Josh Rakiey - Vice President, Mortgage Lending

10/13/2026

10/08/2026

🏡💳 YOUR CREDIT SCORE COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR NEXT HOME! 🔑

Thinking about buying a home but worried your credit score isn’t where it needs to be?

You may be closer to homeownership than you think!

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that you need PERFECT credit to qualify for a mortgage. You don’t!

Your credit score plays an important role in the mortgage process. It can influence your loan options, interest rate, and overall borrowing costs.

📊 WHAT MAKES UP YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

While scoring models vary, these are some of the biggest factors:

✅ Payment History: Are you making payments on time?

✅ Credit Utilization: How much of your available credit are you using?

✅ Length of Credit History: How long have your accounts been established?

✅ Credit Mix: Do you have experience managing different types of credit?

✅ New Credit: Have you recently applied for multiple new accounts?

💡 6 WAYS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE

1️⃣ Pay your bills on time! Even one late payment can negatively impact your credit.

2️⃣ Pay down credit card balances. Keeping utilization below 30% is a helpful guideline, and lower balances may be even better.

3️⃣ Avoid opening unnecessary new accounts. Multiple credit applications in a short period can impact your score.

4️⃣ Don’t automatically close older credit cards. Keeping established accounts open may benefit your credit history and available credit.

5️⃣ Review your credit reports for errors. Mistakes happen! Disputing inaccurate information could help improve your credit.

6️⃣ Start early! If you’re considering purchasing a home in the next 6–12 months, now is a great time to evaluate your credit.

🏠 HERE’S WHERE I CAN HELP!

As your mortgage loan officer, I can help you:

✔️ Understand how your credit impacts mortgage qualification.

✔️ Identify potential credit-related obstacles.

✔️ Explore loan programs that may fit your current credit profile.

✔️ Create a mortgage readiness plan so you know what to work toward.

✔️ Understand how improving your credit may affect your financing options.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out to me!

Whether you’re ready to buy today or just starting to plan for the future, I’m happy to help you understand your options.

📲 Message me and let’s talk about getting you mortgage-ready!

Rates with Rakiey | Guaranteed Rate Affinity
NMLS #173193

Credit score improvements are not guaranteed. Mortgage lenders may use different credit scoring models, and loan approval is subject to underwriting and program requirements.

10/06/2026

$$$$$
HOW DO YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARE TO BUY A HOME?

Buying a home is exciting, but preparing financially before you start touring properties can help you make confident decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Here are some important steps to take—and a few things not to do.

✅ DO: Review your budget

Look beyond the estimated mortgage payment. Your monthly housing costs may also include:

🏠 Property taxes
🛡️ Homeowners insurance
🔧 Maintenance and repairs
🏢 Homeowners association fees, if applicable
💡 Utilities and other household expenses

Make sure the total payment fits comfortably within your budget—not just the maximum amount a lender may approve.

✅ DO: Save for more than the down payment

Buyers may need funds for:

💰 Down payment
🧾 Closing costs
🔍 Home inspection
� appraisal
🛡️ Insurance
🔧 Initial repairs or improvements
📦 Moving expenses
🚨 Emergency reserves

The amount needed will vary based on the loan program, property type, purchase price and other factors.

✅ DO: Check your credit early

Your credit profile can affect your loan options, interest rate and monthly payment. Review your credit reports for errors and give yourself time to address any concerns before applying.

✅ DO: Get pre-approved before shopping

A pre-approval can help you understand your estimated price range, monthly payment and available loan options. It can also make your offer stronger when you find the right home.

✅ DO: Compare loan options

There is more than one way to finance a home. Depending on your situation, you may want to discuss:

🔹 Conventional loans
🔹 FHA loans
🔹 VA loans
🔹 USDA loans
🔹 Down payment assistance programs
🔹 Adjustable-rate mortgages
🔹 Temporary rate buydowns

The best option is not always the one with the lowest advertised rate. It should fit your budget, goals, down payment, credit profile and plans for the property.

🚫 DON’T: Make major purchases before closing

Avoid financing a car, opening new credit cards or making other large purchases while your loan is being reviewed. New debt can affect your credit profile, debt-to-income ratio and loan approval.

🚫 DON’T: Change jobs without discussing it first

A job change, reduction in hours or move from salaried employment to self-employment may affect your loan qualification. Always speak with your mortgage professional before making a significant employment change.

🚫 DON’T: Move money without keeping records

Large deposits, transfers or gifts may need to be documented. Keep clear records and ask how to properly document funds before moving money between accounts.

🚫 DON’T: Empty your savings for the down payment

Owning a home comes with unexpected expenses. Try to preserve funds for emergencies, repairs and other costs after closing.

🚫 DON’T: Focus only on the interest rate

Compare the full picture, including:

📌 Monthly payment
📌 Closing costs
📌 Mortgage insurance
📌 Loan term
📌 Adjustable-rate features
📌 Prepayment terms
📌 Cash needed to close

Financial preparation can help you avoid surprises and make the home-buying process smoother.

Thinking about buying along the coast of southern Maine? Let’s review your budget, loan options and next steps so you can prepare with confidence.

📲 Josh Rakiey
(978) 771-9214
[email protected]
Rates with Rakiey
NMLS #173193

10/03/2026

🏡 LOWER PAYMENTS FOR THE FIRST 3 YEARS? YES, PLEASE.

Buying a home doesn’t always mean starting with the full monthly payment right away.

With Guaranteed Rate Affinity’s RateReduce 3-2-1 temporary buydown, eligible buyers may be able to ease into their mortgage payment over the first three years.

💰 HOW A 3-2-1 BUYDOWN WORKS:

If the note rate is 6.75%, the payment would initially be calculated as if the rate were:

🔻 Year 1: 3.75%
🔻 Year 2: 4.75%
🔻 Year 3: 5.75%
🏠 Year 4+: 6.75% note rate

The difference in the early payments is funded upfront through an eligible contribution, such as a seller or builder concession, subject to loan-program requirements.

🔑 BUYERS: This can mean meaningful payment relief during the first few years of homeownership.

🏠 REALTORS: Instead of focusing only on a price reduction, a RateReduce strategy may give you another way to structure an offer and help make the monthly payment more attractive to buyers.

📲 Realtors: Send me a listing and I’ll run a sample RateReduce scenario you can share with your buyers.

📲 Buyers: Send me the price of a home you’re considering and I’ll show you what the first three years of payments could look like.

Rates with Rakiey | Guaranteed Rate Affinity
NMLS #173193

10/02/2026

⚓ Kennebunk + Kennebunkport + Arundel

🏡 WEEKEND OPEN HOUSES — THE KENNEBUNKS + ARUNDEL AREA

Looking for a home near the coast? Make a day of it and tour some of this weekend’s open houses around Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

📍 60 Brown Street #14, Kennebunk
Saturday | 10:30 AM–12 PM
$340,000 | 2 BR | 1 BA

📍 5 Cheshire Meadows Lane #5, Kennebunk
Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM
$445,000 | 2 BR | 2 BA

📍 10 Morning Walk Lane, Kennebunk
Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM
Sunday | 1–3 PM
$2,499,000 | 3 BR | 3 BA
View 10 Morning Walk Lane⁠

📍 40 Cascade Circle #33, Kennebunk
Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM
3 BR | 3 BA

📍 8 Tranquility Drive #15, Kennebunk
Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM
3 BR | 2 BA

📍 21 Cascade Circle #21, Kennebunk
Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM
4 BR | 4 BA

📍 15 Cascade Circle #18, Kennebunk
Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM–2 PM
3 BR | 3 BA

📍 5 Boatswain Lane, Kennebunkport
Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM
$2,150,000 | 4 BR | 3 BA

📍 3 C***r Mill Lane, Kennebunk
Sunday | 1–2:30 PM
$825,000 | 3 BR | 3 BA

🏠 See one that catches your eye? Send me the listing and I can help you look at financing options and estimated payment before you make an offer.

Josh Rakiey | Rates with Rakiey
Guaranteed Rate Affinity
📱 978-771-9214
📧 [email protected]
NMLS #173193

10/02/2026

🏖️ Wells

🏡 OPEN HOUSES THIS WEEKEND — WELLS, MAINE

Beach towns. Beautiful homes. Coastal Maine living. If Wells is on your radar, there are several opportunities to tour homes this weekend.

📍 161 Glenwood Road
Saturday | 10–11:30 AM
$529,000 | 3 BR | 1.5 BA

📍 217 Championship Way
Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM
$779,000 | 3 BR | 2.5 BA

📍 48 Howard Avenue
Saturday | 12–2 PM
$729,000 | 4 BR | 2 BA
View 48 Howard Avenue⁠

📍 114 Webhannet Drive
Saturday | 1–2:30 PM
$1,775,000 | 4 BR | 2 BA

📍 Lot 40 Baker Road #40
Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM
$944,900 | 3 BR | 2 BA

See current Wells open houses & listing details⁠

🔑 House hunting this weekend? Send me a listing you’re interested in and I can help you look at the financing before you walk through the door.

Josh Rakiey | Rates with Rakiey
Guaranteed Rate Affinity
📱 978-771-9214
📧 [email protected]
NMLS #173193

10/02/2026

🌊 COASTAL LIVING STARTS HERE

Thinking about making a move to York or Cape Neddick? Spend part of your weekend touring some beautiful Southern Maine homes!

🏡 OPEN HOUSES — OCTOBER 3 & 4

📍 88 York Street, York
Saturday | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
$1,195,000 | 5 Beds | 5 Baths
https://johnfitzsimons.portsiderealestategroup.com/open-houses/

📍 7 Josiah Currier Road, York
Sunday | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
$1,250,000 | 3 Beds | 3 Baths
https://www.yorkerealty.com/by-town/cape-neddick/

📍 17 Pepperell Way, York
Sunday | 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
$1,950,000 | 4 Beds | 4 Baths
https://themeadowsellisteam.portsiderealestategroup.com/open-houses/

See one you love? Send me the address and I can help you look at financing options!

Josh Rakiey
Rates with Rakiey | Guaranteed Rate Affinity
📱 978-771-9214
📧 [email protected]
NMLS #173193

09/30/2026

🏡 REALTORS & HOMEBUYERS:

Let’s talk about RATES… even though nobody wants to talk about rates. 😅

Here’s the thing: you don’t necessarily have to wait for rates to drop to lower your initial mortgage payment.

💡 Don’t just negotiate the PRICE—negotiate the PAYMENT.

A temporary mortgage rate buydown can be a powerful strategy when putting together an offer or marketing a home.

Instead of asking only for a price reduction, an eligible seller concession may be used to fund a temporary buydown, potentially lowering the buyer’s payment during the first few years.

💰 With a 2-1 buydown:

✅ Year 1: Interest rate is 2% below the note rate
✅ Year 2: Interest rate is 1% below the note rate
✅ Year 3+: Full note rate applies

🔑 BUYERS:
A lower initial payment can give you some extra breathing room as you settle into your new home.

🏠 REALTORS:
Before automatically negotiating a price reduction, let’s run the numbers. A seller-funded temporary buydown may be another tool for structuring an offer or helping position a listing.

📲 Realtors: Send me a listing you’re working on. I’ll run a sample buydown scenario you can discuss with prospective buyers.

📲 Buyers: Send me the price of a home you’re considering. Let’s see what the numbers could look like with a temporary buydown.

You may not want to talk about rates—but I do. 😉
Let’s run the numbers.

Josh Rakiey
Vice President, Mortgage Lending
Guaranteed Rate Affinity
📱 978-771-9214
NMLS #173193

09/29/2026

🏡 3 REASONS NOW COULD BE A BETTER TIME TO BUY THAN YOU THINK

Waiting for the “perfect” housing market? You may be overlooking some opportunities happening right now.

1️⃣ MORE HOMES = MORE CHOICES
Inventory has improved, giving buyers more options and less pressure to jump on the first house they see.

2️⃣ BUYERS MAY HAVE MORE NEGOTIATING POWER
Depending on the property and market, buyers may be able to negotiate on price, seller-paid closing costs or even funds toward a rate buydown. 💰

3️⃣ YOU CAN’T REFINANCE THE PRICE YOU PAID
A better purchase price or seller concession is yours from day one. And if mortgage rates decline in the future, you may have the opportunity to refinance your rate.

💡 Don’t just ask, “What’s the rate?” Ask, “What’s the opportunity?”

Sometimes buying when there’s less competition can put you in a stronger negotiating position than waiting for everyone else to jump back into the market.

📲 Want to know what buying a home would look like with today’s numbers? Let’s run them together.