Tom Gibbons Mortgage Loan Officer

06/10/2026

Nobody teaches you this stuff until it's too late.

Most homeowners with a mortgage assume their family is covered when they die. The house will just pass to them. Someone will figure it out.
That is not how it works.

The loan still exists. Payments still need to be made. And if there is no legal plan in place, probate court gets involved, the process can drag on for months or years, and even close families can end up in conflict over a home they all love.

A will helps, but most people do not realize a will still goes through probate.

A properly funded living trust avoids it entirely.
The key word is funded. We see it all the time, people set up a trust and never actually put the house in it. That is like buying a safe and leaving your valuables on the kitchen counter.

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It is for every homeowner who wants to protect their family and the home they worked for.

Save this post and share it with someone who owns a home and does not have a plan yet. It might be the most important thing they read this year.

*We are not attorneys or tax professionals. This content is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified estate planning attorney and tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

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06/08/2026

Everyone is watching mortgage rates. But most buyers are focused on the wrong thing.

The rate matters. It absolutely does. But it is one variable in an equation with a lot of moving parts.

Here is the part most people miss: waiting for rates to drop is not free. Every month you wait, rents keep going. Prices can keep moving. The equity you could be building keeps going to someone else.

There is a reason real estate professionals have been saying "date the rate, marry the house" for the last two years. You can refinance a rate. You cannot refinance the purchase price you missed.

What you actually can control: your credit score (which directly affects your rate), your down payment (larger down often means better rate), your loan type (FHA, conventional, VA, USDA each have different rate structures), and your lender (not all lenders offer the same rates).

Rates are a piece of the puzzle. Strategy is the puzzle.

What's your biggest question about rates right now? Drop it in the comments.

mortgagerates | homebuying | realestate | mortgagetips | interestrates | refinance | housingtips
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06/06/2026

Nobody taught you how to buy a home.

There's no class for this. No manual. And somehow everyone around you seems to just know.

So here are the questions we get asked most, from people who were afraid to look like they didn't know. You're not alone, and there are no bad questions here.

No 20% down required. No perfect credit required. No prior homebuying experience required.

Just the right information, the right team, and the willingness to take one step at a time.

Save this post. And if you have a question that isn't in here, drop it in the comments or send us a message.

Follow for more homebuyer tips!

mortgageFAQ | firsttimehomebuyer | homebuying | realestate | mortgagetips | downpayment | creditscoreadvice

06/05/2026

The Brokers Open at 628 Regatta Way was a great reminder of why so many people are choosing to call Bradenton, Florida home.
As a mortgage professional, I love connecting with local real estate professionals and staying on top of what's happening in our market so I can better serve my clients.
Thinking about buying a home in Florida? Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, relocating, purchasing a second home, or exploring retirement options, I'm always happy to be a resource.

06/04/2026

A quarter-million dollars used to sound like you'd officially made it.

Now, families in states like California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Connecticut, and Virginia may need over $250,000 a year just to live comfortably as a family of four.

Not luxury. Not private chefs and yachts.
Just comfortable.

A home. Groceries. Childcare. Healthcare. Insurance. Transportation. Some savings. A little breathing room.

That's why so many families are starting to rethink what they want their money to actually do for their life.

For some people, that means relocating to a more affordable area. For others, it means refinancing debt, lowering monthly expenses, or using home equity more strategically. For some, it means finally buying in a market where homeownership still feels realistic.

The conversation around money has changed.

A lot of people still hear "$250,000" and picture wealth. But in many places today, that number is starting to mean stability more than status.

We help families explore mortgage and financing options in almost every state across the country, and one thing is becoming very clear: people are no longer just chasing bigger incomes. They're chasing a better quality of life.

If you could improve your financial breathing room, would you stay where you are, or would you make a move?

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

Home prices have more than doubled in the last decade.

And yet, people are still buying. Not because it's easy. Because waiting has its own cost.

Every year you wait, the market doesn't pause for you. Rents keep climbing. Equity keeps building for someone else. And the "right time" keeps moving.

The families who bought in 2015 when "prices were too high" are now sitting on six-figure equity gains.

There is no perfect time. There is only the time when you're prepared.

We help buyers get prepared. The rate. The loan type. The down payment strategy. The pre-approval that puts you ahead of buyers who never showed up ready.

What year do you think you'll look back on as the year you should have started?

Source: U.S. Census Bureau & U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Median Sales Price of Houses Sold (MSPUS), Q1 2026: $403,200. National Association of Realtors.

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06/03/2026

How to Buy a Home in Southwest Florida (2026) | Sarasota, Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch Guide

Thinking about buying a home in Southwest Florida? In this complete homebuyer seminar, Mortgage Loan Officer Tom Gibbons with PRMG breaks down everything you need to know about buying a home in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch—one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the United States. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, relocating to Florida, or looking to upgrade your home, this video will walk you through the entire process step by step. What You’ll Learn in This Video:
✔ Why so many people are moving to Southwest Florida
✔ Sarasota vs Bradenton vs Lakewood Ranch real estate markets
✔ How to get pre-approved for a mortgage
✔ FHA, VA, Conventional & other loan programs explained
✔ How to make a strong offer in a competitive market
✔ Florida-specific inspections & insurance requirements
✔ Closing costs and what to expect at closing
✔ Step-by-step home buying timeline from start to keys Serving Buyers in:
•Sarasota, FL
•Bradenton, FL
•Lakewood Ranch, FL
•Manatee County
•Sarasota County
•Southwest Florida real estate market
Important Topics Covered:
• First-time home buyer Florida
• How to buy a house in Florida
• Mortgage pre-approval process
• Florida real estate tips 2026
• VA loan Florida
• FHA loan requirements
• Closing costs explained
Work with Tom Gibbons - If you're thinking about buying a home in Southwest Florida, the first step is getting a personalized mortgage plan. Call or Text: 401-523-5947 Email: [email protected] NMLS #1678300

06/01/2026

Homeownership feels impossible right now.

We hear it all the time. And honestly? We get it.

Rates feel high. Prices feel higher. The process feels like it was designed for someone else. And nobody ever sat you down and explained how any of it actually works.

But here is what we also see every single day: people who said ""I don't think I can do this"" holding their keys.

The down payment felt out of reach, until they found out assistance programs offer an average of $17,000 to eligible buyers and loans exist for as little as 3% down. The barrier was smaller than it felt.

The process felt overwhelming, because nobody taught them this. That is not their fault. But one conversation changed everything.

Your turn isn't a matter of if. It's when.

Save this for the moment you're ready, or send it to someone who needs to hear it today.

05/30/2026

Everyone talks about closing day like it’s stressful.
But most buyers are just walking in not knowing what to expect.

We’ve worked with buyers who thought it would be overwhelming, confusing, or rushed… when in reality, it’s a guided process with a clear finish line.

Closing day doesn’t have to feel chaotic. It starts with knowing what’s coming.

Here’s what actually happens:

1️⃣ Final walkthrough to make sure the home is in the right condition
2️⃣ Signing your loan documents (yes, there are a lot 😅)
3️⃣ Paying your closing costs
4️⃣ Getting the keys once everything is recorded

The biggest mistake? Rushing through it instead of asking questions.

Buying a home isn’t just a transaction, it’s a milestone.

If closing day is coming up, this is your reminder to walk in confident and prepared.

Save this so you know exactly what to expect 🔑