Sam Fickel, Mortgage Advisor. NMLS 1874259

Sam Fickel, Mortgage Advisor. NMLS 1874259 Mortgage Lender based in Tri Cities, WA specializing in VA loans, creative financing for investors, HELOCs, and more I’m living the American Dream right now.

What do you think of when you hear about the "American Dream?”

Most people think it means owning a house, starting a business, or financial stability. For me, the American Dream goes much deeper than that. Not just because my wife and I bought a house for our 4 pets, or because 8 years in the Army National Guard paid for my business degree. It’s because with the assistance of supportive family, f

riends, and leadership, I’ve positioned myself to help myself, by helping others. The more families I help, the more I’m rewarded. The more I’m rewarded, the more I can create for my future children, invest in a joyful retirement, tithe to my church, and give back to the community that made me the man I am. To me, the American Dream equals opportunity. While there are plenty of ways to do so, some people start with buying a house. For many, this is the biggest decision of their lives. As your mortgage loan advisor I’m here to ensure that you fully understand the options available to you. Whether it’s a purchase or a refinance, I’ll help address the impact those decisions will have for your future in a way that is transparent and comprehensive. Feel free to email me any time, or you can text between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week/end. Also, if you find me on Facebook, don’t hesitate to send me a friend request!

08/02/2026

Today marks 7 years in lending! 🎉 🎂

These might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often they happen!In reality, none of these items are impossible t...
05/13/2026

These might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often they happen!

In reality, none of these items are impossible to work through, as long as you consult with your mortgage lender prior to doing them. That way, we can guide you on how to navigate the process, and we can set proper expectations with everyone involved.

But I swear, if you do this stuff without giving your loan officer the heads up, ooooooh boyyyyy you're in for something special!

VA loans are easily the most powerful loan products out there. Between the great rates, no down payment, no mortgage in...
05/11/2026

VA loans are easily the most powerful loan products out there. Between the great rates, no down payment, no mortgage insurance, and a streamline refinance option, they provide the opportunity of homeownership to millions of veterans - myself included!

05/08/2026

The official definition of a first time home buyer is "someone who as not held title to real property in the last 36 mon...
05/06/2026

The official definition of a first time home buyer is "someone who as not held title to real property in the last 36 months". This means that:
-If you inherited property (and therefore hold title to it), you are NOT a first time buyer.
-If you bought a manufactured home in a park or rented lot, you can still be a first timer since that is not considered real property.
-If you've owned a home most of your life, but you've been renting since you sold your home 3 years ago, you are now a first time home buyer.

A lot of folks have really good rates on their current homes. But when life happens and you need to move, what can you d...
05/04/2026

A lot of folks have really good rates on their current homes. But when life happens and you need to move, what can you do if you don't want to lose that amazingly low rate?

Do what I did in 2023 - convert your home into a rental. You don't need to refinance or anything, and you can maximize cash flow while building equity. Don't want to deal with tenants? Just hire a property management company!

Personally, I like to allocate my spending weekly. That way, if I want to add an extra hundred bucks a month, it's "only...
04/29/2026

Personally, I like to allocate my spending weekly. That way, if I want to add an extra hundred bucks a month, it's "only $25/week" that I can't spend on who-knows-what. This strategy makes goal setting much easier!

Asset Depletion is one way to qualify for a loan without having income. It works by using a percentage of your available...
04/27/2026

Asset Depletion is one way to qualify for a loan without having income. It works by using a percentage of your available assets, usually retirement accounts, and "depleting" it over time, usually 240 months.

So if you have $2,000,000 in an IRA or 401(k), then that comes out to $8,333/month of qualifying income.

But if you have that much money available, why not just buy the house with cash?
That's certainly an option - but you may have to pay taxes on the funds you withdraw, and those funds will no longer grow with the stock market. The decision ultimately depends on what you're comfortable with, and how you want to structure your finances.

Address

1030 N Center Pkwy
Kennewick, WA
99336

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