Stacy Howard Homes

☀️ Summer is traditionally one of the busiest home buying seasons of the year—and for good reason.

Many buyers have more flexibility with schedules, families often prefer to move before a new school year, and inventory tends to be higher than during other times of the year.

That doesn’t mean it’s the right time for everyone, but if you’ve been thinking about buying, now may be a great time to start exploring your options, reviewing your finances, and getting pre-approved so you’re ready when the right home comes along.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving up, downsizing, or relocating, having a game plan can make the process much smoother.

Have questions about the current market or what you may qualify for? I’m always happy to help. 🏡

Stacy Howard
REALTOR® | Mortgage Advisor

TREC #804524 | NMLS #1741066

For educational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend. Loan approval is subject to credit, income, asset, and property approval.

Big changes could be coming to the mortgage industry 👀🏡

New credit scoring updates may allow on-time rent payments to help qualify more Americans for homeownership. That means millions of renters who consistently pay on time could finally see that responsibility reflected in their credit profile.

This could especially help:
✔️ First-time homebuyers
✔️ Freelancers & self-employed borrowers
✔️ Gig workers
✔️ Buyers with limited credit history

The market is constantly changing, and staying educated is one of the best ways to prepare for future opportunities. Whether you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, investing, or just trying to understand your options better, I’m always happy to help. 🤍

Stacy Howard
REALTOR® | Mortgage Advisor

📞 512-785-9464

TREC #804524 | NMLS #1741066

For educational purposes only. Not a commitment to lend.

Think the Fed directly sets mortgage rates? 👀
Not exactly.

Mortgage rates are influenced more by:
• The bond market
• Inflation
• Economic data
• Investor confidence

That’s why rates can sometimes rise even when the Fed cuts rates.

Understanding the market helps buyers make smarter decisions — especially in today’s environment.

Questions about buying, refinancing, or today’s rates? I’m always happy to help 🤍

Stacy Howard
REALTOR® | Mortgage Advisor

Real estate word of the day: Contingency 🏡

A contingency is a condition that must be met before a real estate contract can fully move forward. It helps protect buyers (and sometimes sellers) during the transaction process.

Some common examples include:
• Financing contingency
• Inspection contingency
• Appraisal contingency
• Sale of current home contingency

These protections give buyers an “out” if certain terms aren’t met — helping reduce risk and avoid costly surprises during the home buying process.

Questions about real estate terms or the mortgage process? I’m always happy to help simplify it 🤍

Stacy Howard
REALTOR® | Mortgage Advisor

Why is the credit score I pull different from the one you see?

This is one of the most common questions I get — and it’s completely normal to see a difference.

When you check your credit through apps like Credit Karma, Experian, or your bank, you’re typically seeing a consumer credit score. These scores are designed for general educational purposes and may use different scoring models.

When I pull your credit for a mortgage, lenders use mortgage-specific credit scores that are designed specifically for home lending. These models look at your credit history differently because mortgage loans are long-term, higher-risk financing.

A few key reasons scores may differ:
• Different scoring models are used
• Mortgage lenders pull all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
• Lenders typically use the middle score for qualification
• Mortgage scoring is often more conservative

This is why your score may be higher or lower than what you see on your own.

The good news?
Even if your score isn’t where you want it to be, there are often simple steps we can take to improve it before applying.

If you’re curious where you stand, I’m always happy to take a look and help you build a plan.

Stacy Howard
REALTOR® | Mortgage Advisor
📞 512-785-9464

TREC #804524 | NMLS #1741066
Information for educational purposes only. Loan approval subject to guidelines.

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