Otter Mortgage Team powered by Edge Home Finance

02/11/2026

You may have heard the phrase “brokers are better”. Honestly, when I was working for a retail lender, I was sick of hearing it. But after 18 months back in the broker world I can’t imagine closing loans in any other structure.

There a LOT of reasons why: flexibility, access to more loan programs, and the one that likely matters most to you and your clients – rates and pricing that are very hard to beat.

I try to keep these videos short, but this one is a little longer. Why? Because I want you to understand the underlying economics of lender compensation, and see why brokers are almost always a more affordable option for homebuyers.

If you or anyone you know would like to discuss this in more detail, please let me know. I have had amazing meetings with clients and agents over the last few months going through these options in detail. Once you understand the math behind it all, it’s hard to consider closing loans in any other model.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

27/10/2026

WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO SETTLE FOR TODAY'S MORTGAGE RATES?

Here's something most homebuyers don't realize: There are MULTIPLE ways to secure a lower interest rate, and they aren't all created equal!

With less competition and sellers more willing to negotiate, today's buyers have opportunities we haven't seen in years.

💰 Permanent Rate Buydowns – Lock in a lower rate for the life of your loan.
⏳ Temporary Rate Buydowns – Enjoy lower payments for the first 1–3 years.
📉 Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) – Take advantage of potentially lower rates for the first 5, 7, or 10 years.
🏠 Shorter Loan Terms – Lower rates and potentially HUGE savings on interest over time.

HERE'S THE SECRET: Negotiating seller-paid closing costs to fund a rate buydown can sometimes save you more each month than negotiating a lower purchase price!

But every strategy has pros AND cons. The lowest starting rate isn't always the best deal.

The goal isn't just to get you a lower rate. It's to find the smartest mortgage strategy for YOUR situation.

Swipe through to compare your options, and DM me "LOWER RATE" to see what's possible for your next home purchase!

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

26/10/2026

Before you let the rate make the decision for you… look at what actually changed.

On a $400k house with 5% down, going from last year’s 6.38% to today’s 7.30% changes the principal and interest by about $233/month.

That’s roughly $7.66 a day.

Don’t put your life on hold over a percentage.

Want to see what this looks like on the home you’ve been eyeing?

NOTE: today’s sellers are more willing to provide concessions than they have been in previous years. These concessions can be leverages to provide an interest well below “market” rates. Even today, we are locking clients in with 30 year fixed rates in the high 5%’s 😊

Send me a message and let’s run your numbers.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

25/10/2026

How many buyers in your database have told you:

“I’m waiting for rates to come down.”

Are they gone?

Maybe.

But maybe their situation, the market, available inventory or a seller’s willingness to negotiate has changed.

The answer they gave you months ago does not automatically have to be their answer today.

We’re going to talk about this and more in:

Interest Rates Have Jumped. What Now?
Date: October 27
Time: 1 PM EST | 12 PM CST | 11 AM MST | 10 AM PST
REGISTER HERE: https://ronvaimberg.com/event/interest-rates-have-jumped/
Registration link also in LinkTree bio

When registering, please include my name as the loan officer who invited you.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

24/10/2026

Horror movies would be about twenty minutes long if anyone in them had a good mortgage broker.

You, on the other hand, read captions all the way to the end, which means you would survive every one of these.

Thinking about buying in the next year and haven’t talked to a lender yet? Send me the word ‘SURVIVOR’ and I’ll send you every document I’d ask for on day one, so nothing jumps out at you in underwriting.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

23/10/2026

Before you recommend another price reduction…

A listing sits.

The buyer says the payment is too high.

The immediate answer is usually:

“Reduce the price.”

But that may not always be the best answer.

There may be other ways to make the numbers work while helping protect the seller’s position.

That is one of the conversations we’re going to have during:

Interest Rates Have Jumped. What Now?
Date: October 27
Time: 1 PM EST | 12 PM CST | 11 AM MST | 10 AM PST
REGISTER HERE: https://ronvaimberg.com/event/interest-rates-have-jumped/
Registration link also in LinkTree bio

When registering, please include my name as the loan officer who invited you.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

22/10/2026

The Otter Mortgage Team is a proud sponsor of the The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 147's 20th Annual Barbecue Cook Off.

On the evening of October 23rd, SAL will have an “Anything BBQ” competition, where BBQ teams will get creative and provide a unique BBQ dish, of any kind, using any meat, to be judged by the public. Saturday morning on the 24th, all of the teams will turn in their three dishes (butts, ribs, and chicken) to the Southern BBQ Network sanctioned judges. Judging will be followed by a tasting of the competition BBQ by the public followed by an award ceremony and live entertainment. The location of the event will be at the American Legion Post 147 at 968 Folly Road Charleston, S.C. 29412.

In the last 19 years, SAL have been able to host this event that features talented cooks, great food and music, while raising money for local veterans organizations. Last year, they were able to give over $6,000 to local veteran organizations. The goal this year is to give away over $10,000 to local veteran organizations.

21/10/2026

Seriously, this is such a pet peeve and gives people in the mortgage business a bad name.

If you have been pre-approved, you should know some basic information like rate, payment, and cash to close. Have you discussed different loan types, and the impact of seller paid closing costs on your rate and cash due at closing?

If not, you should get a 2nd opinion. And I know just the guy...

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

20/10/2026

This started as a joke and turned into a pretty accurate way to explain loan options.

The real point: there is no single best mortgage, the same way there is no best coffee. There is the one that fits your budget, your plans and how much surprise you can handle.

The only wrong order is the one you did not know you were placing. If you have only ever seen one quote, you have not really ordered yet.

Tell me your coffee order in the comments and I will tell you which loan you would probably love.

Todd Sevier | Otter Mortgage Team | Charleston SC
Director of Joy

16/10/2026