Home Buyer Tips Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Chris Jordan Mortgage Team

Budgeting for a mortgage payment

Last updated: August 27, 2026 CJMT

Buying a home involves more than determining how much a lender may approve you to borrow. It is equally important to determine what monthly mortgage payment comfortably fits your household budget. A mortgage payment that works on paper should also leave room for your other…

Buying a new home before selling your current home

Education Home Buyer Strategy Home Buyer Tips Mortgage Planning

How to Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Current Home

Last updated: August 31, 2026 CJMT

If you already own a home and want to purchase your next one before your current property sells, a home sale contingency can make your offer less competitive. Sellers often prefer offers that are not dependent on another property closing first. The good news is…

Washington DC row houses representing homeownership

D.C. Tax Abatement Down Payment Assistance Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage Planning

DC Tax Abatement Program: Save on Property, Recordation & Transfer Taxes

Last updated: September 3, 2026 CJMT

Washington DC offers a valuable tax benefit that can significantly reduce both the upfront and ongoing costs of homeownership for eligible buyers. The Lower Income Home Ownership Tax Abatement, sometimes simply referred to as the DC Tax Abatement Program, can provide qualifying homeowners with an…

Education FHA Mortgage Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 VA Mortgage

Is this condo FHA / VA approved?

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

If you are buying a condominium with FHA financing or a VA loan, the condo project itself may also need to meet FHA or VA requirements. The good news is that finding out whether a condo may qualify is usually something we can help determine…

Real estate investment property financing

Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning NON-QM

Can You Buy a Home or Transfer a Mortgaged Property Into an LLC?

Last updated: September 3, 2026 CJMT

Real estate investors and homeowners sometimes ask whether they can purchase a property in the name of a limited liability company (LLC), refinance a property already owned by an LLC, or transfer a property into an LLC after obtaining a mortgage. The answer depends heavily…

Couple reviewing finances before buying a home

Credit Tips Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

Avoid Mortgage Sabotage: What NOT to Do Before Buying a Home

Last updated: September 1, 2026 CJMT

Some of the biggest mortgage problems happen before a homebuyer ever applies for a loan. A change that seems perfectly reasonable at the time—buying a new car, changing jobs, becoming self-employed or moving money between accounts—can sometimes make it harder to qualify for a mortgage.…

Home appraiser evaluating a residential property

Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

How Do Home Appraisers Determine a Property’s Value?

Last updated: September 3, 2026 CJMT

One of the most common questions homebuyers and homeowners ask is: How does an appraiser actually determine what a home is worth? An appraisal is much more than simply looking at a few recent home sales and averaging the prices. The appraiser analyzes the property…

Homebuyers discussing a competitive home offer with a real estate professional

Education Home Buyer Strategy Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101 Purchase

How a Strong Mortgage Pre-Approval Can Help Your Offer Stand Out

Last updated: September 12, 2026 CJMT

A strong mortgage pre-approval can do more than show a seller that you may qualify for financing. In a competitive home purchase, the lender standing behind that pre-approval can also influence how confident a listing agent and seller feel about your offer. That is why…

Homebuyers reviewing finances and mortgage credit

Credit Tips Education Home Buyer Tips Mortgage 101

Mortgage Credit Do’s and Don’ts for Homebuyers

Last updated: September 1, 2026 CJMT

Your credit profile can have a significant impact on your ability to qualify for a mortgage, as well as the interest rate and loan options available to you. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to protect and potentially improve…

Education Home Buyer Tips Loan Origination Mortgage 101 Mortgage Planning

WHICH MORTGAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Last updated: September 1, 2026 CJMT

Homebuyers have more mortgage options than they sometimes realize. Choosing the right loan is not simply about finding the lowest advertised interest rate. The best mortgage depends on your credit, down payment, income, property, loan amount, future plans and overall financial goals. During the pre-approval…

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