Alicia Vanderschaaf the Mortgage Maestro - NMLS# 1865858

Alicia Vanderschaaf the Mortgage Maestro - NMLS# 1865858 Welcome to the world of home financing, guided by Alicia Vanderschaaf, The Mortgage Maestro.

09/09/2026

🎼 Mortgage Maestro Minute #022: Fixed Rate vs. ARM

Fixed-rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage? 🤔

What's the difference?

With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. That means your principal and interest payment stays consistent over the term of the mortgage.

An ARM, or adjustable-rate mortgage, starts with a fixed interest rate for a specific period of time. After that initial period, the rate can adjust according to the terms of the loan.

So which one is better?

It depends!

A fixed-rate mortgage can provide predictability and peace of mind. An ARM may make sense for certain borrowers who expect to move, refinance, or otherwise not keep the loan for the entire term—but the future rate and payment are not guaranteed.

The important thing isn't choosing the loan with the trendiest name.

It's choosing the loan that makes sense for your financial situation and your plans for the home.

🎵 That’s today’s note! I’m Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

09/08/2026

I really do love being a mortgage lender. ❤️🏡

Helping people buy homes, watching their dreams come together, and getting them to the closing table is the best part of my job.

And then there’s… the other part. 😂

The emails. The documents. The conditions. The last-minute surprises. The appraisal. The underwriting questions. The “wait… what happened?” moments.

So yes, I love being a mortgage lender.

…but also me: 💃🏻🔥💀😂

Mortgage lending: where every day is a little bit of the American Dream and a little bit of Offenbach.

09/07/2026

🎼 Mortgage Maestro Minute #021: What Happens at Closing?

You found the house.
You got approved.
You made it through underwriting.

Now it's time to close! 🏡🎉

Closing is the final step where the buyer signs the documents needed to complete the purchase and finalize the mortgage.

You'll review and sign your loan documents, provide any required funds, and the necessary parties complete the paperwork to transfer ownership of the property.

And then comes one of the best parts…

🔑 You get the keys!

But don't wait until closing day to start asking questions. Your lender, title company, and other professionals involved in the transaction are there to help you understand what's happening before you sit down at the closing table.

A smooth closing starts with being prepared.

🎵 That’s today’s note! I’m Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

09/04/2026

🎼 Mortgage Maestro Minute #020: What Is Homeowners Insurance?

Buying a home means protecting your investment—and that’s where homeowners insurance comes in.

Homeowners insurance can help protect you financially if your home or belongings are damaged by certain covered events, such as fire, storms, theft, and more.

And if you have a mortgage, your lender will typically require you to maintain homeowners insurance throughout the life of the loan.

One thing to remember: your insurance premium is part of the overall cost of owning a home. Depending on your loan setup, it may also be collected through your escrow account along with your property taxes.

So when you’re figuring out what you can comfortably afford each month, don’t just look at principal and interest. Make sure you consider taxes, insurance, and any other applicable costs.

🏡 Protect the home. Protect the investment.

🎵 That’s today’s note! I’m Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

09/02/2026

🎼 Mortgage Maestro Minute #019: What Is PMI?

You've probably heard someone say, "I don't want to pay PMI!"

But what exactly is PMI?

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance, and it's typically required on conventional loans when you have less than 20% equity in the home.

PMI protects the lender, not the borrower, if the borrower doesn't make their mortgage payments.

But here's the thing: PMI isn't necessarily bad.

For some buyers, paying PMI can make it possible to purchase a home sooner instead of waiting years to save a larger down payment.

And with many conventional loans, PMI can eventually be removed once you build enough equity, subject to the requirements of your specific loan.

So don't automatically dismiss a loan because it has PMI. Look at the whole picture.

🎵 That's today's note! I'm Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

08/31/2026

🎼Mortgage Maestro Minute #018: What Are Closing Costs?

You've saved for your down payment...and then someone tells you you'll also need money for closing costs.

So, what are they?

Closing costs are the fees and expenses associated with getting your mortgage and completing the purchase of your home.

They can include things like lender fees, title services, appraisal fees, recording fees, prepaid taxes, and homeowners insurance.

And here's the important part: closing costs are separate from your down payment.

The amount can vary depending on your loan, the property, and the specifics of your transaction.

That's why it's important to talk with your lender early about how much money you'll actually need to get to the closing table.

🎵 That's today's note! I'm Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

08/28/2026

🎼Mortgage Maestro Minute #017: What Is a Closing Disclosure?

You're getting close to the finish line, and now it's time to talk about the Closing Disclosure, or CD.

The Closing Disclosure is a document that lays out the final details of your mortgage, including your loan amount, interest rate, monthly payment, closing costs, and the amount you'll need to bring to closing.

You'll receive it before closing so you have time to review the numbers and ask questions.

And here's an important tip: don't just glance at it and put it away! Take the time to look it over and make sure you understand what you're seeing.

If something doesn't look right or you have questions, contact your lender.

🎵 That's today's note! I'm Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

08/27/2026

Another great night with the Downtown Edmond Social Club! ❤️

Last night we met up at Spunkie's Soul Food in the Icehouse Project for good food, great conversation, and another Edmond business getting to take home the trophy!

🏆 Frenzy Brewing Company passed the Edmond Business Trophy to Silver Leaf Gems! 💎

And now… mark your calendars!

🎉 BINGO NIGHT at Frenzy
📅 September 10

And we've got a VERY special bingo caller lined up for the evening…

🎤 ME! 😂

Come hang out, support a local business, and see if I can actually call bingo without causing a riot. 😉

08/26/2026

🎼Mortgage Maestro Minute #016: What Are Loan Conditions?

Your loan is in underwriting, and then you hear those words:

"We have some conditions." 😳

Don't panic!

Loan conditions are simply additional items or documentation the lender needs before the loan can receive final approval.

Maybe we need an updated bank statement. Maybe we need to clarify something about your income. Maybe there's a document that needs to be signed or corrected.

Conditions don't necessarily mean there's a problem with your loan. They're a normal part of the process as the lender verifies that everything meets the requirements.

The best thing you can do? Respond quickly when your lender asks for something. The faster we get what we need, the faster we can keep your loan moving.

🎵 That's today's note! I'm Alicia, the Mortgage Maestro, helping you stay in tune with home financing.

08/25/2026

Join us tomorrow for the next meeting of the Downtown Edmond Social Club!

Spunkie's Soul Food is located in the Icehouse Project.

Address

1133 N Bryant Avenue
Edmond, OK
73034

Telephone

(405)2228330

Website

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