Posts

Why Homeowners Insurance Should Not Wait Until the Final Week

Image
A buyer can love the home, negotiate an acceptable price and receive a competitive mortgage rate—then discover that the homeowners-insurance premium changes the entire payment. Insurance is not simply a closing document. It is part of the buyer’s monthly housing expense and mortgage qualification. What is included in the housing payment? When buyers talk about a mortgage payment, they often mean principal and interest. Lenders generally need to consider the more complete expense, which may include: Principal and interest Property taxes Homeowners insurance Mortgage insurance HOA dues Other required property-related expenses If the actual homeowners-insurance premium is higher than the estimate used during preapproval, the monthly payment increases even if the loan amount and mortgage rate remain unchanged. That can affect the buyer’s debt-to-income ratio and available purchasing range. Which homes may require extra attention? Every property needs appropriate coverage, but an earlier in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Has Oklahoma Down-Payment Assistance Run Out?

Image
Many potential homebuyers assume down-payment assistance works like a small grant fund: once the available money is claimed, the program disappears. That is not always how Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency financing works. OHFA states that its Single Family loan program has maintained continuous funding since 1980. Its participating lenders can use eligible OHFA financing to help qualified Oklahoma buyers with down-payment and closing-cost needs. Continuous funding does not mean unlimited approval. It means buyers should not automatically rule out the program because they heard that another grant or local assistance fund ran out of money. What should buyers understand? OHFA financing includes a first mortgage combined with assistance that can be applied toward eligible upfront costs. Qualification depends on factors that may include: Household or qualifying income Purchase price Property eligibility Credit and underwriting Occupancy Applicable loan-program requirements The rate and assis...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mortgage Credit Scoring Is Changing: What Oklahoma Homebuyers Should Know

Image
Mortgage credit scoring may be entering one of its largest periods of change in decades. The Federal Housing Finance Agency has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to expand the availability of VantageScore 4.0 to approved mortgage lenders. At the same time, federal officials are considering changes to the traditional practice of obtaining information from all three national credit bureaus. Those headlines sound dramatic, but buyers need to understand the difference between a policy announcement and complete lender implementation. What is VantageScore 4.0? VantageScore 4.0 is an alternative to the classic FICO models traditionally used in mortgage lending. It evaluates credit information differently and can use trended credit data, which looks at how balances and payments change over time. When information such as rental payments is reported to a credit bureau, the model may also consider that history. This could be helpful for some consumers who responsibly pay rent but have limited t...
Post a Comment
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Read more

Waterstone Raises Its Conforming Loan Limit to $845,000

Image
  If you’re shopping for a home and your financing needs are approaching jumbo territory, there’s a new reason to review your options. Waterstone Mortgage has announced a temporary increase in its conforming loan limit to $845,000 for eligible one-unit homes. The change applies to qualifying loans with new rate locks beginning September 10, 2026. For buyers in Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks and surrounding communities, this could provide another option when deciding how to finance their next home. What does the higher limit mean? Loan limits help determine which mortgage programs can accommodate the amount you need to borrow. Waterstone’s increase allows qualifying borrowers to explore its eligible conventional programs for loan amounts up to $845,000. If you previously discussed jumbo financing because of your loan amount, it may be time to compare the options again. The right fit still depends on your finances, the property and your goals. The loan amount and purchase price ar...
Post a Comment
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Read more

Mortgage Rate Headlines vs. Your Actual Loan Options

Image
A mortgage-rate headline can be useful, but it is easy to give it more meaning than it deserves. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey is a widely followed national benchmark. It helps consumers and housing professionals see broad market direction. It does not quote a rate to a specific borrower. What the survey tells you Freddie Mac releases the PMMS on Thursdays. The published averages reflect survey methodology and assumptions described by Freddie Mac. They are useful for comparing broad changes over time and understanding the general rate environment. What it does not tell you A national average does not account for every detail of an individual transaction. Available rates and terms may vary based on the loan program, credit profile, down payment or equity, occupancy, property type, loan purpose, points or lender credits, lock period and market conditions when the rate is locked. Not every borrower or property fits the same scenario. Why the full loan estimate matters When ...
Post a Comment
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Read more

Appraisal Reports Are Changing: What Oklahoma Realtors Should Know About UAD 3.6

Image
  Beginning November 2, 2026, new appraisal reports submitted to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through the Uniform Collateral Data Portal must use UAD 3.6. New reports using the older UAD 2.6 format will receive an unsuccessful submission status. For Realtors, this is not simply an appraisal-industry technology update. It is a reminder that accurate, organized property information can materially affect the efficiency of a mortgage transaction. UAD 3.6 introduces a more structured and detailed approach to describing residential property characteristics. Realtors are not responsible for determining appraisal condition ratings, quality ratings, or market value. However, listing and transaction teams can help ensure that the underlying facts are readily available. A useful property-information packet might include: A complete list of renovations and approximate completion dates Permits or contractor documentation when available Accurate concessions and seller-paid expenses HOA dues and pr...
Post a Comment
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Read more

A New Financing Path for Some Previously Moved Manufactured Homes

Image
  Manufactured housing plays an important role in Oklahoma, particularly for buyers seeking affordability or purchasing in rural communities. One long-standing obstacle has been financing a manufactured home that was moved after its original installation. Beginning September 9, updated Freddie Mac guidance may create a financing path for some of these properties. Under the updated requirements, an eligible manufactured home moved from another site must be inspected by a licensed professional engineer or another appropriate authority to verify its structural integrity. The home also cannot be placed in an area with more restrictive wind, roof-load, or thermal-zone requirements than the zone for which it was constructed. That is a meaningful change—but it is not blanket approval for every relocated home. Buyers and Realtors must still consider: HUD certification labels and construction records The home’s movement and installation history Foundation requirements Real-property classifi...
Post a Comment
Location: Tulsa, OK, USA
Read more