Laura Merrifield - Guild Mortgage

06/03/2026

Most people think buying a home is a personal milestone.

It is.
But it’s also a community event.

Because when a household becomes stable, the ripple effect is real:

🏡 Economy: local trades, local vendors, local jobs
🤝 Community: more roots, more pride, more investment in the block
🧠 Health: stability can lower stress and help families breathe
👧🏽 Kids: consistency with school, friends, and support systems

And in a market where affordability feels tight and rates have stayed elevated, people need reminders like this:

✅ Housing isn’t just a purchase. It’s a foundation.

If you work with buyers, sellers, or renters, save this.
If you know someone who’s feeling “guilty” for wanting a home, share it.

Sometimes the best financial decisions are also the most human ones.

06/02/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield by Reece Y - Highly recommend! Laura and her team made the process smooth and easy while being able to answer all my questions in a timely manner.

Click to see all 355 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

06/02/2026

Open houses can be fun.
They can also be a trap.

Because the house looks great for 10 minutes, but the questions you don’t ask are what show up later in inspections, insurance, appraisal, and negotiations.

Here are a few we’d bring with you:

> What’s the seller hoping happens here?
Price is only one part of the deal. Terms matter.

> What’s been updated and what hasn’t?
Roof, HVAC, windows, plumbing, electrical. The boring stuff is the expensive stuff.

> Any known issues or past repairs we should know about?
Water history and foundation stories are worth hearing early.

> What are the monthly extras people forget?
HOA, special assessments, utilities, flood zone, insurance.

> How competitive is it really?
Offers, price changes, and back-on-market history tell you what kind of leverage you may have.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone you know right now who may be considering attending some open houses this year... :)

06/01/2026

Your home is probably your biggest asset. June is a great month to protect it.

In today’s market, the win isn’t “timing the perfect rate.” It’s staying in control of the costs you can control. (And yes, insurance is one of the big ones right now.)

This checklist is intentionally simple:

- Prevent small home issues from becoming big claims
- Reduce the chance of a mid-summer emergency expense
- Review coverage and deductibles before renewal season pressure
- Check credit and due dates to keep borrowing power strong

If you want, we can help you think through your “home base plan” for the rest of 2026: reserves, insurance, and smart options for accessing equity only when it actually fits your life.

Save this for your first weekend in June.

05/29/2026

Rent isn’t “wasted money.” It’s housing. It’s stability. It’s often the right choice for a season.

But here’s what people don’t talk about enough: rent is also hard to plan retirement around because it’s a payment that can keep changing.

In today’s market, a lot of people feel stuck. Rates have been higher, and it can feel like the goalposts keep moving.

So instead of pushing “buy now,” here’s a better question:

What would you need to feel confident?
Not pressured. Not rushed. Confident.

A few things we can help you map out (even if buying is 6 to 18 months away):

1. What a lender actually looks for
2. How to build a plan while you’re still renting (or living at home)
3. What “ready” really means for your budget, not the internet’s budget

If you’re renting and thinking, “I want a plan, I just don’t know the steps,” then let's chat. Shoot us a DM, and we'll be happy to help.

05/28/2026

A mortgage should support your life, not force you to build your life around it.

Because most people don’t feel trapped by the house.

They feel trapped by the payment, the timeline, or the fear of “making the wrong move.”

A good plan leaves room for real life:

-Job changes
-Kids and schools
-Caring for parents
-A future move
-The unexpected stuff that always shows up

And right now, that planning matters even more. Mortgage rates have been volatile lately, and affordability pressure is real.

If you’re thinking about buying in the next 3–6 months, here’s the question we’ll help you answer:
What loan structure keeps you flexible if life changes?

Comment “Flex” and we’ll share the 3 options we usually walk through (and who each one tends to fit).

05/27/2026

Renting is not “bad.” Buying is not “always better.”
They just solve different problems.

Renting can make sense when you want flexibility, low responsibility, or you’re still figuring out your next move.

Owning can make sense when you want stability, more control, and the kind of pride that hits when you walk in the door and think, “We did this.”

If you’re debating it right now, ask yourself one question:
Do you want your housing to stay flexible, or start building a foundation?

If you want, comment RENT or OWN, and we’ll tell you the 2-3 factors that usually matter most based on your timeline (no pressure, just clarity).

05/26/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Mark R J - The Reverse Mortgage Team at Guild especially Steven Barnes and Jim Cory worked out an FHA issue for my wife and my Site Condo that would have been a hard stop otherwise . Closers and underwriters all worked as a team. Very seamless and low stress. Laura Merrifield
and her Hawai'i team
were always there for us.

Click to see all 352 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

05/26/2026

Graduation season has a way of turning into housing season.

A new job offer. A new city. A lease ending. A “should we keep renting?” conversation that suddenly feels real.

If you’re a parent helping a grad take the next step, or you’re the grad trying to figure it out, don’t start with listings.

Start with these 3 questions:

1. Is the next 12 months about flexibility or stability?
2. If family is helping, is it a one-time boost or ongoing support?
3. Are we choosing a home, or choosing a monthly comfort zone?

Because the biggest mistake we see this time of year is buying a house when what you really needed was a clear plan for the next chapter.

If you want, comment GRAD and we’ll share a simple “rent vs. buy vs. wait” checklist we use for families making graduation moves.

05/25/2026

Had an amazing time in Oregon ❤️

So grateful I got to attend Guild's fundraising pickleball tournament and spend time with such incredible people. Beth, Thank you for showing me around Portland - the views, the energy, and the community were all so special.

The support at the event was awesome, and one of my favorite parts was getting the chance to connect and talk with so many new people throughout the weekend.

Honestly, it was one of those weekends that just filled my cup.
These are the moments that remind you how important community, friendships, and showing up for each other really are.

You may also know me as the “Mortgage Fairy” 🧚‍♀️ helping people navigate the financing side of homeownership… and Dana McKillop officially earned the title of the “Dream Home Fairy” for helping people find where their next chapter begins. ✨🏡