Shawn Garner - Encompass Lending Group

09/01/2026

foreclosed home with an attractive price tag can be awfully tempting, especially if you’re looking for a deal.

But before you start mentally spending all the money you could save, it pays to know exactly what you could be getting into.

If you’ve ever considered buying a foreclosure, this is a good primer on what to look for before deciding whether the potential bargain is worth pursuing.

While the opportunities to make money on foreclosed properties may be enticing, it’s crucial to know the risks and challenges before jumping in. Take a look. Someone’s loss, another’s gain. Foreclosures occur when owners can no longer make payments on their homes or can’t sell them to pay of...

08/31/2026

It’s your house. It’s your property. So you can do whatever you want with it...right?

Well, not always.

Owning a home comes with certain property rights, but it can also come with restrictions, legal claims and rights that belong to others. Understanding some of the terminology you may encounter can help you know exactly what you own and what that ownership allows.

Here are a few terms worth knowing now that you have a place to call your own.

When you buy a home you may expect that you have complete freedom to do what you want with the property, that’s likely not the case. You will probably discover an encumbrance, or limitation, legally imposed upon you regarding its use. In other words, an encumbrance is any claim or interest held by...

08/30/2026

Owning a home comes with plenty of things you learn along the way, and electrical safety is one of the important ones.

You probably don’t give much thought to your outlets, power strips or circuit breakers when everything is working as it should. But knowing what to watch for and which everyday habits could create a safety risk is part of taking good care of your home.

These electrical safety reminders are worth a few minutes of your time.

Electricity powers much of our modern lives but is a potentially dangerous resource that must be used properly to avoid danger.

08/29/2026

There are always lots of questions when you’re buying or refinancing a home. And when you have one, it’s nice to know there’s an actual person on the other end who knows your name, understands your loan and is ready to help.

No bots. No automated runaround. Just real people helping real people with home financing.

Thinking about buying or refinancing? Contact me. Bring your questions. That’s what I’m here for.

Consumer Access: NMLSConsumerAccess.org

08/28/2026

One of the joys of having a home of your own? You also get to own every speck of dust that settles in it. 😄

If it feels like you just finished dusting and there’s already a brand-new layer waiting for you, you’re definitely not alone. A few simple habits can help keep dust and pollen under control and make keeping your home clean a little easier.

Here are some tips worth adding to your homeowner routine.

How can you enjoy warm weather without dust and pollen taking over your home? Here’s what you need to know.

08/27/2026

When you’re figuring out how much home you can afford, the price of the house is only part of the equation.

One expense that’s easy to underestimate is homeowners' insurance and waiting until you’re well into the buying process to think about it can lead to an unwelcome surprise.

Before you fall in love with a home, it’s worth knowing how insurance could affect your overall monthly payment.

It’s important to research the cost of homeowners insurance early in the buying process to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

08/26/2026

Some encouraging news for first-time homebuyers: new housing market data shows that conditions may finally be starting to shift in their favor.

After a long stretch of high prices, limited inventory and tough competition, that’s certainly a headline worth paying attention to.

If buying your first home is on your radar, take a look at what’s changing. And if it leaves you wondering what those changes could mean for you, I’m always happy to help you explore your financing options: https://bit.ly/4c9jSM6 https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/the-housing-market-is-finally-giving-first-time-buyers-a-break-120000793.html?id=9fb3

08/22/2026

🏡 Thinking a new address might be in your future?

From figuring out what you can comfortably afford to understanding your loan options and navigating the financing process, I'm here to help make the path to homeownership a little easier to understand.

And whether you're ready to buy now or simply wondering what your options look like, you don't have to figure it all out on your own.

📲 Have a mortgage question? I'm always happy to help.

Consumer Access: NMLSConsumerAccess.org

08/21/2026

🛋️ The boxes are unpacked... now what are you going to do with all those empty rooms?

Buying furniture is one of the fun parts of making your new home yours. Once you've CLOSED on your new home (I'll thank you for waiting! 😂), it's time to start shopping.

Before you buy, measure your rooms AND your doorways and stairwells. That perfect sofa isn't so perfect if you can't get it through the front door!

🏡 Ready to make your new house feel like home? These tips can help.

After purchasing a new home, most new owners rush to buy new furniture to fill empty rooms. Here are 7 helpful tips for buying furniture for your new home.

08/20/2026

🏠 Some of you have chosen to turn your homes into rental properties as your needs and plans have changed.

If becoming a landlord is on your radar, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to manage the property yourself or hire a professional.

There are pros and cons to both, and the right choice really comes down to what works for you.

🔑 This guide can help you weigh your options.

Owners of rental properties face a decision whether to manage their rentals themselves or to hire a professional property management company.