Ricky Rodriguez at Eustis Mortgage LO NMLS #2154001

09/02/2026

Floor plans. Paint colors. Cabinet finishes. You already have plenty to decide.

Your financing can be the simple part.

With a Conventional One-Time Close Construction Loan:

• One loan
• One closing
• One set of closing costs
• Down payments as low as 10%

Purchase a lot and build or build on land you already own. Eligible land equity may count toward your down payment.

Thinking about building a home? Reach out, and let’s get your plans moving.

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

LOANSPLAINING: All-In-One Renovation Loan

Now that we know what an All-In-One Renovation Loan is, what actually counts as an upgrade?

Depending on the program, eligible upgrades may include things like:

• Kitchen + bathroom updates
• Roofing
• HVAC, plumbing + electrical
• Repairs + modernization
• Energy-efficient upgrades
• Accessibility improvements
• Certain exterior + site improvements

That can leave a lot of room for turning the house you found into the house that works for you.

Have a project list in mind? Let’s see what may be eligible.

08/24/2026

Some of the best homes are the ones everyone else overlooked. The location is right. The layout works. It just needs someone who can see what it could be.

A successful renovation starts with a solid plan, including how the work will be financed.

With a renovation loan, the purchase price and renovation costs are combined into one loan. The loan amount is based on the home’s expected value after the renovations are complete.

One closing. One loan. One monthly mortgage payment for the home and the renovation.

Renovation loans aren’t limited to purchases. They can also be used with a refinance, combining the existing mortgage and eligible renovation costs into one new loan.

Found a home with potential? Reach out, and let’s see what’s possible.

08/21/2026

Condo financing rules changed this year. Some things got easier, while others got stricter.

These are a few of the biggest updates, not a complete list of every guideline change.

THE BIGGEST CHANGE

Fannie Mae’s Limited Review and Freddie Mac’s Streamlined Review have been retired. Most attached condo projects with more than 10 units now require a Full Review, regardless of down payment. Projects with 10 or fewer units may qualify for a review waiver.

A Full Review takes a closer look at the HOA’s finances, insurance, structural condition, litigation, and delinquent assessments.

WHAT GOT EASIER

• No 50% owner-occupancy requirement for established projects

• Roofs no longer need replacement-cost coverage

• No inflation guard coverage requirement

WHAT GOT STRICTER

• Minimum reserve allocations increase from 10% to 15% beginning January 4, 2027

• HOA budgets must follow the highest reserve funding amount recommended by a reserve study

• Per-unit master policy deductibles cannot exceed $50,000

What if the condo project doesn’t meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines? You may still have options. Eustis Mortgage offers non-warrantable condo financing for eligible projects that don’t qualify for standard conventional financing.

Buying or listing a condo? Connect with us early so we can review the project and explore available financing options.

08/07/2026

Found an affordable spot with before photo energy and after photo potential? Put your HGTV addiction to use. A renovation loan finances the purchase price and the renovation costs together, in one loan. No separate loan for the fix up, no hunting for a second way to pay for the work.

Curious how a renovation loan works? Reach out and let's walk through it.

07/30/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐕𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬

Most people know the basics of a VA loan, but the qualification flexibility is where VA loans really stand out.

Let’s 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 it.

VA loans may offer more flexibility with both credit and debt-to-income (DTI) ratios. Credit does not always have to be perfect, and unlike many programs with a firm DTI cap, VA loans can also consider residual income, or how much money is left after major monthly expenses are paid.

That means the full financial picture matters, not just the two numbers borrowers tend to worry about most.

Think your credit or DTI may be holding you back? Reach out and let's take a closer look before you count yourself out.

07/27/2026

Closing costs covered. Rate bought down. Certain debts paid off. All in one VA purchase?

That may sound too good to be true, but it can be possible with the right structure.

VA seller concessions may be used toward:

✅ The VA funding fee
✅ Prepaid taxes and insurance
✅ Temporary or permanent rate buydowns
✅ Appliances and other gifts
✅ Certain credit balances or judgments

Now for the part that surprises most people:

Reasonable and customary closing costs do not count toward the VA’s 4% seller concession limit.

So the seller may be able to cover allowable closing costs separately, then contribute up to 4% toward other approved expenses.

In other words, a VA loan may help a veteran get into the home with less cash, lower the payment, and possibly leave closing with less debt.

Drop a 🙋‍♀️ if you thought all seller paid costs counted toward the 4% limit.