Candace Blackburn, Florida Mortgage Lender

09/06/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Candace Blackburn by Jan A - Candace went above and beyond to make sure my buyer was well informed, she was attentive and responsive to everyone's many questions along the way and worked hard to make sure my buyer made it to the closing table successfully while overcoming challenges along the way. Great experience with Candace and Evergreen Home Loan team! Buyers are very happy! Thank you!

Click to see all 24 reviews of Candace Blackburn, Loan Officer | NMLS # 2017602

09/02/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Candace Blackburn by Paul H

Click to see all 23 reviews of Candace Blackburn, Loan Officer | NMLS # 2017602

09/02/2026

“I’m just going to wait until rates come back down.”

Okay…but what exactly are we waiting for? 😂

Are mortgage rates pretty right now? No.

Do I wish they were lower? Absolutely.

But if you're waiting for 2.5% mortgage rates again, we may have a bigger problem…because something pretty ugly would probably have to be happening in the economy to get us back there.

So instead of waiting for the mortgage-rate fairy, let's get creative.
Say you find a home for $400,000 and put 3.5% down with FHA.
Your regular rate is 6.75%, but we negotiate enough seller credit to pay for a 2/1 temporary buydown.

Here's what happens:

RateApprox. P&I
Year 1
4.75%
$2,049/mo.

Year 2
5.75%
$2,292/mo.

Year 3+
6.75%
$2,547/mo.

That's approximately $499/month less in Year 1 and $255/month less in Year 2.

The estimated cost of the 2/1 buydown is about $9,050 — which is why we ask the SELLER to pay for it.

And if rates improve during those first couple of years? We look at refinancing.

Could rates go down? Of course.

Could home prices go up while you're sitting on the sidelines waiting? Also yes.

The goal isn't to magically make today's market look like 2021.
The goal is to figure out how to make today's market work for you.

That's what a good lender and Realtor should be helping you do.

Example is for illustration only. P&I shown above does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA or monthly FHA mortgage insurance. Actual rates, costs and qualification vary.

08/31/2026

With the Security Plus Seller Guarantee®, your offer isn't just a sweet talk-it comes backed with real buying power and a $5,000 guarantee to the seller. Because in a competitive market, a strong offer is way more attractive than just good intentions. Let's make sellers fall head over heels for yours!

08/28/2026

2008 comparisons miss one major number: homeowner equity.

Back then, equity and mortgage debt were nearly even. Today, homeowners hold $34.9 trillion in equity compared with $14.4 trillion in mortgage debt. That gap gives many homeowners a meaningful cushion and more options if selling becomes necessary.

If crash fears have kept you waiting, let's look at what's happening in our local market and talk through what a move could mean for you.

08/20/2026

Before summer slips away, let's see what your next home is calling for. The first three words you find are officially your future-home priorities.

Comment yours below and see how your list compares with everyone else's. Bonus points if one of them is completely unexpected.

08/19/2026

🏡 **Buying vs. Renting... Do the Math.**

Let's say you're renting a home for **$2,300/month**.

In five years, you've paid approximately **$138,000** in rent.

At the end of those five years...
💸 You own **nothing**.

Now let's look at buying.

Yes, homeowners pay interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance. But here's what most people never consider:

✅ **Every mortgage payment includes principal**, which builds equity over time.

✅ **Home values don't have to skyrocket for you to build wealth.** Even modest appreciation can increase your equity, although appreciation isn't guaranteed.

✅ **Your payment becomes more predictable.** With a fixed-rate mortgage, your principal and interest payment stays the same for 30 years. Rent, on the other hand, can increase every time your lease renews.

✅ **Waiting can cost more than buying.** If home prices rise while you're saving for a larger down payment, the house you want may become even more expensive. If rates decline later, homeowners may have the opportunity to refinance, but you can't go back and buy yesterday's home at yesterday's price.

✅ **Equity creates options.** It can help fund renovations, pay for college, consolidate higher-interest debt, invest in another property, or provide a financial cushion later in life.

The question isn't just:

**"Can I afford to buy?"**

It's also:

**"What is it costing me to wait?"**

If you're wondering whether buying or renting makes more financial sense, send me the address of a home you're interested in—or tell me what you're paying in rent—and I'll put together a side-by-side comparison based on **your** situation.

08/18/2026

The typical down payment fell to about $23,400 in early 2026, down 19% from the year before.

Buyers may be benefiting from a more balanced market, lower-down-payment loan options, and assistance programs that are still widely overlooked. In fact, many buyers who qualify for help never use it.

If saving has been the biggest thing holding you back, send me a message. Let's see what options may be available to you.

08/17/2026

Late-summer listings can bring serious competition, so every detail of your offer matters. Security Plus Seller Guarantee® helps strengthen buyer credibility and gives sellers added confidence in the financing behind the offer. Planning one last move before fall? Let's make sure your offer is ready to compete.

08/12/2026

🏡 **Did You Know a HELOC Can Be Your FIRST Mortgage?** 💰

Most people think of a HELOC as a second mortgage—but a **HELOC can also be in first-lien position**.

How can that work?

✅ Your home is **free and clear**, and the HELOC becomes the first lien

OR

✅ A new HELOC **pays off your existing mortgage** and takes first-lien position

Why would someone consider it?

💰 Access your home equity when you need it
🔄 Borrow, repay and potentially borrow again during the draw period
🏠 One lien instead of a traditional mortgage + second HELOC
🔨 Great flexibility for renovations or other large expenses
💵 Interest-only payment options may be available during the draw period

**But there is a tradeoff:** most HELOCs have **variable interest rates**, so your rate and payment can change over time.

A first-lien HELOC isn't right for everyone—but for the right homeowner, it can be a powerful and flexible financing option.

📲 **Want to know if a first-position HELOC makes sense for your situation? Message me and let's run the numbers.**

*Loan programs, rates, terms, credit requirements, equity requirements and availability vary. Subject to qualification and lender guidelines.*