Katy Spake, Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #771229

08/01/2026

August is Back to School Month! It’s a season of fresh starts, sharpened pencils, and packed calendars. ✏️

Whether you're sending off a kindergartener with an oversized backpack or watching your college kid drive away, this time of year holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a return to routine, a reset button for families, and a chance to refocus, in school, at home, and even financially.

Take a moment this month to check in on your goals, your budget, and your calendar. Big or small, every step you take now helps set the tone for the rest of the year.

We’re here to support you, however you’re starting the season. 💛

05/09/2026

It’s one of the trickiest moves in real estate: selling your current home while buying the next. The timing can feel impossible, but with the right plan, it’s absolutely doable.

1️⃣ Start with your contingency options.
A home sale contingency can protect you if your current home hasn’t sold yet, but it can also make your offer less competitive. A good lender and agent can help you weigh that choice and see if bridge financing might make more sense.

2️⃣ Have a short-term plan.
If your home sells before you’ve closed on your new one, consider temporary housing or a short-term rental. It’s not perfect, but it can save you from feeling rushed into the wrong house.

3️⃣ Loop your lender in early.
We’ll look at your current mortgage, your home equity, and what you expect from the sale. The earlier you start that conversation, the more options we can line up, like a bridge loan, HELOC, or short-term solution to keep your move stress-free.

Buying and selling at once takes coordination, but it doesn’t have to take a toll. With a clear plan and the right lending partner, you can make the move confidently and keep your peace of mind along the way.

05/08/2026

Most homebuyers assume that collecting more mortgage quotes automatically leads to a better deal. On paper, it sounds logical. More options should mean more savings, right? In reality, rate shopping without a clear strategy often creates confusion, delays decisions, and can even cost you the home you want.

Most homebuyers assume that collecting more mortgage quotes automatically leads to a better deal. On paper, it sounds logical. More options should mean more savings, right? In reality, rate shopping without a clear strategy often creates confusion, delays decisions, and can even cost you the home yo...

05/04/2026

When most people think about a 30-year fixed mortgage, they focus on the rate. Is it high? Is it low? Should they wait?

But that framing misses the bigger picture entirely.

When you lock in a fixed-rate mortgage, you’re not just buying a home—you’re making a long-term financial move that quietly works in your favor over time.

Learn more: https://trst.in/wTmfFA

04/29/2026

It’s natural to wonder, “Should I wait?” 🤔

Maybe you’re hoping rates improve. Maybe you’re waiting for more listings. Maybe you just want the timing to feel perfect.

But here’s something worth considering: waiting has a cost, too.

Home prices can change. Rent payments continue. Opportunities come and go. And while no one can predict the market perfectly, the right time to buy is often more about your life than the headlines.

If your income is stable, your savings are in place, and homeownership aligns with your long-term goals, it may be worth looking at what’s possible now.

There’s no pressure, just perspective. If you’d like to run the numbers and see what waiting vs. moving forward could look like for you, I’m happy to help.

04/08/2026

Most homeowners think of home equity as something that just sits there—a number on a statement, growing quietly over time.

But experienced homeowners and investors treat equity very differently. To them, it’s not passive. It’s a financial tool—one that can be deployed strategically to create income, reduce costs, and build long-term wealth.

Let’s break down how that actually works:

Most homeowners think of home equity as something that just sits there—a number on a statement, growing quietly over time. But experienced homeowners and investors treat equity very differently. To them, it’s not passive. It’s a financial tool—one that can be deployed strategically to create...

03/31/2026

Last call for Credit Education Month ✔️

Take a few minutes to review your credit report today.
Get your free copy at AnnualCreditReport.com—or access your report, score, and monitoring through i-bank’s online banking - also free!

Check for errors.
Watch for suspicious activity.
Dispute anything that doesn’t look right.

Small step. Big impact.
i-bank — a better way to bank.

03/30/2026

Every headline seems to say the same thing: rates are up, so it’s a bad time to buy. But that’s only looking at one piece of the equation. Real estate has always been about timing, strategy, and opportunity — and in many ways, a "high-rate market "might be creating advantages for buyers who are paying attention.

Every headline seems to say the same thing: rates are up, so it’s a bad time to buy. But that’s only looking at one piece of the equation. Real estate has always been about timing, strategy, and opportunity — and in many ways, a "high-rate market "might be creating advantages for buyers who ar...

03/23/2026

When people think about a mortgage, the 30-year fixed rate is often seen as the safest and most traditional option. And for many homeowners, it absolutely makes sense. But there are situations where another option — an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) — can be the smarter financial move. Learn more here:

When people think about a mortgage, the 30-year fixed rate is often seen as the safest and most traditional option. And for many homeowners, it absolutely makes sense. But there are situations where another option — an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) — can be the smarter financial move.

03/20/2026

Refinancing can be a powerful financial tool — but like any major decision, it’s important to understand the full picture before moving forward. Interest rates may grab headlines, but a refinance should never be based on rate alone. The real question is whether it makes sense for your specific situation. Here’s what to consider:

https://trst.in/7YdX4K

Refinancing can be a powerful financial tool — but like any major decision, it’s important to understand the full picture before moving forward. Interest rates may grab headlines, but a refinance should never be based on rate alone. The real question is whether it makes sense for your specific s...