Laurice Pettiford, Mortgage Loan Originator. NMLS# 2098617

05/26/2026

One of the biggest mistakes some homebuyers can make is falling in love with the “starting” 🏡 payment without thinking about the future.
Property taxes go up. Insurance goes up. Life happens 📈
So before buying a home, ask yourself
“Would I still feel comfortable if this payment increased later?”
Because being house proud feels a lot better than being house stressed 💰✨

05/26/2026

Just had a conversation about this and it’s important to remember ❗️Just because you qualify for the payment, doesn’t mean you’ll fell comfortable with it. 🏡
One thing a lot of buyers don’t realize is that we qualify you based on your GROSS income, before taxes come out, so on paper, you qualify for a higher payment than what actually feels comfortable in real life.
Real life doesn’t stop at the mortgage payment👇
You still have Car payments, Insurance, Groceries, Childcare, Credit cards, Gas, Vacations, Emergencies etc.. & you have to commit with that payment every month. The goal shouldn’t just be
❌ “What’s the maximum I can get approved for?”
It should be:
✅ What payment still lets me sleep comfortably at night.
Buying a home is supposed to create stability not financial stress. Look beyond the approval amount and build a payment that fits your lifestyle, goals, and future plans.

04/30/2026

Quick gem for anybody who thinks homeownership is out of reach 🏡 YES you can use SSI income to buy a home.💰and since it’s non-taxable, we are able to gross it up to help you qualify 📈
That means your income can count for more than what you actually receive, which can make a big difference when getting approved. it’s not as out of reach as people think. Don’t count yourself out. Learn the game and play it 💯

Contact me
📱 :919.332.3106
📧 :[email protected]
🌍: Lpettiford.mloboss.com

04/29/2026

Buying a home after Chapter 13 bankruptcy or refinancing while still active is possible but it’s just a couple of 🔑 factors.
The loan will go through a manual underwrite, meaning we take a closer look at your full financial picture for the past 24 months.
You will need:
✅12 months of consistent on-time payments to the BK.
✅Trustee approval to take on new debt (your mortgage)
✅Stable income and improved financial habits
Bankruptcy isn’t the end it’s a fresh start. Some people file bankruptcy and put themselves right back into challenging credit situations which defeats the purpose of filing.  Trust me the economy is not the best right now, but if you can maintain decent credit while still in bankruptcy, try to prioritize that

04/27/2026

✅Getting preapproved for a mortgage? Don’t mess it up!
Here’s what NOT to do:
❌ Don’t open new credit cards
❌ Don’t make big purchases (car, furniture, etc.)
❌ Don’t switch jobs or quit

(if you do end up switching jobs make sure you are full-time, 40 hours a week and you have an offer letter with no contingencies! and you can use that new income to qualify) but definitely don’t quit. Every underwriter does a verification of employment 10 days before closing to confirm that you are still employed.

❌ Don’t miss any bill payments
❌ Don’t deposit large amounts of cash without documentation
Stay consistent, stay smart, and keep your finances steady! 🏡✨.

04/27/2026

Important documents needed in order to qualify for mortgage ✅

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage shows both the seller and the real estate agent that you’re a serious buyer!

👇🏾👇🏾Documents needed❗️

04/17/2026

❗️📌 A seller credit can really help you get a lower interest rate by having the seller buy down your rate permanently. With FHA loans you can get a seller to give up to 6% of the sales price and 3% on conventional, or you can use the funds to cover your closing cost‼️ If you find a home that has been on the market and the seller dropped the price that is the perfect opportunity to get a seller credit and buy your rate down or pay for your closing cost. ✅

04/17/2026

🗣️FYI: All loan officers are not created equally. Some just flat out don’t care and you are just a number to them. If your file isn’t cookie cutter, they do not want to put in any work and will just deny you. I hate to say it but this is especially true with new construction. since after denying you they had 100 other applications come through for that same home. 😬 Get you a loan officer who will fight till the end. If you are under contract and get denied for a loan, before cancelling your contract try another loan officer. Some of us are passionate about what we do 🤷🏽‍♂️

03/25/2026

❗️Real Estate Investors, This One’s for You.
Looking to grow your portfolio without the hassle of traditional income verification? 💼
👉 DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans are designed specifically for investors making financing easier and more flexible.
✨ Why investors love DSCR loans:
✔️ No personal income required
✔️ Qualify based on property cash flow
✔️ Perfect for rental properties
✔️ Cash-out options available (To pay off some debt, most important) 💰❗️✅
✔️ Faster, simpler approval process

Whether you're buying your next investment property or tapping into your equity to scale, DSCR loans can help you move faster and smarter.

Phone📱 :919.332.3106
Email 📧 :[email protected]

03/21/2026

One of my March closings clear to close😮‍💨 This one I had to post to drop some info. ❗️

A lot of people don’t realize Mobile/manufactured homes actually start out with a title, kind of like a vehicle 🚗 But if you want it to be treated like a regular home, that title usually needs to be retired so it becomes real property 🏠
It can make a big difference with financing, value, and resale down the road 💰📈
And one important thing, please make sure the home is on a permanent foundation ✔️ It’s a key step in making everything work the way it should!