Kyle Schmidt - NMLS# 1543389 NorthStar Home Loans

09/07/2026

Today we celebrate the people whose hard work builds our homes, strengthens our communities and keeps things moving forward. 🛠️🏡

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day from all of us at NorthStar Home Loans. ⭐

09/03/2026

🏠 What should you know before your first mortgage pre-approval consultation?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to have everything figured out. That’s what the consultation is for!

But having a general idea of a few things can help us build a much better game plan:

💰 Funds available — Roughly how much do you have available for a down payment and closing costs? Will any funds be coming from a gift?

💵 Ideal monthly payment — Instead of only asking, “What’s the most I can qualify for?” I also want to know what payment actually feels comfortable for you each month.

🏡 Purchase price — If you already have a price range in mind, great. If not, we can work backward from your finances and preferred payment to establish one.

📍 Location — What towns, cities, or states are you considering? Taxes and other housing expenses can vary considerably by location.

🏘️ Property type — Are you looking for a single-family home, condo, or multifamily property? The type of home can impact financing options and qualification.

🛏️ What you're looking for — Even basics like approximate size, number of bedrooms, or whether you want a multifamily can help me understand your goals.

📅 Timeline — Are you hoping to buy next month, in six months, or sometime next year?

And remember: you don't need to know all of these answers before reaching out.

A good mortgage consultation isn't just about telling you whether you're approved. It's about figuring out where you are today, where you want to go, and creating the best path to get you there.

If homeownership is on your radar, even if you're not quite ready yet, I'm always happy to start the conversation.

09/02/2026

This month, we’re recognizing the people behind every pre-approval, question answered, problem solved and closing day. 🏡⭐

National Mortgage Professional Month is a great reminder that home financing is about more than numbers. It’s about guidance, communication and helping people understand their options every step of the way.

We’re proud of the NorthStar team and the work they do for homebuyers and homeowners throughout the communities we serve. 💙

09/01/2026

🏡 How early should you get pre-approved for a mortgage?

A good rule of thumb: 30–60 days before you realistically plan to start shopping for a home.

Why that early?

Getting pre-approved isn’t just about receiving a letter that says how much you can buy. Starting the conversation early gives us time to:

✅ Review your income, credit, assets, and overall financial picture
✅ Determine a comfortable price range and estimated monthly payment
✅ Discuss down payment and closing cost options
✅ Identify the loan programs that may fit you best
✅ Address any credit, income, or documentation issues before you find a house
✅ Build a plan so you’re ready when the right property hits the market

And getting pre-approved doesn’t mean you have to buy immediately.

If you’re thinking, “I’d probably like to start looking in a month or two,” that’s actually a great time to reach out.

The goal is simple: when you find the house you want, we’ve already done the homework. You know your numbers, understand your options, and can make an offer with confidence.

Thinking about buying this fall, winter, or even later this year? Starting the conversation early never hurts.

09/01/2026

🏡 LOAN APPROVED! ✅

Another buyer is officially approved and one step closer to CLOSING DAY! Let's go!!!

08/27/2026

When you receive a mortgage estimate, you may see a section called Prepaids — but what are you actually paying for?

Prepaids are generally not lender fees. They’re expenses associated with owning the home that are collected at closing because they need to be paid in advance or set aside for upcoming bills.

They can include:

🏡 Homeowners Insurance — Your first year’s premium may be paid upfront.

💵 Property Taxes — Depending on when taxes are due, funds may need to be collected at closing.

📅 Prepaid Interest — Mortgage interest is typically collected from the day you close through the end of that month.

🏦 Initial Escrow Deposit — If your taxes and insurance will be included in your monthly mortgage payment, money may be collected upfront to establish your escrow account.

Why does the amount vary?

Your prepaids can change depending on your closing date, property taxes, insurance premium and when upcoming bills are due.

That’s why two buyers purchasing similarly priced homes could have different amounts needed at closing.

The easiest way to think about it:

👉 Closing costs = the costs of completing the transaction and obtaining the loan.
👉 Prepaids = expenses associated with owning the home that are being paid or funded ahead of time.

Understanding these numbers before you make an offer can make the homebuying process a whole lot less stressful.

08/26/2026

Congrats to my young clients on getting their offer accepted! Really nothing better than helping first time homebuyers make their dreams a reality! Lets go to work!

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from Malcolm and Riley!

08/25/2026

You found the house, your offer was accepted… now you’re being asked for an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD). So what exactly is it?

An earnest money deposit is money you put down after your offer is accepted to show the seller that you’re serious about purchasing the home.

A few things to know:

🔑 It’s NOT an extra fee.
Your EMD is generally credited back toward the money you already need for your down payment and/or closing costs at closing.

💰 How much is it?
There isn’t one set amount. The deposit is negotiated as part of your purchase contract and can vary based on the price of the home and your local market.

🏦 Where does the money go?
It’s typically held in an escrow account by a third party until the transaction closes.

📄 What if the deal falls apart?
Whether the deposit is refundable depends on the terms and contingencies written into your purchase contract.

Example:
If you need $20,000 total at closing and you’ve already made a $5,000 earnest money deposit, that $5,000 is generally credited toward what you owe — meaning you’d have $15,000 remaining.

Think of EMD as money paid earlier in the transaction, not additional money added to the cost of buying the home.

Have questions about what you’ll need to purchase a home? Reach out anytime!

08/24/2026