Tina Lantz-Novus Home Mortgage

05/29/2025

For the 12th year in a row, real estate has been named the best long-term investment.

And if you’re wondering why it consistently claims the top slot, here’s your answer.

Homeownership is one of the best ways to build wealth in this country.

DM me if you want to talk through some of the programs that can help you buy a home, even today.

05/27/2025

House hunting comes with a lot of new terms – and not all of them are going to make sense to you right away.

But you don’t need to memorize a glossary, you just need an agent. They’ll make sure you understand the essentials, so you feel more confident.

What’s one real estate term you’ve heard and weren’t sure about? Let’s break it down together.

05/22/2025

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) can offer lower upfront payments. That’s why more buyers are giving them a second look these days.

But with an ARM, once the fixed period ends, your rate can change – which means your monthly payment will too. And there’s a chance it goes up. So, you need to be financially prepared for that.

And just in case the 2008 crash comes to mind when you think of ARMs, know this: today’s ARMs are different. Lending standards are tighter now.

If you think an ARM might be right for you, make sure to talk with a lender to understand your options and assess your risk tolerance.

05/20/2025

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

Before buying a home in an HOA community, it’s a good idea to review the rules and fees so you know exactly what’s included, how that fits into your overall budget, and what restrictions may apply.

Would you rather pay an HOA fee for added perks, or skip it and have full control over your property? Let’s talk about what’s best for you.

When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees.

05/15/2025

Now that inventory has grown, buyers are finally getting some breathing room – and potentially, some extras, too.

The percentage of sellers offering concessions is back to typical pre-pandemic levels, and that can mean real savings. From help with closing costs to mortgage rate buy-downs, these perks can make it easier to move forward.

Let’s connect to see what offers might be on the table for you. You could end up getting more than you expected.

If a seller offered to help sweeten the deal, what’s one thing you’d hope they’d include?

05/13/2025

Why do some homes sell in days, while others sit? It’s not luck, it’s strategy.

And the ones that fly off the market have one thing in common: the right agent behind them.

Here’s what a great agent brings to the table:
– A smart pricing strategy
– Tips to make a strong first impression
– Professional marketing and high-quality listing photos
– A listing that highlights what makes your home stand out

Selling doesn’t have to be stressful when you have a strategy that works – and that’s where an agent comes in. Let’s talk.

05/08/2025

Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

A lot of people are feeling nervous about their finances right now. But there’s one reason for you to feel more secure – your investment in something that’s stood the test of time: real estate.

With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual.

05/06/2025

Are you waiting to buy until you’ve saved enough to make a 20% down payment? That’s actually one of the most common homebuying myths.

Unless your specific loan or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put that much down.

The median down payment for first-time buyers is actually just 9% – and depending on your home loan type, you could put down even less than that.

The bottom line? You might be closer to buying a home than you think. Connect with a trusted lender to explore your home loan options and find out.

05/01/2025

A Tale of Two Housing Markets

If you're ready to make a move, or even just thinking about it, let’s connect. That way, you’ll have someone to help you understand our local market and create a game plan that works for you.

What’s one thing you’re curious about when it comes to the market in our area?

For a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers.

04/29/2025

If you’ve been waiting for the housing market to give you a sign that it’s time to restart your home search – it just did.

There are 28.5% more homes for sale right now than there were at this time one year ago. That means you have a lot more options to choose from for your next home.

But at the same time, inventory still hasn’t bounced all the way back to normal. It’s still down over 20% compared to 2017–2019.

That makes this moment the sweet spot to make your move. You’ll have an easier time finding a home you love, and your house should still sell quickly if you work with a pro to price it right.

Want to take advantage of this sweet spot? DM me and let’s make a game plan.

04/24/2025

Mortgage rates have been extra volatile lately. That may have you questioning if you want to move forward with your move right now with all the uncertainty.

But rather than trying to time the market, focus on what you can actually control.

You can’t control what rates are doing or when they’ll come down. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.

To get the best rate possible for today’s market, work on improving your credit score, being intentional with what loan type you choose, and considering what loan term gives you the lowest rate.

If you want to explore what’s possible, connect with a trusted lender.

04/22/2025

What You Can Do When Mortgage Rates Are a Moving Target

You can’t control what’s happening with the economy or mortgage rates, but you can work with a trusted lender and take steps that’ll help you get the best rate possible.

Let’s connect to talk about what you can do today to put yourself in a strong spot for when you’re ready to buy a home.

Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately?