Jason Jepsky of First Federal Bank, NMLS 2017648

Jason Jepsky of First Federal Bank, NMLS 2017648 NMLS #201648
Equal Housing Lender Equal Housing Lender NMLS #2017648

Smaller homes are getting more attention right now.With affordability still tight, many buyers are looking for homes tha...
06/11/2026

Smaller homes are getting more attention right now.

With affordability still tight, many buyers are looking for homes that better fit their budget — and builders appear to be responding.

Newly built homes have been trending smaller for several years, and for some buyers, that may open up additional options.

A smaller new-construction home may come with a lower price point than a larger home, and some communities may also offer amenities like walking trails, fitness centers, shared spaces, or co-working areas.

So, if larger homes have felt out of reach, it may be worth considering whether a smaller home could better align with your budget and lifestyle.

As a Loan Officer with First Federal Bank, I can help you review financing options and explore what might be possible based on your financial situation and goals.

Drop a comment below if you’d like to talk through the numbers.


Source: Census, The typical new home in the http://U.S. is shrinking. Here’s what that means for buyers, April 2026
Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?In a recent survey, 68% of ...
05/29/2026

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?

In a recent survey, 68% of Veterans didn’t know VA home loan programs may offer flexible down payment options for qualified borrowers. 77% didn’t know mortgage insurance may not be required in certain situations. (Source: NewDay USA, VA Home Loan Benefits, April 2026)

Many also have no idea they may be able to count their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) as qualifying income.

Any of those VA loan benefits could make homeownership more achievable for eligible borrowers.

If you’ve served (or know someone who has), get in touch with me for more information on VA home loan options and what you may qualify for.

Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902


Advertisement for credit. Not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit, income, property, and underwriting approval. Rates and terms may change and vary by credit profile and loan features. Not all applicants qualify. State restrictions may apply. Not endorsed by VA.

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.But here's what the headl...
05/27/2026

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.
But here's what the headline leaves out.

Equity is also near an all-time high. And at $34.1 trillion, it's more than double the $14.4 trillion in debt. (Source: Federal Reserve, Households; Owners' Equity in Real Estate, Level, April 2026)

That could be a good thing. It could mean most homeowners own far more than they owe. So, they may have a real financial cushion right now.

That’s something homeowners didn’t have during the crash of 2008. Back then, people owed more than their homes were worth. Today, it’s just the opposite.

Homeowners are in a much better position, and the housing market is on stronger footing than the headlines suggest.

Many homeowners may be in a stronger equity position, and the housing market may be on stronger footing than some headlines suggest.

Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.But here's what the headl...
05/27/2026

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.
But here's what the headline leaves out.

Equity is also near an all-time high. And at $34.1 trillion, it's more than double the $14.4 trillion in debt. (Source: Federal Reserve, Households; Owners' Equity in Real Estate, Level, April 2026)

That could be a good thing. It could mean most homeowners own far more than they owe. So, they may have a real financial cushion right now.

That’s something homeowners didn’t have during the crash of 2008. Back then, people owed more than their homes were worth. Today, it’s just the opposite.

Many homeowners may be in a stronger equity position, and the housing market may be on stronger footing than some headlines suggest.

Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902

Military Appreciation Month: Your Dream Starts HereTo the veterans, active-duty service members, and military families w...
05/14/2026

Military Appreciation Month: Your Dream Starts Here

To the veterans, active-duty service members, and military families who have served and sacrificed — thank you.

This Military Appreciation Month, First Federal Bank is proud to help eligible military borrowers explore the benefits of a VA loan, which may make homeownership more attainable.

VA Loan Benefits May Include (for eligible borrowers):
✅ Little to no down payment
✅ Limited closing costs
✅ Gift funds accepted
✅ No pre-payment penalties

Whether you’re buying your first home, your next home, or simply want to learn more about your options, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

🏡 Your dream of homeownership starts here.

📞 Drop a comment below to learn more about VA loan options.



© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

Advertisement for credit. Not all applicants will qualify. Terms and conditions may vary. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. No government endorsement implied.

Thank you so much, Yomari C., for your amazing review!It was truly a pleasure helping you through the loan process. I’m ...
05/13/2026

Thank you so much, Yomari C., for your amazing review!
It was truly a pleasure helping you through the loan process. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of your home financing journey and appreciate the trust you placed in me.
Congratulations, and thank you again for choosing First Federal Bank!

Online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. That shows a lot of buyers aren’t sure what’...
04/30/2026

Online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. That shows a lot of buyers aren’t sure what’s actually required, and they’re looking for answers.

Unfortunately, many still think they have to put 20% down.

But the data says something very different is happening.

The typical first-time buyer often puts down less than 20% (source: National Association of Realtors). And some loan programs may allow down payments as low as 3.5% and in some cases qualified borrowers may be eligible for no down payment options (depending on their loan type).

So, that 20% myth is only holding you back and delaying your timeline more than necessary.

If you’re curious about what’s really required, it’s worth having a conversation with a trusted lender. A true expert can give you better information than an online search.

Let's chat about what your budget may get you in today’s market.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

The net worth of a homeowner may be 43x greater than that of a renter (based on national averages; individual results wi...
04/22/2026

The net worth of a homeowner may be 43x greater than that of a renter (based on national averages; individual results will vary). Source: NAR, Homeowners Are 43 Times Wealthier Than Renters, March 2026

And even if renting feels like the easier move right now, that’s a number that may stick with you – because it shows what’s at stake over time.

I know buying can feel out of reach. But when’s the last time you actually ran the numbers? Because, you might be closer than you think, depending on your financial situation and market conditions.

Now that doesn’t mean you have to buy today. But you should at least know your options and what it would take to get there.

Want to stop renting and start building something for yourself? Contact me to come up with a plan together.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet?Because if you have, it may be time to consider getting pre-appr...
04/08/2026

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet?

Because if you have, it may be time to consider getting pre-approved.

While you may be tempted to wait until you’re really serious about a house, that actually could put you behind the game.

The better bet is getting pre-approved before you fall in love with something.

It can help provide an estimate of what you may qualify to borrow, your potential price range, and an estimated monthly payment. That’s information you’re going to want up front, so you don’t fall for something outside of your range.

Plus, when a house you love hits the market, you could be ready to go – not scrambling to figure it out.

Contact me to learn more about your home financing options.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

Mortgage rates have been a bit volatile these last few weeks.And while it may feel a little nerve-wrecking if you’re pla...
03/27/2026

Mortgage rates have been a bit volatile these last few weeks.

And while it may feel a little nerve-wrecking if you’re planning to buy, that volatility is actually normal when there’s economic uncertainty or global events impacting the market.

It doesn't mean you can’t buy right now. It just means we’re in a moment where rates may bounce around a bit more. And you can’t control that.

But you could set yourself up to get a competitive rate based on your qualifications when you buy.

My advice? Focus on what you can control, like your credit score, loan type, and loan term. All three of those could impact what rate you’ll ultimately be able to get.

So, talk to a lender you trust about your options and what you can do. If you want to buy, we can still make this happen.
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902


This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.

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Fort Mill, SC
29708

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