Tony R Butler

09/29/2026

As the busy summer moving season starts to wind down, the pace of the market often eases up too - and that can create a quiet advantage for buyers. Homes may sit a little longer, which can open the door to more flexibility on price, terms, and concessions. If you've been thinking about buying, this fall could be a great time to explore your options. Reach out and let's see what kind of opportunity might be out there for you.

09/22/2026

Self-employed and worried your tax returns will make getting a mortgage complicated? You may have more options than you think.

Bank statement loan programs can offer another way to document income for certain self-employed borrowers and business owners.

If you've been assuming homeownership is off the table because of how you earn your income, don't count yourself out. Give me a call and let's take a look at your options.

09/16/2026

Mortgages can be confusing, and a lot of people are afraid to ask questions because they think they should already know this stuff.

Spoiler alert: you're not supposed to. That's my job.

Credit scores, down payments, closing costs, refinancing, pre-approval... ask me anything. There really is no such thing as a silly mortgage question.

If something you don't understand is holding you back, send me a message. I'm happy to help.

09/10/2026

It happens all the time: a buyer is ready to go, things are moving along... and then something avoidable throws the contract off track.

Here are 5 of the biggest "penalty flags" for new homebuyers (that you can absolutely avoid):

1️⃣ Skipping pre-approval and falling in love with homes before you know your numbers
2️⃣ Opening new credit or financing big purchases while you're under contract
3️⃣ Making large, unexplained cash deposits
4️⃣ Underestimating closing costs and only planning for the down payment
5️⃣ Changing jobs (or income type) in the middle of the process

The good news? Every one of these can be prevented with a little guidance up front.

If you're thinking about buying, let's walk through your game plan before you hit the field so you can avoid the flags and get to the closing table smoothly.

09/04/2026

Love your in-laws? Absolutely. Want to move all your boxes into their garage between homes? Maybe not!

If timing the sale of your current home with the purchase of your next one has you stressed, Highlands' Buy Before You Sell program may give you another option.

It can help you buy your next home before selling your current one, giving you more breathing room between moves.

If you're ready for your next home but the timing is holding you back, give me a call and let's see if Buy Before You Sell could work for you.

08/27/2026

Closing costs can feel a little like a jump scare at the end of the homebuying process, but they're much less intimidating when you know what's coming. These are the costs tied to finalizing your loan and purchase, and they're an important part of planning your budget.

Closing costs can include things like:
* Lender fees
* Appraisal costs
* Title work
* Prepaid property taxes
* Homeowners insurance
* Other loan and settlement-related expenses

The good news is, closing costs don't have to catch you off guard. When you understand them early, it becomes much easier to prepare and move through the process with confidence. If you'd like help estimating what closing costs could look like for your situation, I'm here to help.



https://www.highlandsmortgage.com/agents/tony-butler/

08/24/2026

If house hunting is the assignment, getting pre-approved is the smart place to start. It helps you understand your buying power, shop with more confidence, and head into the contract process looking A+ prepared. Want some extra credit this season? Let's get you pre-approved before you even start scrolling. Don't just do it for the gold star-do it for the peace of mind and the confidence in your buy



https://www.highlandsmortgage.com/agents/tony-butler/

08/20/2026

The homebuying process has a way of tossing around mortgage terms like they're everyday vocabulary, when for most people, they're anything but. Understanding basics like pre-approval vs. pre-qualification or what APR, PMI, and DTI mean can make the process feel a lot less overwhelming.

You don't need to become a mortgage expert overnight, but having a solid grasp of these terms can help you feel more confident about what you can afford and what to expect. If you've ever thought, "I probably should know what that means," then give me a call today and I can get you sorted out.



https://www.highlandsmortgage.com/agents/tony-butler/

08/20/2026