Samantha Kinne at First Heritage Mortgage

09/19/2025

We all want our kids to get the best education, so it is no surprise that your home's school district can influence its value and closing time.

A study of the 100 largest metropolitan areas by the Brookings Institute found that home values in high-scoring school districts were $205,000 higher than those in lower-scoring districts.

Another study by OpenDoor found that properties in better school districts received 26% more website traffic.

Find out how to find your home's school district here: https://brev.is/l4foz

09/18/2025

When mortgage interest rates start to decline, the amount of competition to buy houses increases. 📈 Getting pre-qualified now can give you a better idea of what you can afford and will show sellers that you are serious when it comes time to make an offer, giving you a better chance of landing your dream home. 🏡

If you are thinking about buying a home this year, reach out to me today. 📲

Find out more about the pre-qualification process here: https://brev.is/y5xge

09/17/2025

A lot of my clients think student loan debt will stop them from buying a home, but that’s not the case. I can help you create a plan and find the right loan program for your situation.

Check out this blog for tips on buying a home with student loan debt: https://brev.is/EqNHt

09/16/2025

In a major win for homebuyers, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act was signed into law on 9/5/2025. Otherwise known as the Trigger Leads Bill, this law will restrict credit bureaus from selling a borrower's information to other lenders after their credit is pulled.

These "trigger leads" could sometimes result in borrowers receiving hundreds of calls, texts, and emails within a day of their credit inquiry.

Even though it won't take effect until March 5, 2026, we can celebrate that this law will lead to a safer and less stressful mortgage process for consumers.

If you are a real estate agent, connect with me to learn more about what this new law means for you and your homebuyers.

Learn more here: https://brev.is/mw6bi

09/15/2025

Buying a home is one of the biggest steps you’ll ever take, and your down payment plays a huge role in the process. 🏡 I put together 5 things you should know before making a down payment.

Swipe through for the highlights, and when you’re ready, I’d love to discuss your options and help you find what works best for you.

Read more here 👉 https://brev.is/LcTP0

09/11/2025

Nobody wants the added stress that comes from being swarmed by endless solicitations from unfamiliar lenders via phone calls, texts, and emails when making a purchase as large as a home. 🏡

These mass communications happen because credit bureaus record your activity and have been able to sell that information to other lenders. This is known as a "trigger lead". 🏦

Thankfully, trigger leads will soon become a thing of the past in March 2026, when the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act will take effect. Until then, make sure you are protected preemptively, rather than after the fact. 🧠

1️⃣ Opt out of pre-screened credit offers at OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.

2️⃣ Register your phone number at DoNotCall.gov to reduce unwanted calls.

3️⃣ Contact lenders directly rather than responding to unsolicited offers.

Learn about the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act: https://brev.is/MceCu

09/10/2025

Did you know that 97% of U.S. land is eligible for a USDA loan? 😱 With no down payment required, they make homeownership more attainable for buyers in low- and moderate-income tracts. 🏡

Learn more about USDA loans here: https://brev.is/dyuV3

09/09/2025

With rate cuts looking closer to a certainty every day, many people are starting to think about refinancing their mortgage. In addition to getting a better interest rate, refinancing also lets you turn any equity that you have built up into cash.

Learn more about refinancing your mortgage here: https://brev.is/qGUUr

09/05/2025

Buying a house is one of the most important financial decisions that you will ever make, so you want to have full confidence in the team that you are working with.

A top-notch loan officer, like me, will be able to help you navigate qualifications and make loan program recommendations based on where you stand with your personal finances taken into account.

Find more questions that you can ask to vet your lender here: https://brev.is/kG6Xx

09/02/2025

Following an order from the FHFA on July 8, 2025, lenders will soon be able to qualify borrowers using VantageScore 4.0. This is a significant win for potential homebuyers, especially those with limited credit histories.

While VantageScore 4.0 will use most of the same criteria as FICO credit scoring models, it will weigh those criteria differently and focus more on recent activity.

Learn more and find out which scoring model is right for you: https://brev.is/Ch3mU

08/26/2025

Have you ever had a client ask why their down payment size matters so much? That’s where LTV comes in. It’s the ratio of the loan amount compared to the appraised value of the property, and it plays a big role in loan approvals, interest rates, and whether PMI is required.

The lower the LTV, the stronger the deal looks to a lender. The higher it is, the more risk we have to manage. As their trusted agent, explaining LTV can help you set expectations early and avoid surprises later in the process.

I'm here to help you analyze your clients' numbers and ensure that their offers stay competitive. Reach out anytime!

08/26/2025

Following an order from the FHFA on July 8, 2025, lenders will soon be able to qualify borrowers using VantageScore 4.0. This is a significant win for potential homebuyers, especially those with limited credit histories.

While VantageScore 4.0 will use most of the same criteria as FICO credit scoring models, it will weigh those criteria differently and focus more on recent activity.

Learn more and find out which scoring model is right for you:

VantageScore vs. FICO: Understand the key differences and what the new scoring model means for future homebuyers.