Leoma Ludwig, NMLS #2214166

08/22/2026

Buying and selling at the same time can be challenging. The Cash to Win program may help eligible homeowners move forward with their next purchase by providing a conditional commitment to purchase their current home if it does not sell by an agreed-upon date. Program participation is subject to eligibility, property review, valuation, contractual terms, and other conditions. Contact me to learn more.

08/21/2026

Rates moved higher during the week ending August 21, 2026, due to pressure from global bond concerns and rising oil prices. Granite Bank is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

08/19/2026

Preparing to buy a home starts before you apply. Learn how improving your credit, building savings, and managing debt can help in our latest blog on my website.

08/17/2026

Self-employed? A bank statement loan may allow eligible borrowers to qualify using bank deposits instead of traditional tax-return income. Contact me to learn more.

08/17/2026

🏡 **Your mortgage rate says 4%… but what is your mortgage REALLY costing you?**

If you’re paying **PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)**, your interest rate isn't the only cost you should be looking at.

Let’s say you have a **$300,000 mortgage at 4%** and your PMI costs around **0.75% annually**.

That PMI alone is about **$2,250 per year — or $187.50 every month.**

💸 Keep paying it for another 5 years? That’s **$11,250** going toward mortgage insurance — not toward paying down your home.

So before you say:

**“I have a 4% rate. There’s NO WAY refinancing makes sense.”**

Let's actually run the numbers.

If you now owe **less than 80% of your home’s current value**, you may have enough equity to eliminate mortgage insurance.

And depending on your balance, equity and how many years you have left, refinancing could potentially allow you to:

🏡 Eliminate mortgage insurance
⏳ Shorten your mortgage term
💰 Pay less total interest over the remaining life of the loan
📆 Knock years off your mortgage
💵 Put your equity to work differently

Could keeping that 4% mortgage still be your best option? **Absolutely.**

But your interest rate is only ONE part of the equation.

If you’re still paying mortgage insurance, let me take a look at the whole picture and compare the numbers.

📲 **You might be surprised at what your mortgage is actually costing you.**

08/15/2026

Did you know eligible investments may be used as mortgage reserves? Depending on the loan program, assets such as stocks, mutual funds, and certain bonds may count toward reserve requirements without requiring you to cash them out. Contact me to learn more.

08/14/2026

Mortgage rates moved slightly lower during the week ending August 14, 2026, as consumer and wholesale inflation data eased rate-hike concerns. Granite Bank is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

08/13/2026

🏡 **As a Mortgage Loan Officer, referrals are truly one of the BEST compliments I can receive.** ❤️

When you send a friend, family member, coworker, or even someone you just happen to know my way, you’re trusting me to take care of them—and I don’t take that lightly.

Whether they’re thinking about **buying their first home, moving up, downsizing, refinancing, or they simply have questions and don’t know where to start**, I’m always happy to help. There’s never any pressure, and sometimes a simple conversation is all someone needs to figure out their next step.

If I’ve helped you with a home purchase or refinance and you know someone who could use the same help, I would absolutely love the referral. 🏠💕

**You don’t have to know if they qualify—that’s my job. Just send them my way.**

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their own mortgage AND trusted me enough to recommend me to someone they care about. It means more to my business than you probably realize. ❤️

08/13/2026

Does checking your own credit score hurt it? No! Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and won't affect your score. Knowing where you stand before applying for a mortgage can help you prepare with confidence.

08/12/2026

🏡 **Thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or just wondering what your options are? Let’s talk!**

As a mortgage loan officer, I’m here to help with more than just getting you a loan. I have a **multitude of resources available** to help you throughout the entire process—from figuring out where to start and understanding different loan programs to connecting you with trusted professionals and finding options that fit your individual situation.

You don’t have to have perfect credit, a huge down payment, or everything figured out before reaching out. **That’s what I’m here for.** Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation and making a plan.

Whether you’re:

* 🏠 A first-time homebuyer
* 🔑 Ready for your next home
* 💰 Considering refinancing
* 📈 Trying to improve your credit or get financially ready to buy
* ❓ Or you just have questions and don’t know where to start

**Reach out to me.** If I can help, I will—and if there’s something standing in your way right now, chances are I have a resource that can help you work toward getting there.

I would love the opportunity to earn your business and help you get HOME. ❤️