Fairway Financial Services, Inc.

10/15/2026

Getting the keys is just the beginning. Your first month as a homeowner is the perfect time to establish good habits: confirm your first mortgage payment date, set up utilities, tackle immediate maintenance, and locate essentials like your water shutoff, electrical panel and HVAC filters.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

10/09/2026

Though it is best to wait, we understand that sometimes emergencies come up. If they do, please let your loan officer know right away so they can help to advise if the loan is still possible with the financial change, and/or what can be done to help keep the process moving forward. Waiting to disclose the information increases the likelihood of issues with closing.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

10/05/2026

Getting preapproved is an important first step in the homebuying process because it gives you a clearer picture of your budget before you start house hunting. We'll review your income, credit, debts, and financial history to help determine how much you may qualify to borrow. A preapproval can also strengthen your offer by showing sellers you're a serious buyer with financing already underway. Plus, it can help make the closing process smoother once you find the right home.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

10/01/2026

09/25/2026

Being self-employed doesn’t prevent you from buying a home, but the mortgage process may require additional preparation. Lenders typically review tax returns, business income, bank statements, and overall income consistency to evaluate qualifying income. Because write-offs can sometimes reduce reported income, planning ahead becomes especially important for self-employed buyers.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

09/22/2026

In a unanimous vote, the Fed raised its benchmark rate by 0.25% to a target range of 3.75%–4%, citing elevated inflation. The Fed Funds Rate is the overnight borrowing rate for banks and is not the same as mortgage rates. The Fed’s latest projections also showed that 16 of 18 officials expect at least one more quarter-point hike this year; Chair Kevin Warsh did not submit a projection.

A reminder is that mortgage rates are not directly tied to these changes. Typically, the rate hikes are already priced in by time the meeting is held, but unexpected news can cause rates to move differently.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

09/17/2026

People sometimes forget to consider expenses beyond the principal & interest portion of the payment. All of these things will impact your monthly budget, so consider the full cost of owning a home in order to set a realistic budget and avoid surprises.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

09/11/2026

A common misconception is that you need perfect credit to buy a home. The reality? Different loan programs have different credit requirements, and your credit score is just one piece of the puzzle. Working to improve your credit is always recommended to help you get better terms, but many people are able to qualify while it is still a work in progress.

An Equal Housing Lender - NMLS #328279

09/07/2026

Here's hoping your labor day view looks something like this and you are able to enjoy rest today!

09/03/2026

Building healthy credit habits today can put you in a better position for future opportunities. One other thing to keep in mind outside of these tips is that while paying down or off balances can improve your score, closing an account can have a negative impact, so a credit card with a $0 balance that is still open will typically yield a better result than one that is closed. If you are looking to improve you scores, reach out to one of our loan officers for some guidance!

An Equal Housing - NMLS #328279