Pryce Strong

09/24/2026

📄 "Why does my lender need ALL these documents?"

It's one of the most common questions I get, and it's a fair one! Pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements, tax returns... it can feel like a lot. Here's the why behind it. 👇🏾

Every mortgage comes down to three things I call CIA: Credit, Income, and Assets.

💳 Credit: Shows how you've handled debt in the past.

💼 Income: Pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns confirm that your income is stable and likely to continue.

🏦 Assets: Bank statements show that you have funds for your down payment and closing costs, and where that money came from.

Lenders are required to verify all of this, not just take our word for it. That protects you too. It helps make sure your payment is truly affordable, not just approved.

Why ask up front?
✅ A stronger pre-approval, so sellers take your offer seriously
✅ Fewer surprises and last-minute requests before closing
✅ Issues get caught early, while there's still time to fix them
✅ A smoother, faster path to the closing table
Gathering documents early isn't about making things harder. It's about making your home buying journey easier. 🏡

Have questions about what you'll need? Send me a message. I'm always happy to walk you through it, no pressure.

Paula Armstrong | Pryce Strong
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator | IL • IN • LA
NMLS # #2713021

09/22/2026

🗣ILLINOIS | LOUISIANA | INDIANA

Down Payment Assistance: More Homebuyers Qualify Than You Think 🏠💰

Think you need perfect credit and 20% down to buy a home? Think again.

✅ Credit scores as low as 580 can qualify

✅ No first-time homebuyer requirement

✅ No income cap

✅ Down payment assistance up to 5% — some of it forgivable

✅ Gift funds & seller contributions allowed

✅ Manufactured homes welcome

There are more paths to homeownership than most people realize. Let's find out which one fits you. 📲

09/17/2026

Another 203k loan wrapped up!!! Lets go!!!

09/17/2026

🎉 TODAY IS THE DAY! 🎉

The Illinois Metro Realtist Launch Party is officially here — and we are beyond excited to be part of something this special.

This isn't just a launch. It's the beginning of a new chapter built on community, opportunity, and showing up for one another. 🏡✨

There is strength in numbers, and together, we are just getting started. 💫

09/16/2026

09/12/2026

🏡✨ Why NOW is actually a great time to buy!
Everyone's waiting for rates to hit rock bottom again... but here's the secret: many parts of the country have become buyer's markets as peak homebuying season winds down, giving buyers more negotiating power. 👀
That means:

✅ More homes to choose from — more houses are hitting the market

✅ Median home prices have been on a slight downward trend — sellers are more willing to work with you

✅ Less competition = more breathing room to negotiate

Waiting for "perfect" rates could mean missing today's negotiating power AND facing more competition when rates do drop. 💡

The smartest buyers aren't chasing the perfect rate — they're buying the right home at the right time, then refinancing later when rates improve. 📈

Ready to see what YOU qualify for? Let's talk. 💬

09/11/2026

TGIF!!! Closing day for 2 clients and another CTC!!! Lets Geau######x

09/11/2026

Big Changes to Condo Financing — What LA & IL Borrowers Should Know 🏢

If you're buying or refinancing a condo in Illinois or Louisiana, pay attention: the rules just tightened at the federal level, and neither state has its own safety net requiring HOAs to keep up.

📋 Full reviews are the new normal. As of August 3, 2026, Fannie Mae retired the streamlined "Limited Review" for most projects over 10 units. Every condo loan now gets a full look at the HOA's budget, insurance, reserves, and litigation history.

💰 Reserves must hit 15% by January 2027 (up from 10%). Here's the part that matters most for us: Louisiana has no state law requiring HOAs to fund reserves at all, and Illinois's own reserve-study bill (HB 2563) still hasn't passed — so in both states, this Fannie Mae rule is the only real financial backstop your HOA faces. Buildings that fall short can lose financing eligibility altogether.

🛡️ Some insurance rules loosened. The "inflation guard" requirement on master policies is gone, and buildings previously disqualified over roof-insurance language may now qualify again.

What this means for you: Before you fall in love with a condo in Chicagoland or anywhere in Louisiana, ask for the HOA's reserve fund percentage and most recent financials. A building that looks great on a walkthrough can still stall your closing if the association's books aren't in order — and there's no state law forcing them to be.

Buying or refinancing a condo? Let's check the building's eligibility before you write the offer.