Laura Merrifield - Guild Mortgage

09/08/2026

A higher mortgage rate doesn’t automatically mean it’s a worse time to buy.

In some markets, buyers may have more room to negotiate on purchase price, seller-paid closing costs, repairs, inspection terms, or even a permanent interest rate buydown.

That changes the conversation. Instead of looking at the rate alone, we help you evaluate the full deal and how it fits your finances. Rates may change later. The price you negotiate for the home does not.

09/07/2026

Since Labor Day is all about work, here’s something that comes up more than people realize when a new job also means a move.

A lot of people assume if they are relocating for a new position they have to move first, rent for awhile, get settled and THEN think about buying.

But depending on the type of job, when you start, how you’re paid and the loan program… that may not always be the case.

In some situations your new income may actually be able to be used to qualify before you’ve even received that first paycheck.

Which can make a pretty big difference if you already know the area you want to be in and don’t really love the idea of moving twice.

Of course this is very situation specific and there are rules around how future income can be used.

But if a new job or transfer is taking you somewhere new, it may be worth asking the question before automatically signing a lease.

And if you want someone to look at your situation and tell you what may or may not be possible, I’m happy to talk it through with you… no pressure and no commitment.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!!

09/05/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Stephen N - Laura was incredibly helpful and made the whole process go so smoothly for both our HELOC and the mortgage on our new home. She was always responsive, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. We would absolutely recommend her.

Click to see all 383 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

09/05/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Andrea K - Laura always finds a way to get things accomplished in a timely matter and satisfy the clients needs.
an experienced pro and gives it her all!

Click to see all 383 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

09/05/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Patsy V - Laura! Laura! Laura!

Click to see all 383 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

09/04/2026

Before the long holiday weekend kicks off, there’s an observation we’ve seen that’s too good not to share.

There happens to be a buyer category hiding in a lot of real estate databases.

- They aren’t clicking listings every night.
- They aren’t requesting showings.
- They might even insist they would “never give up” their current mortgage rate.

But life keeps happening.

Families grow.
Jobs change.
Parents age.
Relationships change.
People relocate.

The question isn’t always whether they want another house.

It’s whether anyone has helped them understand how a move could actually work financially.

That conversation may be one of the biggest untapped opportunities for agents heading into fall.

09/04/2026

4.5 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Joshua W - Good communication, knowledgable and helpful

Click to see all 383 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

09/04/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Laura Merrifield by Jenna F - Laura has been working with us to find and finance our first home for over 10 years! Throughout the years, she and her team have always been patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. They took the time to explain the process, review the numbers with us, answer our many questions, and never once made us feel rushed or pressured.
Over the years, there were times when we came close to purchasing a home but ultimately decided the timing wasn’t right. Laura was always understanding and encouraging, and when we were finally ready to purchase our first home, we knew exactly who we wanted to work with.
Laura and her team have an established reputation for being trustworthy and dependable, and we experienced that firsthand. Because we had complete confidence that Laura had our best interests at heart, the financing process felt smooth and worry-free. After such a long journey toward homeownership, we are incredibly grateful to Laura and the entire Guild Mortgage team for helping us finally make it a reality. We highly recommend them!

Click to see all 383 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Laura Merrifield, Branch Manager | NMLS # 377563

09/03/2026

Price reductions are becoming more common again as sellers compete for a smaller pool of buyers.

Sometimes reducing the price is absolutely the right move.

But if the buyer’s actual objection is monthly payment, it’s worth looking at the financing before assuming price is the only lever available.

✅ Could seller concessions help?
✅ Could a rate strategy change affordability?
✅ Could closing-cost assistance preserve the buyer’s liquidity?

The answer will depend on the buyer, loan program and property.

But this is exactly why financing belongs in the listing strategy conversation before the offer ever arrives.

So to all who say they are a listing agent, well we are a listing lender ready to help. 😉

09/02/2026

Realtor friends, correct me if I’m wrong, but “I’m waiting for rates” has become one of the most common ways buyers pause the conversation.

Yet, when offered a causal lender conversation… we have discovered this “objection” isn’t always the actual problem.

- Sometimes they’re worried about the payment.
- Sometimes they’re afraid of buying at the wrong time.
- Sometimes they haven’t seen what seller concessions could do.
- And sometimes they simply need permission to slow down and understand the numbers.

For agents and lenders, that distinction matters.

B/c we can’t solve the wrong objection.

The strongest buyer conversations right now may start by asking what “waiting for rates” actually means to that particular person.

Do you agree?