Robert Chambers, Loan Officer at Benchmark Mortgage NMLS #2781504

09/08/2026

Rates are up. So should you automatically wait to buy?

Not necessarily. Waiting for a lower rate while home prices change could cost more than expected. The right decision depends on your complete financial picture: not one number.

Here’s the difference:

Rate: The cost of borrowing.
Payment: What fits your monthly budget.
Buying power: What your finances may support.
Purchase price: The home’s contract price.

You may hear, “marry the house, date the rate.” It can be a helpful way to think about flexibility, but it is NOT a promise. A future refinance may be possible, but eligibility, timing, terms, and savings are never guaranteed.

The smart move? Compare real scenarios with a qualified mortgage professional. Look at today’s payment, purchase price, cash needs, and long-term goals together.

What matters most to you right now: monthly payment, buying power, or finding the right home?

Robert Chambers | NMLS #2781504
Benchmark Mortgage / Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719-213-8310 | [email protected]

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit my website at ApplyWithRC.com.

09/04/2026

This Labor Day weekend, we remember what service means.

My time in uniform taught me that strong communities are built by people who show up: for their country, their families, and one another.

I’m honoring active-duty service members, Veterans, military families, and the workers, neighbors, and community leaders who keep Colorado moving forward.

Service may also connect to homeownership options. Veterans may have VA financing options, while other borrowers may have FHA, conventional, USDA, or assistance-program options. Eligibility, terms, and approval vary: but every homeownership conversation deserves clear, personal guidance.

What does home mean to you? What are you celebrating or building this weekend? Share below. I’d be honored to hear it.

Robert Chambers | NMLS #2781504
Benchmark Mortgage / Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
719-213-8310 | [email protected]
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit ApplyWithRC.com.

09/03/2026

Check out my latest blog post on LinkedIn!

Author: Robert Chambers Employer: Benchmark Mortgage: Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC. NMLS: #2781504 Published: September 3, 2026 Category: First-time home buying Mortgage pre-approval: basic record Definition: Conditional lender review of borrower finances Primary review areas: Income Employmen

09/03/2026

Pull up a chair, Veteran, let’s clear up a few VA loan myths that tend to make the rounds at the cookout.

Your service earned you options. You deserve facts, not hearsay.

✅ A VA loan may be used more than once when eligibility and remaining entitlement support it.

✅ A well-prepared VA loan can move efficiently. Timing varies by the scenario and the people involved.

✅ VA offers can be competitive. Strong terms, preparation, and clear communication matter.

✅ You do not need perfect credit. Credit requirements depend on the full application and applicable guidelines.

Have a VA loan question you’ve been wondering about? Drop it in the comments or DM me. I’ll help you sort through the facts and understand your options: whether you’re an active-duty service member, a Veteran, or a first-time homebuyer.

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit my website at ApplyWithRC.com.

Robert Chambers | 719-213-8310 | [email protected] | NMLS #2781504
Benchmark Mortgage / Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

09/02/2026

September is the new spring in Colorado Springs.

Why? After Labor Day, some buyers pause while serious buyers stay in the hunt. With potentially less competition, you may have more room to compare homes, think clearly, and choose a move that fits your long-term goals.

A useful planning reference point: the Colorado Springs median home price is around $479.5K. That is context: not a prediction. Your buying power and payment depend on your goals, credit, income, down payment, and the specific property.

This fall, keep your eyes on three numbers:

1. Inventory : Are you seeing more choices or more competition?
2. Days on market : How quickly are homes moving?
3. Median price : What are buyers paying over time?

Watch the TREND. Don’t rely on one number.

What are you watching in the Colorado Springs market this fall? Comment below or send me a DM. I’m happy to help you make sense of the numbers and build a clear path forward.

Benchmark Mortgage | Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
Robert Chambers | NMLS #2781504
719-213-8310 | [email protected]
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit my website at ApplyWithRC.com.

09/01/2026

A $750/month car payment could affect your mortgage qualification more than you think.

Under these illustrations, $750/month could represent roughly $108,000–$132,000 in mortgage borrowing capacity.

Using a 30-year fixed mortgage illustration, rates from 5.5%–7.5%, excluding property taxes and homeowners insurance, and assuming the borrower is otherwise qualified:

• 5.5%: approximately $132,000
• 6.0%: approximately $125,000
• 6.5%: approximately $119,000
• 7.0%: approximately $113,000
• 7.5%: approximately $108,000

At the 6.5% example, that’s approximately $119,000 in mortgage borrowing capacity.

But remember: BORROWING CAPACITY ≠ PURCHASE PRICE.

Your actual purchase-price impact depends on your loan type: Conventional, FHA, or VA: plus down payment, taxes, insurance, HOA costs, interest rate, and especially your debt-to-income ratio.

The same analysis can be tailored for a Veteran using VA financing, too.

Want a more precise estimate? Comment or DM me with your loan type, estimated rate, down payment, and approximate tax and insurance assumptions. I’ll help you understand the numbers: without promising a specific approval or borrowing amount.

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit ApplyWithRC.com.

Robert Chambers | NMLS #2781504
Benchmark Mortgage / Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
719-213-8310 | [email protected]
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

08/31/2026

Consider this hypothetical scenario: A Veteran is ready to buy, but wonders whether waiting for rates to drop is the smarter move.

Then comes a better question: “What happens if rates improve: but the home costs more by then?”

That buyer could decide to move forward and lock in a home price they can live with. The choice creates a clear path to homeownership instead of leaving the outcome entirely to the market.

Here’s the bigger picture: Historically, home prices have often appreciated around 4–5% annually over long periods. That is not guaranteed, and every market is different: but waiting for a lower rate can sometimes mean paying more for the home itself.

Rates can change. A home’s purchase price can change, too. The right decision depends on your goals, budget, timeline, and comfort level: not headlines or guesswork.

Whether you’re a Veteran using VA benefits, a first-time buyer, or simply ready for your next chapter, I’m here to help you think it through and make a confident move.

What matters more to you right now: securing the right home price or waiting for a possible rate change?

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit ApplyWithRC.com.

Robert Chambers | 719-213-8310 | [email protected]
NMLS #2781504 | Benchmark NMLS #2143
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Benchmark Mortgage (Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC)

08/28/2026

Check out the first of my new weekly blog posts!

Find me on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertchambers2371/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-active-duty-buyers-can-buy-near-fort-carson-usafa-chambers-ii-1fj3c

Installation Area Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy are located in or near the Colorado Springs area. The installation location affects: Commute planning Housing search area BAH budgeting School and childcare decisions PCS tim

08/28/2026

Zero down is powerful. But it’s not the only reason VA loans deserve a closer look.

For eligible veterans and service members, VA financing may also offer:

• No monthly mortgage insurance (PMI)
• Potentially competitive interest rates
• The ability to restore or reuse entitlement, subject to VA rules
• A possible funding-fee exemption for eligible disabled veterans

These benefits can make a meaningful difference: but qualification, eligibility, funding-fee requirements, and program details vary. There are no guarantees of approval or savings.

As a veteran, I know how important it is to have someone who respects your service and gives you clear, honest guidance. And if you’re not using a VA loan, I’m still here to help you explore the path that fits your goals.

Veterans: Which VA benefit surprised you most? Or what question can I answer for you?

Robert Chambers | NMLS #2781504
Benchmark Mortgage / Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC | NMLS #2143
719-213-8310 | [email protected]
7680 Goddard St, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit my website at ApplyWithRC.com.

08/27/2026

Your home equity is more than a number on paper. It may be a tool: but only when used with a clear plan.

A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new loan for a larger amount. The difference may come back to you as cash, subject to qualification, appraisal, closing costs, and loan terms.

It could make sense for:
• Consolidating higher-interest debt
• Funding necessary or value-supporting renovations
• Pursuing a clearly defined financial goal

But pause first if the cash is for short-term wants, the new payment strains your budget, or you haven’t compared the full costs.

How is it different from a HELOC? A cash-out refinance creates one new mortgage and typically provides a lump sum. A HELOC is usually a second lien with a revolving credit line, and its rate or payment may change. Neither option is automatically better.

As a veteran, I look at this like any important mission: define the objective, protect your resources, and keep the long-term goal in view. The right answer depends on your budget, equity, and plans.

What would you want your equity to help accomplish? I’d be glad to hear your thoughts.

Ready to make your move? DM me or visit my website at ApplyWithRC.com.

Robert Chambers | Benchmark Mortgage
719-213-8310 | [email protected]
6189 Lehman Dr., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
NMLS #2781504 | Benchmark Mortgage NMLS #2143