Mortgage Biz With Biz: Elizabeth Salathe, Mortgage Broker NMLS# 1138326

04/20/2026

Favorite Mortgage Broker PSA: VA changes for appraisals effective 5/1/2026!

Effective for appraisals ordered on or after May 1, 2026, the VA has revised its Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs):

• Detached improvements no longer must meet MPRs or be removed from a property if they present a health or safety hazard my favorite.
• Lead-Based Paint (Properties built in 1978 or later): Defective paint repair is no longer required on exterior surfaces. Defective paint on a dwelling built in 1978 or later is now normally considered cosmetic. (my 2nd favorite). 😊
• Lead-Based Paint (Properties built before 1978): The requirement to remediate defective lead-based paint still applies to the main dwelling, but the phrase "or related improvements" was removed because detached improvements no longer need to meet MPR standards.
• Radon Gas: VA has removed the radon gas requirements entirely, including the VA testing recommendation and the builder certification for radon-resistant construction techniques.
• Heating: VA no longer requires that the Notice of Value (NOV) be conditioned for a Veteran's written acknowledgement and proof of an Oxygen Depletion Sensor for non-vented heaters.
• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH): SAH no longer requires additional MPRs

The remaining VA MPRs for the main dwelling focus on ensuring the property is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary:

• Heating: Heating must be permanently installed and maintain a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit in areas with plumbing.
• Lead-Based Paint (Properties built before 1978): The presence of lead-based paint is presumed, and any defective lead-based paint on the dwelling is considered a safety hazard that must be remediated. Economic feasibility is not an acceptable reason to waive a repair involving lead-based paint
• Wood-Destroying Insects: The property must be inspected by a qualified pest control operator, and any reported infestation or structural damage affecting the value of the property must be corrected to VA's satisfaction prior to loan settlement
• Water and Sewage: There must be evidence from a local health authority (or other VA-authorized source) that individual water supply and/or sewage disposal systems are acceptable.
• Manufactured Homes: Manufactured homes must meet VA MPR Minimum Property Requirement and must be permanently affixed to a foundation conforming to the 'Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing Standards.

Note: Appraisers must recommend repairs, rather than inspections, for any conditions that do not appear to meet MPRs. Let me know if I can help you 😊

03/13/2026

Favorite Mortgage Broker PSA:

Rates have taken a dramatic turn, yes. (Alas - Oil. I've got the Strait of Hormuz livestream up and I'm watching it as close as I'm watching the markets these days.)

That being said.. I've locked three refis *this week* and I am expecting a few more contracts before Monday...

If you were REALLY close to refinancing... you may want to have me price it out sooner than later... I can't help but be cliche and point out that this is "the cost of waiting" and "a bird in hand is better than two in the bush".

Here, let me pull it out to give y'all more perspective.. today we are literally HOVERING around the 200 day moving average. Markets opened positive (again, holding onto hope that the moving of oil already on ships would help or whatever the news was that's already changed...) We fell before noon and are now barely hanging on to that thin blue line. If we really *do* break beneath that... you can see that it's a long way down.

***HOWEVER, it's only "a long way down" because rates dropped so much from their peaks in 2023/2024 that we've been relatively flat since Sept 2025. Today, they are really only like .25% higher off the lowest lows of 2026...***

So the window isn't SHUT; it's closing!

And - since I'm a broker... if we see recovery, we can always bust the lock and reload with a new one all while transferring the appraisal/title work etc. So, if that happened, we wouldn't be starting from scratch and could close quick.

All we can do is focus on what we can control while being mindful of all this ish going on around us that we can't! And, no one can perfectly time the markets y'all... The right time is when it's right for YOUR family.

985-320-0431 text me if you want me to price a scenario for you. No pressure - I'm here and happy to help!

03/11/2026

CPI came in at the coolest levels since 2021 & The Markets didn't even FLINCH! https://mortgage-biz-with-biz.dubb.com/v/AQUQ5c

All eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz...

03/09/2026

Women aren't waiting for permission... 👀 Reach out if you'd like to join their numbers!

985-320-0431 | [email protected]

03/05/2026

Ever wonder why the APR is so low on the JUNK MAIL you're getting???

They are not *exactly* lying... And, it is another reason why friends don't let friends use Joe Blow Mortgage Pro who likes to kill trees.

03/04/2026

What's up with mortgage rates today, after the blood bath that was Monday March 3rd, 2026? https://mortgage-biz-with-biz.dubb.com/v/fZCSkU

03/03/2026

https://mortgage-biz-with-biz.dubb.com/v/8nWPxi

02/26/2026

Wooo hooo! Another happy homeowner in 2026! Who's next?

Meet Kelcey! Kelcey is a first time home buyer and Veteran who worked with our agent Alexis Wheat, The Major Team at KW ! They found the perfect home in Longview and knocked it out of the park! Our preferred Lender, Mortgage Biz With Biz: Elizabeth Salathe, Mortgage Broker NMLS # 1138326 handled the financing and Alexis helped her client navigate all of the difficulties in this deal from multiple offers, lender required repairs, and even appraisers reports coming back flawed!

Kelcey, we are so honored you trusted our team with such a big milestone. Alexis, we missed you at closing but do not worry, we are definitely celebrating soon 💗

Thinking about buying your first home? We would love to guide you through it. Call or text 903-307-2884 and let’s get you home.

12/17/2025

New 5.0-star Review: "Liz was an absolute pleasure to do business with, going above and beyond to make sure our buying experience was smooth as glass."

12/12/2025

New 5.0-star Review: "Biz and BB were so amazing during my home buying process. They made sure that I was well educated on the process, rates, and things to consider. When I went to sign my final paperwork it was a breeze because they had already explained everything to me to a tee!! They made this very stress free."