Olga Odell Mortgage Consultant

09/06/2026

A great warrantable condo for investors or first-time buyers. Open House today 2-4 pm

08/15/2026

08/14/2026

The End of FICO's Decades-Long Monopoly on Your Mortgage

This past week I ran a credit report for a client and saw it firsthand: on the same credit report, there were two sets of credit scores, one noticeably higher than the other.
That's not an error; it's the shift the mortgage industry has anticipated for years.
For decades, Classic FICO was the only mortgage-approved scoring model, quietly deciding who qualified for a home loan. That's changing. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now accept VantageScore 4.0, with FICO 10T expected to follow.
The big changes:
→ Medical debt: VantageScore 4.0 excludes medical collections entirely. Under the old model, a medical bill in collections could tank your score for years - regardless of how responsibly you actually managed money.
→ No credit card, no problem: Classic FICO required 6+ months of active credit card use. Pay cash for everything? You might not generate a score at all. VantageScore 4.0 can generate a score from one month of credit activity and lean heavily on rent and utility payments.

The rollout of the new model has started with select lenders before expanding nationwide. Overhauling the scoring system behind an entire industry doesn't happen overnight. The bigger picture: for the first time in decades, there's a real shift in how creditworthiness is measured - a meaningful win for people whom an outdated system has boxed out.

08/08/2026

07/28/2026

Mortgage Rates Recap for July 2026

07/28/2026

Buying or owning a condo already seems enough of an adventure, so Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac decided to shake things up with a fresh batch of rule changes. There are several updates that actually make condo financing easier, while a few others may have HOAs clutching their spreadsheets.

Good News:
Smaller condo buildings with 5–10 units now get an easier approval path, which is great if you prefer neighbors you can count on one hand. The old 50% owner‑occupancy rule for investment purchases has been tossed out, so investors no longer need to conduct a building‑wide census. Roofs can now be insured at Actual Cash Value, which may help lower insurance costs. And those two insurance changes that sound intimidating - covering per‑unit deductibles and keeping your own deductible under 5% or $2,500 - are already standard for most condo policies, so you can relax.

Not‑So‑Good News:
HOAs will soon need to save 15% of their annual income instead of 10%, which may lead to dues creeping upward while boards try to build healthier reserves. The “Limited Review” option is also being retired, meaning every condo now gets a Full Review that makes lenders sweat a lot more - more paperwork, more number-crunching, and more waiting. The 15% reserve rules kick in January 1, 2027, giving HOAs time to get their financial ducks in a row! Overall, the goal is safer, better‑funded condo communities - even if the path there comes with a few growing pains.

07/06/2026

I’m excited to share that I’ve earned my MVHC certification - a step that deepens my ability to navigate the many nuances of VA lending and advocate for my veteran borrowers. VA benefits, entitlements, and program requirements come with a lot of moving parts, and being better trained means I can deliver clearer guidance and faster service.

At my brokerage, that expertise is paired with highly competitive rates and a team committed to providing excellent service to those who have selflessly served our country.

If you’re a veteran exploring home financing or if you know someone who is, I’d be grateful for your referrals. I work around the clock to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

04/29/2026

Closing days never get old, especially this one. So excited to celebrate my first clients from Colorado Springs - an amazing young family and first‑time homebuyers. Cheers to new beginnings and their homeownership journey!