Rosa Briggs Sr Mortgage Advisor NMLS 117032

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

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

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

03/05/2026

We changed one thing in this buyer's scenario. See what happened 👀

Same income. Same debts. Change the down payment and the entire home search can shift.

That one shift could mean:
✔ A different school district
✔ More square footage
✔ Fewer repairs on move-in day
✔ A neighborhood you thought was out of reach

This is why we run multiple scenarios. Not just to see what you qualify for, but to see what's actually possible.

Real homes. Real Numbers. Right here in Snohomish County. 🎯

When you work with me and my team, you get thoughtful strategy and the full picture so you can move forward with confidence.

If you're thinking about buying, let's build your strategy.

This is designed as an example only - not an offer or guarantee to lend. See more details on the scenario and APR here: https://mcedge.tv/m8rajj

02/25/2026

Buying your first home is exciting. It can also feel overwhelming.

That is exactly why we created this class. For those who:

✨ The ones who want knowledge before they make a move
✨ The ones who want a smart strategy, not guesswork
✨ The ones who are not sure where to start
✨ The ones who want to do this wisely the first time

We walk you through the real steps of the process, from preparation and loan qualification to making an offer and closing day, so you feel confident instead of confused.

If you are thinking about buying in Bothell, or the greater Washington area, and want real guidance from a local agent and a local lender who know the market, this class is for you.

You do not have to figure it out alone. When you work with Rosa, you have a real person in your corner who knows your story and helps you build a plan that fits your goals.

RSVP with the link in our bio! Or, comment “CLASS” and we'll send you the link.

02/24/2026

What does a 0.5% mortgage interest rate drop actually do? 🤔

On a $600,000 purchase, that half-percent difference means about $183 savings per month in principal and interest. That’s over $2,000 a year back in your pocket.

It might not sound dramatic at first, but small shifts in rate can meaningfully impact affordability and buying power.

A lot of buyers and sellers have been watching rates closely. As we’ve seen some improvement, many are stepping back into the market and re-running their numbers.

If you’re thinking about buying, this is a great time to check where you stand. Even if you’re just in the “watching and waiting” phase, knowing your options helps you move with confidence when the timing feels right.

I’m always here to walk through the numbers with you and help you understand what they mean for your goals.

This is designed as an example only - not an offer or guarantee to lend. See more details on the example options and APR here: https://mcedge.tv/keajgp

Address

19015 North Creek Parkway, Suite 105
Bothell, WA
98011

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