Stephen Baker, Home Lending Officer

10/16/2026

“If you don’t want to buy, I’ll buy the house and rent it to you.” 😂

That’s what one of my real estate investor clients told me. And honestly? It made me laugh because there’s a bigger point behind it.

He’s finding better deals right now than he was earlier this year. Not always because the price is lower, but because sellers are more willing to negotiate, pay closing costs, and take care of inspection items.

The price of the house is only part of the deal.

Here’s the honest truth: I can’t tell you that right now is the perfect time for EVERYONE to buy. And I’m not going to pretend that interest rates, home prices, or monthly payments don’t matter.

But I also don’t think waiting for the perfect market is always the winning strategy.

If you’re curious what that looks like for you, let’s talk. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about your options.

10/14/2026

🚨 Paying off debt can be a good thing. Closing that credit card? Not always.

I had a customer whose credit score dropped 30 points after paying off and closing a credit card. That drop meant they no longer qualified for the loan program we had originally started with.

They were trying to do the responsible thing… and it ended up complicating their mortgage. 😬

Your credit score can be affected by more than just whether you pay your bills on time.

Thinking about buying a house? Before you make a big move with your credit, call me first. Let’s make sure your good intentions don’t accidentally turn into a mortgage headache!

10/08/2026

Mortgage rates aren’t the only thing that matters when you buy a home.

In a softening market, buyers may have more leverage to negotiate price, closing costs, repairs, or even a rate buydown.

And remember: you can refinance a mortgage later.

You can’t go back and renegotiate the price you paid for the house.

Sometimes the opportunity isn’t the rate. It’s the deal you can negotiate.

10/08/2026

Rates over 7% don’t automatically mean it’s a bad time to buy.

The better question is: Does buying make sense for YOU right now?

If you can afford the payment, love the house, and plan to stay awhile, buying at today’s rate doesn’t make you stupid.

It makes you a buyer in today’s market.

And if rates change later… we’ll talk about it then. 😉

10/05/2026

Paying off debt is usually a good thing… but when you’re planning to buy a home, timing matters.

Using all your cash to pay off debt might not always be the smartest move.

Before you make a big financial move, call me first. Let’s look at the whole picture and figure out what makes the most sense for you.

10/02/2026

Higher rates aren’t exactly what buyers want… but they can change the game.

Fewer buyers can mean less competition, fewer bidding wars, and more room to negotiate.

Sometimes the silver lining is having a little more leverage. 🏠

10/02/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Stephen Baker by Andrea J - Stephen is an exceptionally kind, personable, intelligent person. He communicates well and works hard to make home buying less stressful for the buyer. And he does what he can to make the numbers work. Plus he has Hilary who works equally hard and is great at keeping the ball rolling! Hilary is also amazing and kind. They are a fabulous team!

Click to see all 27 reviews of Guild Mortgage - Stephen Baker, Senior Loan Officer | NMLS # 432353

10/01/2026

$300 a month.

That’s the approximate difference a 1% rate increase can make on a $450,000 mortgage.

So I’m curious…

Would $300/month change your decision to buy, or would you keep moving forward?

There’s no right answer. It’s about what works for your budget.

Want to see what the numbers look like for you?

DM me “300” and let’s talk.