Rosa Briggs Sr Mortgage Advisor NMLS 117032

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Rosa Briggs Sr Mortgage Advisor NMLS 117032

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NMLS 117032, Sr. Loan Officer. Equal Housing Opportunity. Company NMLS 3029. For licensing information go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

10/06/2026

Should you pay for a lower rate? 🥜

Let’s break it down with a little pistachio math.

“Points” are an upfront cost you pay in exchange for a lower interest rate. You start with more pistachios in that cup, but pay less in interest each month.

With a no-points option, you skip that upfront cost. Your rate is higher, though, so you’re adding more pistachios to the cup each month.

Eventually, the savings from the lower rate can catch up to what you paid upfront. That’s your break-even point. Keep the loan beyond that point, and those savings continue to grow.

So the conversation goes beyond the rate: How long do you expect to keep the loan? Could you sell or refinance before breaking even? Would keeping that cash available serve you better?

Points are a tool. I have this conversation with every client because understanding your options is how we find the right fit for your plans.

06/30/2026

The right home isn’t always move-in ready. But finding a house that needs some love doesn't mean you have to pass on it.

A rehab loan rolls the price of the home and the renovation costs into one single mortgage, saving you from draining your savings or juggling multiple loans. It’s incredibly versatile, working whether you want to buy a fixer-upper, refresh an outdated home, or renovate a place you already own. You can even put as little as 3.5% down using an FHA 203(k) loan.

The process is simple: you get a rehab pre-approval, find the property, and get a licensed contractor's estimate before making your offer. Once you close, the funds release in stages as the work gets done. 🏡 I

f you want to talk through what a rehab strategy could look like for you, my DMs are open.

Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply.

06/02/2026

"What can I actually afford?" is one of the most common questions I get from people thinking about buying a home in Seattle.

The answer depends on more than your paycheck. Your debt, your savings, your credit, and the way your loan is structured all shape the final number. In this scenario, that lands somewhere around $700k in today's market, which puts townhomes and single family homes on the table. 🏡

Your buying power is more movable than it may seem. Paying down a credit card, waiting a few months, or rethinking the loan structure can each shift it meaningfully. Which is why I'd rather meet a buyer six months out than two weeks before an offer. There's just more we can do together with a little runway. ✈️

Online tools give you a number. A real conversation gives you a path.

If you're thinking about buying in the Seattle area, my DMs are open.

05/17/2026

Your pre-approval letter may show a home price, but it's really built on the monthly payment. 🥜

Lenders start with your income before taxes. Some loan programs use half of that income to set the max mortgage payment allowed. However, minimum debt payments lower that number. Car payments, credit cards, student loans, or other loans.

This is still a rough estimate. The opportunity for creativity happens in a few places, including how that monthly income is calculated. If one lender says you qualify for a $3,000 payment, that might not be the only option. Another lender may see your approval differently.

Here’s the part I care about most:

What you can qualify for and what you can comfortably pay each month aren't always the same number. A good pre-approval, especially for a first-time homebuyer, should help you understand your options.

That’s why I look at the full picture with my clients: budget, goals, pre-approval, and the payment that actually makes sense.

Pistachio math makes the mortgage math simple. Real life makes it personal.

Compared to your income, was the pre-approval estimate higher or lower than you expected? 👇

05/06/2026

Power duo energy has entered the chat.

Faster answers.
Cleaner strategy.
More confidence.

When your agent and lender are actually working as a team, the whole homebuying process feels better. Sunglasses optional. 😎 Strong offer strategy included.

Get started on your home-buying journey with us at our next free homebuyers seminar. May 19th.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988843689012?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/04/2026

This Ballard condo comes with a 1% lender credit, and that credit opens up a lot of possibilities.

It could help with upfront cash.
It could help buy the rate down for a lower monthly payment.
It could create a softer first year of payments with a temporary buydown.
(and those aren't the only credit usage strategies)

The right option depends on your comfort level, available cash, monthly budget, and how long this place will be home.

Listed at $490,000 in Seattle with a 1% lender credit provided by my team. Message me or Morgan Reick for the condo details.

Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. See additional payment details and APR here: https:\/\/mcedge.tv\/8p1f4d

04/27/2026

If you're starting a home search in Snohomish County, chances are you had a city in mind before you had a budget. The picture of the life shows up first. The numbers come after.

On a $115K income, that picture can shift depending on where you draw the circle.
In the low $600s right now, that might look like a three-bed rambler in Lake Stevens. In Marysville, that same range could mean more square footage, an extra bath, or a similar home for a bit less. About fifteen minutes between them.

I'm never going to tell someone location doesn't matter. Schools, commute, community. Those shape a life, and they're worth weighing carefully.

But especially for first-time buyers, it's worth asking whether your first home needs to be your forever home. Sometimes the smarter move is a starting point that gives you flexibility later. Equity tends to reward patience.

The right fit might be a few minutes up the road from where you first started looking.

If you're weighing Lake Stevens, Marysville, or anywhere in between, send me a note. We'll talk through your options together.

03/27/2026

Everyone wants the “better” loan.
This is one of those decisions where there isn't an obvious choice.

Conventional vs FHA. It’s not about which is best. It’s about what fits your situation.

Lower upfront cash vs lower monthly payment
Mortgage insurance that can drop off vs cheaper mortgage insurance, but it sticks around
Easier qualification vs more future flexibility

I put both side by side on the whiteboard, so you can see exactly where they overlap and where they don’t. For first-time buyers deciding between FHA and Conventional, this is the comparison you want to see early.

📌Save this if you’re planning to buy and want to compare your options.

This is designed as an example only. Not an offer or guarantee to lend. See additional details and APR for this example here: https://mcedge.tv/op241n

03/13/2026

We put some homebuying scenarios and advice to the test. 👍 or 👎

Some are great strategies.
Some depend on the situation.
Some… not so much.

If you want to understand the full homebuying process and the strategy behind it, join us at our upcoming homebuyer class on March 19th.

We’ll walk through financing, the buying process, and how to approach it wisely.

Save your spot - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-buyer-class-tickets-1983822808423?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

03/07/2026

A lower payment in year one sounds great.
But the goal isn't to start low. The goal is to start smart.

A temporary buydown uses seller credit to reduce your payment in the early years of your loan. The credit fills in the gap so the full payment is still being made, just not all by you at first.

Temp buydowns are not about a "deal." They're about direction.
In the right scenario, they create breathing room. In the wrong scenario, they create pressure later.

That's why I tend to favor a 1/1 over a 2/1. Two years of breathing room without setting payment expectations too low from the start.

If you're buying this year and negotiating seller credits, let's make sure they're working for you, not just lowering a headline payment.

Pistachios optional. 🫡

Address

19015 North Creek Parkway, Suite 105
Bothell, WA
98011

Website

http://rosabriggs.com/

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