Matt Ballmaier

Matt Ballmaier Serving my clients and community on their journey to building wealth through homeownership

The down payment isn't the only check you'll write.Here are the 5 costs every buyer needs to plan for — most people find...
06/23/2026

The down payment isn't the only check you'll write.
Here are the 5 costs every buyer needs to plan for — most people find out about half of these at the closing table, which is way too late.
Save this for the planning stage.

If your "pre-approval" took 5 minutes and didn't ask for a single document — it's not a pre-approval.Here's the differen...
06/22/2026

If your "pre-approval" took 5 minutes and didn't ask for a single document — it's not a pre-approval.
Here's the difference, and why it matters the second you write an offer.

06/19/2026

FHA vs Conventional? Let's talk about it, head over to my youtube channel Matt Talks Mortgage for more info on this.

06/18/2026

Most buyers don’t get declined because they can’t afford a home.

They get declined because, on paper, their file starts to look risky.

And that’s the part nobody really explains.

You could have good income, a solid down payment, and every intention of buying responsibly, but if your spending, credit usage, or new debt tells a different story, the lender is going to notice.

That car loan you opened right before applying.

The credit cards you kept high because “you’ll pay them down soon.”

The random large purchases in the months before pre-approval.

The online calculator that made you feel way more confident than it should have.

It all matters.

Banks don’t lend based on how excited you are to buy.

They lend based on patterns, consistency, and risk.

So before you fall in love with the house, let’s make sure the numbers are working behind the scenes.

Comment GUIDE” if you want to understand what lenders look at before you start house hunting.

06/17/2026

This one’s for the couples who swear they know each other better than anyone.

I’m giving you 3 bedroom styles…

and your only job is to guess which one your partner would choose first.

Would they go for:

the cozy and calm bedroom
the bright and airy bedroom
or the bold and dramatic bedroom?

Because let’s be honest…

when you’re buying a home together, it’s not just about the rate, the payment, or the pre-approval.

It’s also about the little moments where you both start picturing your life there.

Comment your guess first, then send this to your partner and see if you actually got it right.

And if buying together is on your mind this year, message me “START” and I’ll help you understand what your next mortgage step should be.

Two buyers, same loan amount, different payments. How?Because the loan is only ONE piece of your payment. Here's everyth...
06/16/2026

Two buyers, same loan amount, different payments. How?
Because the loan is only ONE piece of your payment. Here's everything else baked in 👇
Save this before you compare quotes.

Every lender in America is checking the same 3 things. Once you know what they are, mortgage approval stops feeling like...
06/15/2026

Every lender in America is checking the same 3 things. Once you know what they are, mortgage approval stops feeling like a guessing game.
Save this before you apply anywhere.

06/12/2026

Buying a home gets stressful when you’re building your plan around half-truths.

Here’s what I mean:

Waiting for rates to drop might help your payment, but it can also bring more buyers back into the market.

Online calculators are helpful, but they don’t see your full financial picture.

And being pre-approved is great, but your approval still needs to be protected until closing.

That’s why the mortgage conversation should happen before you fall in love with the house.

Not after.

A little clarity early can save you from a lot of surprises later.

Save this if buying a home is on your radar this year.

06/11/2026

Honestly? This is a hard one 😅

$18,000 every month for life is tempting.
$1,500 every day tax free sounds real nice.
And $20 million at age 60 is the long-game play.

Are you choosing the paid-off dream home…
or taking the cash?

Drop your pick below

06/10/2026

A $500K new build can sometimes have a lower monthly payment than a $450K resale.

Here’s the math:

-> Option 1: Resale Home

Purchase price: $450,000
Interest rate: 6.25%
Estimated principal + interest: $2,771/month

-> Option 2: New Build

Purchase price: $500,000
Builder incentive rate: 4.99%
Estimated principal + interest: $2,681/month

So even though the new build costs $50,000 more…

The estimated monthly principal + interest payment is about $90 less per month.

Why?

Because the interest rate matters.

A lower builder-paid rate can sometimes make a higher-priced home feel more affordable monthly than a lower-priced resale home with a higher rate.

But here’s what buyers need to remember:

You still have to compare:

Property taxes
Home insurance
HOA fees
PMI
Closing costs
Builder fees
How long the lower rate actually lasts

The point is not that every new build is cheaper.

The point is this:

Do not compare homes by price alone. Compare the full monthly payment.

Save this for later. Send it to someone who needs to see this!

Address

3608 Preston Road Suite 200
Plano, TX
75093

Telephone

+19495258202

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