Russell Smith: Mortgage Strategist

Russell Smith: Mortgage Strategist Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS ID # 78989

I help buyers, realtors & investors achieve results. Strategies that build & protect long-term wealth start here.

ALCOVA Mortgage, LLC | Company NMLS ID # 40508 | (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

09/01/2026

What if you could buy your next home BEFORE selling your current one?
Many homeowners have plenty of equity but feel stuck because they need that money for the down payment on their next home.
Our interest-only Bridge Loan may provide the solution.

With this strategy, many homeowners can:
✅ Access the equity in their current home
✅ Use it for the down payment on the new home
✅ Pay closing costs
✅ Pay off the existing mortgage
✅ Even pay off other debts that may improve qualification
One of the biggest advantages is that, under this program's qualifying guidelines, the bridge loan payment typically is not included in the debt-to-income calculation for the new mortgage.

That means you may be able to:
🏡 Buy first
📦 Move once
🚫 Avoid making a contingent offer
🏠 Sell your current home after you've already moved out

A vacant home is often easier to show, giving buyers the opportunity to truly envision themselves living there.

This strategy has helped move-up buyers, downsizers, families relocating to another state, and homeowners purchasing properties well over $800,000.
Every situation is different, so let's build a strategy around your goals.

📞 Russell Smith
The Mortgage Strategist
Serving North Carolina & South Carolina
ALCOVA Mortgage
NMLS #78989
910-352-6344
[email protected]
https://www.alcova.com/rsmith

08/30/2026

A PCS move doesn’t always mean you have to sell your current home first.

For the right military family, keeping that property as a rental, using a VA Buy Then Sell strategy, and taking advantage of VA seller concessions can create far more flexibility than most buyers realize.

Add in no monthly mortgage insurance, flexible qualification guidelines, and no VA loan limits for borrowers with full entitlement, and the VA loan becomes much more than just a way to finance your next house.

Before your next PCS move, let’s build a strategy around the bigger picture — not just the next mortgage.

Russell Smith | The Mortgage Strategist

08/28/2026

Think a VA loan can’t finance a property with nearly 100 acres? Think again.

These buyers purchased an incredible property with 98.5 acres using a VA loan with no down payment.

The appraisal was more complex than a typical purchase, comparable sales were limited, and other mortgage companies were hesitant because of the amount of land.

We weren’t.

Our team worked through the challenges and helped these buyers get to the closing table on the property they wanted.

If you’re a Realtor or buyer looking at acreage, residential farms, horse properties, or other unique real estate, don’t assume the VA loan won’t work just because there’s a lot of land.

Call me before you say no.

Russell Smith | The Mortgage Strategist

08/26/2026

Buying before you sell doesn’t always mean taking out a larger mortgage and refinancing later.

With the right structure, you may be able to use a first mortgage + HELOC to purchase your next home with as little as 5% down, then use the proceeds from your current home to pay off the HELOC once it sells.

The result? You’re left with the smaller first mortgage you wanted from the start — without having to refinance.

If you’re thinking about buying before you sell, let’s build a strategy around your specific situation.

Russell Smith | The Mortgage Strategist

08/20/2026

Did you know a VA loan can sometimes be approved with a debt-to-income ratio in the 70% range?
The reason is residual income—a unique VA requirement that measures how much money your family has left after paying monthly obligations. It's one of the biggest reasons VA loans are considered the best mortgage program available.
In this video, I explain:
What VA residual income is
Why it's more important than many people realize
Why VA loans can approve higher debt-to-income ratios
Common solutions when residual income falls below the required amount
If you're a veteran or Realtor, understanding this concept could save a deal that another lender may have declined.
📞 Russell Smith – The Mortgage Strategist
ALCOVA Mortgage
📱 910-352-6344
📧 [email protected]
🌐 alcova.com/rsmith
NMLS #78989

08/17/2026

Thinking about buying your first home in North Carolina? There has never been a better time to learn about the NC Housing Finance Agency's $15,000 Down Payment Assistance Program.

Major improvements include:
Most buyers now only need one year of tax returns
Maximum home purchase price increased to $525,000
Higher county income limits
Many buyers earning over $100,000 may now qualify depending on household size and county

Additional down payment assistance options are available for higher-income buyers and even many who are not first-time home buyers.
Don't assume you need a large down payment. Let's review every program available for your situation.

📞 Russell Smith – The Mortgage Strategist
📱 910-352-6344
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://alcova.com/rsmith
Licensed in NC & SC | NMLS #78989

07/31/2026

Business owners: your tax returns may not tell the full story when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage.

Legal write-offs can be great for reducing taxable income—but they may also make your business appear less profitable on paper. With a 12-month bank statement loan program, we may be able to evaluate your actual business deposits instead, giving us a clearer picture of your real cash flow.

The same borrower, business, and home purchase could have two very different outcomes depending on how the income is calculated.

If you’re self-employed or own a business, don’t assume a traditional mortgage is your only option. Let’s build a financing strategy that better reflects how your business actually performs.

— Russell, The Mortgage Strategist

07/24/2026

Over this series, we’ve talked about several ways investors grow real estate portfolios.

Some use equity.
Some use cash-out refinances.
Some use renovation financing.
Some focus on BRRRR, DSCR loans, long-term cash flow, or a slower snowball approach.

The truth is, there is no perfect strategy.

The best strategy depends on your cash, equity, experience level, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

What matters most is having a plan.

07/22/2026

Not every property works well as a traditional long-term rental.

But with the right location, renovation, guest experience, and rental strategy, some properties may perform much better as short-term rentals.

The key is not just buying real estate.
It is buying the right real estate for the right strategy.

07/20/2026

Not every real estate investor wants to move fast.

Some build wealth through a slower, steadier approach: buy one rental, let tenants help pay down the mortgage, build equity over time, collect cash flow, and eventually use that momentum to purchase the next property.

It may not be the fastest path, but for the right investor, it can be a smart and more manageable way to grow.

Address

301 Liberty Street Suite 100
Whiteville, NC
28472

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Russell Smith: Mortgage Strategist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Russell Smith: Mortgage Strategist:

Shortcuts

Share

Category