https://www.facebook.com/779055815533547/

Michelle Ingle, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1261730, Denver, CO (2026)

03/11/2025

How to Choose the Right Contractor

Remodeling is an exciting chance to reimagine your home and bring your vision to life. But turning ideas into reality requires the right expertise — a skilled general contractor ensures your project stays on time, on budget and up to code.

Choosing the best contractor for the job can feel overwhelming, but these steps can help you make an informed decision.

1) Start With Referrals

Word of mouth is one of the most reliable ways to find a trustworthy contractor. Ask friends, family and neighbors who have recently completed renovations. Their experiences can provide insight into reliability, communication and craftsmanship — you may even get to see the work firsthand.

2) Check Online Reviews

If referrals are limited, online reviews can fill in the gaps. Look beyond star ratings and read comments to see how contractors handle feedback and communicate with clients. Consistent praise or recurring complaints can reveal a lot about their work ethic.

3) Interview Multiple Contractors

Narrow your options to three to five contractors specializing in your type of project. Schedule consultations and ask key questions, such as:

How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Do you belong to any professional organizations?
Can you provide references from past clients?
These conversations can give you a sense of their professionalism, expertise and whether they’re a good fit.

4) Compare Bids Thoughtfully

The lowest bid isn’t always the best choice, and a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality. Instead of focusing solely on cost, compare estimates based on materials, project timelines and the contractor’s experience.

Also, consider additional factors that matter to you. For example, are they known for sustainable building practices? Are they local or part of a bigger company? Choosing a contractor who aligns with your priorities can make the process smoother.

If you're planning a renovation, the right financing can help bring your vision to life. Reach out today to explore your options.

02/05/2025

4 Home Features Buyers Forget to Check

It’s easy to focus on must-have features when home shopping: the luxurious kitchen, the spacious backyard, the perfect living room layout. But what about the less obvious factors that can make or break your day-to-day living experience?

Here are four often-overlooked factors to consider when choosing your next home:

1. Connectivity

Most of us take reliable cell phones and internet services for granted, but these connections can still be spotty or unavailable in some areas. Rather than risk buying into a "dead zone":

Test your signal strength during showings. Make some calls and browse online to gauge signal quality.
Talk to area providers about available network coverage, data plans and internet speed tiers.

2. Noise Levels

Noise pollution from highways, railroads or airports can disrupt your peace. To evaluate a neighborhood’s noise levels:

Visit the area at different times of the day to gauge how quiet (or loud) it feels.
Speak with neighbors to get a sense of the local environment.

3. Proximity to Safety Services

Living near a fire or police station has its benefits — namely a quick response time in case of emergency, and it can help some people feel safer at home. For those who need it, proximity to local hospitals can also be a major plus.

On the other hand, emergency vehicles can be disruptive, especially at night. If you’re a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, this may outweigh the potential benefits of living close to emergency services.

4. Future Development

Local construction projects can bring new and exciting amenities, but can also change a neighborhood’s vibe over time. It might be worth looking into:

Zoning plans and permits for nearby properties.
Upcoming developments that could impact traffic, views or overall community feel.
Are you ready to start your homebuying journey? Get in touch today to explore your financing opportunities.

01/23/2025

4 Ways Your Home Can Lower Your Taxes

Tax season doesn’t have to be all about stress and expenses. Homeownership can unlock valuable tax benefits — like deductions, credits and more — that could save you money.

From property taxes to energy-efficient upgrades, here are a few ways your home could help lighten your tax burden this year.

1. Property Tax Deductions

Property taxes are deductible up to $10,000 (or $5,000 if you’re married and filing separately). This includes any taxes you reimbursed to a seller on a recent home purchase. Keep in mind that deductions must be properly itemized.

2. Home Mortgage Interest

Interest paid on first and second mortgages, home equity loans, HELOCs, home improvement loans and refinances may be eligible for deduction. This interest must be paid on a primary or second residence to qualify. Deductions may be limited based on the loan date, refunded interest and the home's fair market value.

3. Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Credit

Energy efficiency upgrades on your primary residence could net credits up to $3,200 annually. That’s up to:

$2,000 per year for qualifying heat pumps, water heaters, biomass stoves and boilers.
$1,200 per year for efficiency-related property costs and upgrades (e.g., exterior doors and windows).
Not sure if your recent upgrades qualify for a tax credit? Check your paperwork — typically, qualified appliances will come with a certification. Otherwise, you can consult a tax professional to determine if your renovations qualify.

4. Home Renovations as Medical Expenses

Renovations made to alleviate health concerns may be claimed as medical expenses. This includes entrance ramps, walk-in showers, safety rails and modifications to doors and stairways. However, elaborate upgrades that increase your home’s value may not always qualify as a medical expense.

Thinking about renovating or tapping into your home’s equity? Smart financing options could help you save. Reach out to discuss your options today.

12/27/2024

The Hidden Value of a Home Inspection

Waiving contingencies is a strategic way to gain an edge in a competitive market. But one contingency you should think twice about waiving is the inspection. While skipping a property inspection may save time and money upfront, the long-term risks can far outweigh the initial rewards.

Here are five reasons why a third-party property inspection should happen before every home purchase.

1. Discover Hidden Problems

No matter how many times you view a home:

Structural issues like foundation cracks can go unnoticed by the untrained eye and can be easily covered by surface repairs.
Major system issues like faulty electrical or plumbing aren’t typically visible during a walk-through.
Unseen health hazards like mold and radon require special training and equipment to detect and correct.
2. Gain Negotiating Leverage

If a problem is found during the home inspection, you can:

Ask the seller to address it.
Request a repair credit and fix it yourself.
Request a reduction in the final sale price.
3. Learn More About Your Home’s Needs

A property inspection can provide insight into the life expectancy of home systems and structures. For example, a seller may not pay for the replacement costs of a roof expected to last another five years, but knowing when that replacement will be necessary allows you to budget accordingly.

4. Protect Your Investment

Homeowners often make renovations without proper permits. Even if this work appears flawless, it could be a safety hazard. If you purchase a home with unpermitted renovations, the liability and costs of legal refurbishments may be passed on to you.

5. Obtain Better Financing

A property inspection can result in better loan terms (e.g., a reduced interest rate). Many loan products, including FHA and VA loans, require a home inspection for approval.

Ready to embark on your homebuying journey? Reach out to discuss which financing options may be right for you.

12/27/2024

How to Fight Rising Home Insurance Costs

Paying more for home insurance? You’re not alone. Home insurance premiums are on the rise, leaving many homeowners feeling the financial pinch.

Rate increases occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are out of your control. But there are a few things you can do to minimize your financial burden. Here are three tips to keep your home insurance more affordable:

1. Avoid high-cost areas.

If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to keep in mind that home insurance rates vary by location. Premiums tend to be higher in densely populated cities than in suburban and rural communities because replacement costs skew higher. Areas prone to natural disasters such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes command even higher rates — sometimes they’re denied coverage altogether.

2. Minimize liability risks.

Outdoor amenities like swimming pools and hot tubs can be appealing and even help boost a home’s value. But to insurance carriers, these are “attractive nuisances” that necessitate greater liability coverage. Even something as simple as a trampoline can create a liability that increases insurance costs. Asking your carrier about discounts for safety features like pool covers and fencing can help mitigate additional costs.

3. Renovate strategically.

Renovations can end up increasing your insurance premium and coverage requirements. For example, upgrading your flooring to high-end materials can increase their replacement costs. Adding a wood-burning fireplace creates additional fire risk, which impacts dwelling and liability coverage.

While you may not be able to avoid these cost adjustments, it’s not all bad news. Certain renovations can actually drive down insurance costs, such as upgrades to outdated roofing, plumbing and electrical.

Bonus Tip: Weatherproofing can be especially cost effective in at-risk areas. Ideas include fireproofing and sprinkler systems, water leak detection, hurricane straps and impact-resistant windows and doors.

Have a home improvement project in mind? Reach out to discuss your financing options.

09/20/2024

Let’s talk about a topic that doesn’t exactly make for great dinner conversation but is crucial to our clients’ financial health: credit utilization.

Credit utilization is basically the Goldilocks of the credit world. Not too high, not too low, but just right. It’s the percentage of credit your clients use compared to their total available credit. And it makes up a whopping 30% of their FICO credit score! That’s more than a quarter of the pie, so we can’t ignore it.

The Magic Numbers: 10% vs. 30%:

- 10% Utilization: This is the gold standard, the sweet spot. Keeping utilization around 10% shows clients are able to borrow money on a consistent basis and pay it back regularly.

- 30% Utilization: This is the upper limit. Anything above this and this becomes a whole other situation. Keeping it under this limit shows that while your clients use their credit, they aren’t maxing out their cards and living on borrowed money.

12/08/2023

6 THINGS NOT TO DO WHEN APPLYING FOR A Michelle Ingle, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1261730

WHEN LENDERS REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION, THEY LIKE TO SEE CONSISTENCY IN YOUR FINANCES

Do not make major purchases like furniture, appliances, jewelry, vehicles or vacations.

Don’t change or quit your job.

Consult with your mortgage professional before withdrawing, depositing or moving large amounts of money in or out of your bank account.

Do not pay off debts or collections (unless instructed to do so by a mortgage professional).

Avoid using cash for a good faith deposit – cash is difficult to verify and could result in a closing delay.

Don’t have your credit report pulled too many times – this can hurt your credit score.

10/30/2023

What to Do if Your Preapproval Expires

In today's competitive seller's market where housing options are limited, you've taken the proactive step of securing a mortgage preapproval as you embark on your journey to purchase a new home.

However, there’s something important to keep in mind: Your mortgage preapproval comes with an expiration date. So what's your strategy if it expires before you finalize the deal?

Let's dive into your available options.

Don’t panic — but do take immediate action.

There’s no penalty for expired preapproval. Simply contact your lender to determine what steps are necessary. Most of your information will already be on file, but you may need to update and resubmit pertinent financial documentation. Keep in mind that your initial preapproval amount may change with each subsequent preapproval.

Be prepared for potential credit report changes.

As your financial situation changes (e.g., new debt, loss of income), so does what you can afford. Market fluctuations like rising interest rates can also impact your creditworthiness. To account for such changes, lenders typically limit the length of mortgage preapproval to 30-90 days.

If preapproval expires, why bother applying?

A letter of intent from a willing lender allows you to put your best foot forward on the road to homeownership. You know what you can afford — and so do sellers. This not only helps you streamline the search process but also gives you a competitive edge over less-qualified buyers.

Unlike prequalification, an estimate based on self-reported information, preapproval requires official documentation (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns). Lenders review your income, assets and credit history to accurately determine your debt-to-income ratio, creditworthiness and maximum loan eligibility. Sellers prioritize preapproved buyers because they know they’ve undergone a rigorous credit evaluation.

If you have questions about preapproval or need help navigating the loan application process, reach out today.

10/12/2023

How to Know When You've Outgrown a Home

When you purchased your home, it felt like a dream come true. Now, it feels like you’re waking up to a not-so-rosy reality. Why is that so?

You may be outgrowing your home. As a household’s size, preferences and priorities change over time, a once ideal living space can start to feel unlivable. Upgrades and renovations can alleviate these growing pains, but sometimes relocation is the best solution.

4 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Home

1. Renovations have become constant or unrealistic.

Every home needs a little work from time to time, but renovations shouldn’t be an ongoing necessity. Plus, property limitations like your home’s size or HOA regulations can make certain renovations impossible. Once the constraints of your existing property prohibit necessary upgrades, it might be time to consider looking elsewhere.

2. You’re running out of space.

As new children, relatives and pets enter the household, it might start to feel cramped. Even a single-person household can start to feel too small as belongings accumulate over time.

3. Your lifestyle no longer suits the location.

Initially, your downtown apartment made perfect sense. It was within walking distance of your office, not to mention local pubs and eateries. But now you’re a parent working from home with a kid who will be starting school next fall. Suddenly, an affordable suburban home not far from school might sound more appealing.

4. Your income has changed.

Maybe you’ve received a promotion at work that’s significantly increased your salary and cash flow. Or maybe you’ve decided to quit your job, empty your savings and start your own business. Either way, now’s the perfect time to reconsider the suitability of your current living situation and adjust accordingly.

Thinking of making some changes? Reach out to discuss your home financing opportunities.

09/29/2023

3 Must-Do's for New Homeowners

Settling into a new home goes beyond just unpacking boxes — it's about adapting to a different space, embracing a new community and establishing fresh routines. The initial months can sometimes feel daunting, especially if your surroundings are unfamiliar and you haven’t established a social network yet.

Luckily, there are some proactive steps you can take to ease the transition. Here are three must-do’s for any new homeowner to get familiar with their new space:

1. Locate the electrical panel & water shut-off valves.

Knowing where your electrical panel and water valve are located is essential, especially during emergencies. Electrical panels are typically found in your garage, basement or utility room. This box houses the main circuit breaker for the entire house and individual breakers for specific outlets.

In colder areas, valves are located indoors to prevent freezing. In warmer climates, outdoor valves are more common and are typically found on an exterior wall or in an underground box with a removable lid.

2. Get to know your neighbors.

Housewarming parties and backyard barbeques are quick and easy ways to meet a number of your new neighbors in one afternoon. You can also attend community events, participate in online forums and utilize apps like Nextdoor.

3. Start a homeowner’s journal.

Use a dedicated binder to organize pertinent information about your home. This can include maintenance and repair receipts, tax records, insurance policies and other important documentation. Tracking this information will help you stay on top of important policies, recurring fees and ongoing maintenance like your HVAC system. It also can be helpful should you ever decide to sell later on.

Interested in learning more about how you can finance your homeownership journey? Get in touch today.

09/14/2023

How Does the Prime Rate Impact Loans?

In 2022, the prime rate went up by 4 points, going from 3.5% to 7.5%. This happened because the Federal Reserve wanted to better manage inflation. By July 2023, the prime rate had gone up to 8.5%

But what does all of this actually mean? What is the prime rate, and how does it impact financial products like credit cards and loans? Why does it fluctuate and how?

What is the prime rate?

The prime rate refers to the best possible interest rate a lender can offer to a borrower. Only the most creditworthy of borrowers with the lowest risk of default are eligible. As a result, the prime rate is typically reserved for corporations.

Individual financial institutions determine the prime rate, not the federal government. However, the prime rate is heavily influenced by the federal funds rate set by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). In most cases, the prime rate equates to the current federal funds rate plus 3%.

How does the prime rate impact financial products?

Lenders use the prime rate as a benchmark for determining consumer interest rates on financial products like loans and credit cards. For example, a low-risk borrower might receive the prime rate plus 9% (compared to 15% for high-risk borrowers).

When the prime rate fluctuates, so do the interest rates consumers receive. Prime rate fluctuations also impact variable-rate products like credit cards, adjustable mortgages and home equity loans.

What makes the prime rate go up and down?

The prime rate isn’t fixed, has no limits and can fluctuate over time. Fluctuations tend to coincide with changes in the federal funds rate, the benchmark most commonly used to determine prime rates. But the prime rate can also be impacted by inflation and loan demand.

Want to learn more about your loan options? Get in touch.

Michelle Ingle, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1261730

03/11/2025

02/05/2025

01/23/2025

12/27/2024

12/27/2024

09/20/2024

12/08/2023

10/30/2023

10/12/2023

09/29/2023

09/14/2023

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category