money? A Case Study By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) often gets a bad rap. Many homebuyers view it as a penalty for not having a 20% down payment. The reality is that PMI is a strategic tool that can help you…
Read MoreDown Payments: How Much Should I Save Up?
The 20% Down Payment Myth: Why Waiting Could Cost You More By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Down payments are one of the most important topics when buying a home. But how much should you really save? I think the best way to answer this is with a story. A few years back, I…
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