Burney Ashley Vice President Mortgage Banker NMLS #1094707

09/18/2026

If you're a Realtor, think about the buyer you talked to six months ago who wasn't quite ready. Credit wasn't there. History was thin. You told them to work on it and circle back.

I'd call them this week.

Here's why. For as long as I've been doing this, conventional approvals have run through one credit model. And a score is useful, but it doesn't always tell the whole story of how someone handles their money.

That just changed. This month, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac opened up a newer model called VantageScore 4.0 to every approved lender. Instead of a snapshot, it looks at trends over time. And it can score people with shorter credit histories that the older model couldn't work with.

Now, it's not a magic score. It doesn't erase anything, it doesn't guarantee an approval, and a lender still has to choose to use it. What it is, is a second way to look at a file.

For the buyer who's been paying things down for a year, or the young professional who just doesn't have much history yet, a second look can matter.

Some of those buyers didn't need more time. They needed a different conversation. If you've got someone like that, send them my way and we'll take a fresh look.

Ashley Mortgage Team | Pinnacle Mortgage Corp.

Rosemarie Ashley, NMLS #1112113 | Burney Ashley, NMLS #1094707

586-585-2626

Mortgage lending is subject to credit approval and applicable program guidelines.

09/04/2026

Before everyone disappears into one last long summer weekend, all of us at The Ashley Team want to wish you a very Happy Labor Day.

Whether you’re headed to the lake, firing up the grill, spending time with family and friends — or doing absolutely nothing for a few days — we hope you enjoy it.

And because real estate doesn’t always take holiday weekends off, one small reminder:
The Ashley Team is here if you need us.

Have a safe, relaxing and well-deserved weekend.
— Burney Ashley & The Ashley Team
Pinnacle Mortgage Corporation

09/03/2026

After you apply for a mortgage most people know the conventional wisdom: do not make any changes to your financial situation until you close.

But sometimes conventional wisdom does not apply.

Here is a real story.

I had been working with a client for about a month. We had structured a loan that was going to work for her situation. It was a temporary solution but it was going to get her into the next chapter of her life.

Then she called me one day. A company wanted to talk to her about a job opportunity. I told her absolutely go talk to them.

She called back. They wanted to hire her. The pay was great. It would be fantastic for her life. But she said she knew she could not do anything until she closed on the mortgage.

I told her: well, maybe not.

I took a look at the offer letter. I made sure it had all the information I thought the underwriter would need. I sent it in with a full explanation of the situation and how this new income would greatly improve her financial circumstances.

The underwriter said yes.

We closed on a loan using income from a job she was starting in two weeks.

That is not something everyone can pull off. It requires the right relationship with the right underwriter, the right documentation, and knowing exactly how to present the situation. This is not a do it yourself situation.

But it is a reminder that conventional wisdom does not always apply. And a lender who knows how to navigate the nuance can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

If you have a situation that feels complicated give me a call. 586-419-3918.

09/01/2026

The experts quoted in this article say we may NOT be heading toward another 2008.

Not a crash.

A correction.

And that distinction could cost buyers who keep sitting on the sidelines waiting for home prices to collapse.

So I want to know what YOU think:

🏠 CRASH?
📉 CORRECTION?
🚀 Or are buyers about to realize they waited too long?

Read the article — then give me your prediction in the comments.

https://www.thestreet.com/real-estate/when-will-housing-market-crash-again-predictions

Experts say today's market lacks some of the warning signs of the 2008 housing crash.

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

A real conversation worth sharing because it happens more than most people realize.

I just got off the phone with a buyer who was genuinely excited. She found a house within her budget. Taxes were low. The payment was affordable. The cash to close was manageable. Everything lined up and she was ready to move forward.

Then her realtor called me and asked if I was going to do the loan or if I was going to change the terms a week before closing. And that question told me something was off.

So I started digging into the property details. What turned up was that it was a manufactured home that had been moved onto the lot and the lot was deeded as land rather than improved property. That combination creates serious financing challenges that most lenders would not catch until well into the process.

The realtor called her and delivered the news. This is not a property we can move forward on.

I called her back shortly after. She was bummed. Understandably. She said she had been really excited about this one.

I said I hear you. But here is what actually happened today. By your realtor calling me early and me checking the property details with my team before you spent a dollar, we just saved you close to $1,000 in inspection and appraisal fees you would not get back.

You are not out anything. Keep looking. The right home is out there and when you find it we will be ready.

That is what the right team does. We catch the problems before they cost you.

08/21/2026

Finding a home you love is exciting.

Making sure it still fits your life five years from now is even more important.

Before you fall in love with the kitchen, the paint colors, or the backyard, ask yourself:

🏡 Does this home fit the way you live today?

🏡 Will it still work for your future plans?

🏡 Do you have a trusted team helping you make informed decisions?

The best homebuying decisions happen when emotion and preparation work together.

Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, or investing in Metro Detroit, having a financing strategy before you shop can make the process much smoother.

If you're wondering what your options look like in today's market, let's talk.

Ashley Mortgage Team
Pinnacle Mortgage Corp.
NMLS #1323739

08/21/2026

Technology has made getting a mortgage faster than ever.

📱 Applications can be completed online.
💻 Documents can be uploaded securely from anywhere.
🏡 Information is available at your fingertips.

But when you're making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, technology can't replace having the right people in your corner.

At the Ashley Mortgage Team, we believe great mortgage experiences are built on communication, guidance, and relationships. Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, investing, or exploring refinance options, having a trusted team to answer questions and help you evaluate your choices can make all the difference.

We serve clients throughout Michigan with the personal attention they deserve—because you're more than a loan file. You're a family, a future homeowner, an investor, or someone working toward an important goal.

✨ Technology helps streamline the process. Relationships help make the process successful.

Let's talk about your goals.

📞 Rosemarie and Burney Ashley | Ashley Mortgage Team
📍 Serving Metro Detroit and communities throughout Michigan
📧 Message us here or call 586-585-2626 to discuss your options.

Pinnacle Mortgage Corp. NMLS #1323739 | Equal Housing Opportunity

07/28/2026

🏡 Metro Detroit Realtors—has your lender ever told a buyer’s spouse or partner, “We may have to leave you off the loan,” because they had no credit score?

That conversation may have just changed.

If one borrower has a credit score and AUS approves the conventional loan, the no-score spouse or partner may still be included.

Would this have helped one of your past clients? Tell me below—or comment TOGETHER and The Ashley Team will check your current scenario.

Rosemarie Ashley NMLS #1112113

07/28/2026

💡 Did you know you could be paying thousands extra every year by using credit cards, car loans, or personal loans — instead of tapping into your home’s equity?

Even if your mortgage interest rate is lower than today’s, a cash-out refinance can help you save hundreds, even over $1,000 a month by consolidating debt or financing life’s big expenses at a much lower cost.

I always give honest advice — sometimes refinancing isn’t the right move. But if it could help you, you’ll be glad you called. Let’s run the numbers together and see what’s possible.

📞 Call me at 586-419-3918 today.