Trey Schwieterman - Mortgage Loan Consultant

04/29/2026

💡 How to Raise Your Credit Score Before Buying a Home

Want to increase your buying power before you start house hunting?

Your credit score plays a big role — and the good news is, there are ways to improve it.

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📈 Here are 3 ways to boost your score:

✔ Pay down credit card balances
(Keep usage below 30% — ideally under 10%)

✔ Make every payment on time
Payment history is the #1 factor in your score

✔ Avoid opening new accounts
New credit can temporarily lower your score

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⚠️ What NOT to do:

❌ Don’t close old accounts
❌ Don’t move large amounts of money without documentation
❌ Don’t guess — strategy matters

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💡 What most people don’t realize:

Not all credit improvements are equal — some changes help more than others depending on your situation.

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🚀 Bonus:
I can run a what-if scenario with a soft credit pull to show you:
✔ How to improve your score
✔ How much it could increase
✔ How it impacts your buying power

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📩 Message me if you want a personalized plan — no pressure, just clarity.

04/17/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Trey Schwieterman by Tommy R L - Trey worked to solve any and all problems that arose. He even came to our closing to meet us in person.

Click to see all 1 reviews of Trey Schwieterman, Loan Consultant

04/15/2026

💡 Biggest Credit Mistakes Homebuyers Make

If you’re thinking about buying a home, your credit matters more than you think…

But it’s not just your score — it’s also your behavior leading up to buying.

🚫 Here are the most common mistakes I see:

❌ Opening new credit cards before applying
❌ Missing or late payments
❌ Maxing out credit cards
❌ Making large, undocumented deposits
❌ Closing old accounts (this can actually hurt your score)

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💡 What you SHOULD do instead:

✔ Keep balances low
✔ Make all payments on time
✔ Avoid major financial changes
✔ Talk to a Loan Officer before making moves

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Pro Tip:
Sometimes small changes can boost your score quickly — but only if you know what to adjust.

I can help you create a custom game plan to get you in the best position possible.

Message me if you want to see where you stand (I can even use a soft credit pull — no impact to your score).

04/08/2026

💡 How Much House Can You Actually Afford?

This is one of the biggest questions homebuyers have — and the answer isn’t always what Zillow says…

👉 It’s not just about the price of the home — it’s about your monthly payment.

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Here’s what actually determines your buying power:

✔ Income – How much you earn (and how it’s structured)
✔ Debt – Car loans, credit cards, student loans, etc.
✔ Credit Score – Impacts your interest rate and payment
✔ Down Payment – Affects loan size and monthly cost
✔ Interest Rates – Help determine your monthly payment and overall affordability

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What most buyers don’t realize:

Two people looking at the same home price can have very different monthly payments depending on their financial profile.

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Quick Example:

A $250,000 home could have a very different payment depending on:
• Credit score
• Down payment
• Loan program

That’s why online calculators are often misleading

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The Smart Way to Start

Before house hunting, it’s best to get a real pre-approval so you know:

✔ Your true budget
✔ Your estimated monthly payment
✔ What loan options fit your situation

I can even run this with a soft credit pull, so it won’t impact your credit score.

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Bottom Line:
Don’t guess your budget — know your numbers and shop with confidence.

If you’re curious what you can comfortably afford, message me and I’ll break it down for you.

04/01/2026

What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home?

This is one of the most common questions I get — and the answer might surprise you… (even if you’ve had a bankruptcy)

👉 You don’t need perfect credit to buy a home.

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Here’s a general breakdown:

✔ 500–579 Credit Score
At New American Funding, you may qualify for FHA or VA loan options (additional conditions will apply)

✔ 580+ Credit Score
You may qualify for an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down

✔ 620+ Credit Score
This is typically the minimum for Conventional loans

✔ 580+ Credit Score
At New American Funding, Conventional loan options may be available below the standard minimum (with certain conditions)

✔ 700+ Credit Score
You’ll usually qualify for better interest rates and lower monthly payments

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But here’s what most people don’t realize:

Your credit score is just ONE piece of the puzzle.

Lenders also look at:
• Your income
• Your debt-to-income ratio
• Your employment history
• Your overall financial profile

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Good News:
Even if your credit isn’t where you want it to be yet — or you’ve had past financial challenges like a bankruptcy — that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a home.

In many cases, I can:
✔ Help you understand where you stand
✔ Put together a game plan to improve your score
✔ Or even get you approved sooner than you expected

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Bonus:
I can run your numbers with a soft credit pull, so you can see your options without impacting your credit score.

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Bottom Line:
Don’t count yourself out based on your credit — you may be closer than you think.

If you’re curious where you stand, message me and I’ll walk you through your options.

03/25/2026

💡 Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification — What’s the Difference?

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard both of these terms…

But they are NOT the same — and knowing the difference can make or break your homebuying experience.

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Pre-Qualification (Quick Estimate)
This is usually a basic review of your finances.

✔ Based on self-reported information
✔ No deep verification
✔ Fast, but less reliable

-> Think of this as a rough idea of what you might qualify for.

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Pre-Approval (The Real Deal)
This is a much more in-depth review of your financial profile.

✔ Income, credit, and assets are verified
✔ Your file is reviewed more thoroughly
✔ You receive a stronger, more accurate approval

-> This shows sellers and Realtors that you’re a serious, qualified buyer.

Bonus:
I can provide a pre-approval with a soft credit pull, which means it will NOT impact your credit score — a great option if you’re just starting to explore your options.

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Why This Matters in Today’s Market

In a competitive market, having a solid pre-approval can:

✔ Strengthen your offer
✔ Help you compete against other buyers
✔ Reduce surprises during the loan process

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Bottom Line

Pre-Qualification = Starting point
Pre-Approval = Game plan to win

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If you’re thinking about buying and want to know where you stand, I can help you get fully pre-approved (without impacting your credit) and ready to shop with confidence.

📩 Message me anytime — happy to help!

03/18/2026

What Does a Loan Officer Actually Do? (And How Is That Different From a Realtor? And Who Should You Talk to First?)

Great question — and one most people don’t fully understand until they’re buying a home.

As a Licensed Loan Consultant with New American Funding, my job is to guide you through the entire mortgage process from start to finish.

Here’s what that really means for you:

1. I Help You Get Pre-Approved
We review your income, credit, and finances to determine what you can realistically afford — before you start house hunting.

2. I Find the Right Loan Option
Not all loans are the same. I match you with the best program based on your situation — especially if you have unique financial circumstances.

3. I Structure Your Loan
I help build your file in a way that gives you the strongest chance of approval and a smooth closing.

4. I Work With Your Realtor
I stay in close communication with your agent to make sure your offer is competitive and your deal stays on track.

5. I Guide You Through Underwriting & Closing
From document requests to final approval, I help you understand each step so there are no surprises.

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Loan Officer vs. Realtor — What’s the Difference?

• Loan Officer (Me): Handles the financing side
→ Pre-approval, loan options, approval, and closing your mortgage

• Realtor: Handles the home search & negotiation side
→ Finding homes, scheduling showings, writing offers, negotiating terms

Simple way to think about it:
The Realtor helps you find the home… I help you buy it.

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So… who should you talk to first?

Ideally you should start with a Loan Officer

Here’s why:

✔ You’ll know exactly what you can afford
✔ You’ll avoid falling in love with homes outside your budget
✔ Your offer will be taken more seriously by sellers
✔ Your Realtor can help you shop with confidence from day one

Then, once you’re pre-approved, your Realtor can help you find the perfect home and negotiate the best deal.

But you should speak to someone you TRUST first, buying a home is a big (and often scary) decision and you should feel 100% comfortable during the process.
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Bottom line:
The best homebuying experience happens when your Loan Officer and Realtor work together from the start.

If you’re thinking about buying a home and want to take the first step, message me — I’m happy to help you get started.

03/12/2026

🏡 Welcome to My Page!

Hi everyone — I’m Trey, a Licensed Loan Consultant with New American Funding, and I’ve been helping people navigate the mortgage process for the past 6 years.

My specialty is working with borrowers who have unique financial situations — whether that’s self-employment, credit challenges, or just needing guidance through the loan process. My goal is to make home financing clear, simple, and achievable.

📚 What you can expect here:
Each week I’ll be posting educational content to help:
• Homebuyers better understand the mortgage process
• Real estate agents stay informed on lending updates
• Anyone interested in buying or refinancing feel more confident in their decisions

Topics will include things like:
✔ Understanding credit and mortgage approvals
✔ Loan program options
✔ Appraisals and underwriting explained
✔ Tips to win in a competitive market
✔ Common mistakes to avoid when buying a home

I proudly serve clients in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

If you ever have questions about the home loan process, feel free to message me directly — I’m always happy to help.

Thanks for being here!