How Lenders Actually Count Overtime, Bonus, and Side-Gig Income

A friend of mine, Jason (this is actually his real name, but I think there are too many to know for sure who he is), spent weeks fighting with his lender over money he had actually earned. He works overtime. A lot of it. But the lender he picked did not really understand how his income worked, so Ja

Can I Buy a Rental Property While Still Paying Off My Own Mortgage?

A friend of mine, I will call him Tom (and yes, you better believe that's not his real name), was about to move into a new home and had a decision to make about the house he was leaving. He could sell it, or he could keep it and rent it out. On paper it looked like easy money. He had built up equity

How to Buy and Sell a House at the Same Time (Without Getting Stuck)

A while back I worked with a couple, John and Jane Smith, who were ready to move up. (And I'd be really impressed if you know the movie reference used to protect my client's names.) Good income, plenty of equity, and a house that would sell fast. We found three homes they loved. They missed on the f

Should I Refinance My Mortgage? How to Know If It Actually Makes Sense

A friend named Lenny (and yes, his name has been changed to protect the innocent) refinanced his mortgage to lower his monthly payment. On paper it looked like a clear win. Lower rate, lower payment, why not. What his mortgage rep never explained was that the closing costs were getting rolled into t