Home1st Mortgage - Thad Starch, NMLS #1781615

Home1st Mortgage - Thad Starch, NMLS #1781615 Thad Starch, Loan Consultant, NMLS #1781615
Based in Rochester, MN
Serving all of Minnesota and Iowa
NEXA NMLS #1660690

NEXA Mortgage LLC is an Equal Housing Lender

06/13/2026

A loan estimate can look straightforward, but it can still be misleading when you’re shopping for a home. If you’re working with a solid loan officer, you’ll usually get one at pre-approval to help you understand your estimated cash to close and monthly payment.

That estimate also breaks down the itemized fees you should expect to pay. There are regulations around what has to be disclosed, but some people know how to walk right around the rules, so it’s worth knowing what to watch for as you review it.

06/11/2026

A lot of people find the perfect house online and then freeze because they do not know what to do next. Most of my clients start right there, feeling unsure about the process and whether they can afford it.

The questions usually come down to payments and how much you would need to bring to the closing table. I have been there myself, and I am here to help you connect the dots, even if your income is tight and saving is hard, like the teacher I spoke with back in June 2025.

06/03/2026

If you’ve saved an extra $5,000 but still don’t feel comfortable, it helps to look at what home prices have done in the same time. In the example here, a home you could have bought two years ago is now listed at $214,000, which is $14,000 more even after you’ve saved that extra cash.

The good news is you may already have enough for a 3% down payment and a little left for closing costs, so down payment assistance might not be necessary. Depending on your qualifications, it could make more sense to ask the sellers for help with costs, or it could make more sense to use a down payment assistance program instead. An expert can walk you through which option protects your payment and your cash the best.

06/02/2026

Your credit score affects more than whether you get approved for a mortgage. It can influence the interest rate you qualify for, and it can even play a role in what you pay for homeowner’s insurance. If you’re using conventional financing, your score can also impact your mortgage insurance rate.

Depending on the loan program, your score can affect how much you’re allowed to put down, and lower scores around the 580 range may require a higher down payment and possibly reserves. Even if you’ve had a bankruptcy within the last two years, buying a home can still be possible, but it may come at a higher cost. That’s why I like to review credit reports with clients, so we can spot issues early and work toward a solution.

05/26/2026

Waiting to buy can cost more than you think, especially if prices move while you are saving. In the example in this video, a $200,000 purchase could require a minimum down payment of about 3%, which is $6,000.

If you have solid credit, down payment assistance programs may help cover the funds you need and possibly add help toward closing costs. You can also ask your real estate agent about negotiating seller concessions, and in this example that combination could keep your out-of-pocket around $5,000.

05/23/2026

Before you pick a price point, start with one simple question: what monthly payment are you actually comfortable with. What you can qualify for on paper and what feels manageable month to month can be two very different numbers. Getting clear on that helps narrow the price range and gives a better sense of the property tax range that may come with it.

Then we look at affordability on paper by establishing a qualifying income calculation. That means reviewing items like W-2s, pay stubs, and sometimes tax returns to confirm how your income can be counted. If your pay includes things like tips, overtime, or shift differential, we may also need a written verification of employment to get it right.

05/21/2026

Your credit score affects your mortgage payment more than most people realize. It helps determine the interest rate you get, and it can also play a role in your homeowners insurance premium.

If you are using conventional financing, your credit score can impact your mortgage insurance rate too. That is why it helps to look at your score before you start house hunting, because the numbers can change a lot, like a 675 score on a $300,000 home with 3% down at 7% interest coming out to about $1,934 per month for principal and interest only.

05/19/2026

If you’re getting a tax refund, it’s worth slowing down before turning it into a big entertainment purchase. A $2,400 TV and gaming setup disappears fast, but that same money could help move you closer to owning a home.

In this video, the loan officer talks about down payment assistance options, including Minnesota Housing’s StartUp Deferred Payment Plus. With solid credit history, that program can provide up to $18,000 toward down payment and potentially some closing costs, which can change your timing and monthly payment picture in a meaningful way.

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05/18/2026

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05/16/2026

Many first-time buyers are closer to purchasing than they think. On paper, someone earning about $50,000 per year could afford a total monthly housing payment around $1,790, and that estimate includes taxes and insurance.

That number can change once we factor in other liabilities like student loans, auto loans, or credit card balances, because your debt-to-income ratio matters. Using a 43% DTI example, a $100,000 salary could support a payment a little over $3,500, and some programs allow higher ratios while others are capped at 43%.

Address

3100 W Ray Road Ste 201
Chandler, AZ
85226

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm
Sunday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+15073818176

Website

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