7 Locks Lending - Mortgages and Refinancing

10/15/2026

Thinking about buying a home, making a move, or purchasing an investment property? Understanding your financing options can help you make more confident decisions.

I’m hosting five educational webinars through 7 Locks Lending, covering common questions and strategies I discuss with clients every day.

We’ll keep it practical and easy to follow, with time for questions. Join me for one session or several—whatever fits your plans!

All sessions are Tuesdays, 6:30–7:15 p.m. Eastern

Register: https://www.7lockslending.com/mortgage-webinars

Know someone who’s considering a purchase or move? Please share this with them!

10/08/2026

9h

🏡 Heading out to the Raleigh-Wake County HBA Parade of Homes?

Fall weather, new homes, new communities—it’s a great time to get out and see what’s being built around the Triangle.

And you’re likely to see some pretty attractive builder incentives along the way.

$10,000…$15,000…$20,000 toward closing costs. Special financing. Below-market interest rates.

These incentives can provide real value, but the important part is understanding the complete offer and how the available dollars are being used.

A few things to consider:
• Is the incentive tied to using the builder’s preferred or affiliated lender?
• Is the builder offering a special subsidized rate? Builders may offer below-market rates on certain homes or use incentive dollars to help buy down the rate. These can be very attractive offers, but it’s important to understand what it costs to obtain that rate.
• Is the low rate costing discount points? A rate well below the current market may require a significant upfront cost. That may still make sense—it just needs to be part of the comparison.
• How is the incentive being used? Some may be applied toward discount points, while other funds may help with closing costs. Understanding the allocation can help you determine what provides the most value for your situation.
• Do you have options? Depending on the builder and loan program, there may be different ways to use the available funds. A temporary buydown may also be worth considering, particularly if reducing your payment during the first year or two is important to you.
• How long do you expect to keep the mortgage? If a significant amount is being used for discount points, the break-even period matters.

In many cases, the builder’s financing offer may be the best option. The key is understanding the numbers and comparing how the available incentive can work for you.

The biggest incentive or lowest advertised rate isn’t automatically the best deal—the goal is to determine which combination provides the most value for your particular situation.

Enjoy the Parade of Homes—and the fall weather! 🍂🏡

Want to understand builder incentives in a little more detail? I took a deeper dive here:

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

09/30/2026

Another great RRAR Sustainability Summit in the books! Each year continues to build on the last, with important conversations about sustainability, housing, and how we thoughtfully manage growth across our region.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Summit a success!

09/10/2026

The MBS Highway National Housing Index continued its downward trend in September, falling from 27 in August to 22. The index has now declined for four consecutive months after reaching a seasonal high of 47 in May. Both buyer activity and home price direction weakened from the previous month.

09/04/2026

Happy Labor Day to all! Thanks for everyone's hard work and those that have helped me in life!

08/29/2026

Every industry has its jargon. Mortgages may have more than their fair share.
Temporary buydowns are one example—but they don't have to be that complicated.

Here’s a straightforward look at what they are, how they affect your payment, who pays for them, and when they might make sense.

What is a Temporary Buydown?

08/12/2026

This is a national housing survey of mortgage professionals that seems to indicate slower buyer activity and more sellers willing to negotiate. As always, remember that markets are local. If you have been thinking about buying but have been on the fence, this could mean opportunity, but your timing may play a role as others may be having similar thoughts. My article "Did You Miss The Boat" offers a perspective on this. www.7lockslending.com/blog/did-you-miss-the-boat

Would love to hear other thoughts on this topic - please share your comments.

08/06/2026

It is important to understand the different levels of mortgage pre-approvals as both a buyer and a seller. Here is a good overview.

07/28/2026

www.7lockslending.com/blog/why-is-this-home-in-a-flood-zone-theres-no-water-anywhere-nearby

Flood Zones Aren't Just About Visible Water Many people assume that if they can't see a body of water, flood insurance shouldn't be an issue. In reality, FEMA flood maps are created using detailed engineering studies that evaluate much more than nearby rivers. They consider factors such as: Ele

07/04/2026