MORTGAGE BLOG

The Ultimate Spring Moving Checklist

Blog posted On March 26, 2026

Are you about to close on your new home? It’s time to call the movers! And in the meantime, there’s a plethora of other items you can attend to before your big day. Things like utilities, address changes, locks, and air filters all factor in. We hope our handy dandy list is helpful as you prep for your big day. Moving is stressful, and you deserve to know these tips & tricks to make the process go as efficiently and painlessly as possible. And don’t forget, especially for those with finicky backs: lift with your legs!

Say Hello to MedPro Premier! 100% Financing for Medical Professionals

Blog posted On March 12, 2026

Doctors, are you ready to make a house call? No, not for a patient, but for your own home! For keeping our communities healthy, it’s our turn to make homeownership easier. We now offer 100% financing for eligible medical professionals through MedPro Premier. Both Premier and MedPro Advantage offer financing up to $2 million, waive mortgage insurance, and allow for deferred student loan debt to be excluded from DTI calculations. Are you ready to make an appointment and schedule your mortgage diagnostic? Let’s find out!

5 Scams Every New Homeowner Should Know About

Blog posted On March 05, 2026

As buying season starts ramping up, it’s vital to educate both future and current homeowners about common scams and wire fraud tactics. It never hurts to be wary during the home buying process, especially when finances are involved. Con artists like to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers, likely overwhelmed by the required documentation it takes to finalize a mortgage. Don’t fall for their schemes! By educating yourself about five of the biggest mortgage-related scams, you’ll safeguard yourself from those who would steal from you.

Your First Home Won’t Be Your Last

Blog posted On February 26, 2026

If you’re a younger home buyer and stressing about finding your forever home, stop right there! Your first home probably won’t be your last. But guess what? That’s actually a good thing! Let’s jump into the reasons why your first home is going to set you up for home buying success in the future.

Bidding Wars & Broken Hearts: Real Estate Lessons from “Best Offer Wins”

Blog posted On February 19, 2026

We’ve all heard this story: a hopeful buyer gets their heart set on a perfect listing, puts in an offer, and…dozens of unbeatable all-cash offers flood in. In Marisa Kashino’s debut novel “Best Offer Wins,” a similar story of home buying woe ensues: Margo Miyake, an exhausted D.C. home buyer, has lost eleven bidding wars and goes to desperate lengths to secure the home of her dreams. Despite its hyperbolic nature, the book explores important themes about the modern housing crisis. In this day and age, how can a buyer remain resilient amidst heartless bidding wars?

How February Sets the Tone for Spring Home Buying

Blog posted On February 05, 2026

In the real estate market, February typically acts as the bridge between seasons: the winter slowdown and the spring buying boom. Now is the perfect time for buyers and sellers to finesse your financial strategies and figure out how to time the rhythm of the market. This is the best time to obtain a preapproval, find the right real estate agent, prep your property for tours, and for some savvy buyers, house hunt for a home before the busy, competitive spring season sets in with earnest.

Mortgage Terminology 101: What Every Home Buyer Should Know

Blog posted On January 15, 2026

Like any field or industry, a boatload of terms goes hand-in-hand with the mortgage world. For home buyers, it can be an overwhelming process, with unfamiliar terms being flung at you left and right. But just because it can be a lot at once doesn’t mean it has to be. We’ve compiled some of the most commonly used words and phrases that are pertinent to the home buying process. We hope this helps set you up for success as your home loan gets closer to the finish line!

From 2025 to 2026: 5 Real Estate Takeaways for the New Year

Blog posted On January 08, 2026

January is a time of perspective, a great time for reflecting. Whether it’s for personal or professional goals, many of us ask the same question: what worked and what didn’t work last year? If you’re a prospective homeowner, it’s helpful to ask the same question with the housing industry. You’ll want to know when to seriously dive into the market, how to time any potential rate drops, and begin strategizing your 2026 game plan.

The Perks of Home Buying in the Winter Season

Blog posted On December 30, 2025

When most people think of the best season to buy a home, summer comes to mind. Likely, there’s an understandable reluctance to moving when there’s snow on the ground. However, is it not worse to move in 80-90 degree heat, with the sun beating down relentlessly while moving heavy boxes and furniture? In the colder season, moving will keep you warm, and you likely won’t be affected by the cold as much as you’d think. There’s also less competition to contend with and more time to work with your agent. And best of all, your negotiation power has much more weight in the winter. Still not convinced? Let’s walk through some of the perks of home buying this winter.

Real Estate Life Lessons from “White Christmas”

Blog posted On December 23, 2025

A timeless classic of the holiday season, “White Christmas” dropped in 1954, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. It was the top grossing film that year, and its iconic songs have permeated every winter of the last seven decades, with memorable melodies and important life lessons that resonate with families still to this day. As we near the holidays and close out the year, we want to explore how the life lessons in “White Christmas” can apply to the lives of home buyers and homeowners alike.

Step Into Your Career AND Your Home with CMG Graduate Advantage

Blog posted On December 18, 2025

As you walk across stage and grab your diploma, what if another important document lay in wait, right around the corner? How about, say, a purchase contract? That’s right, we now offer a program designed specifically for recent graduates in qualifying fields, ready to launch them into both a new career AND a new home. And the biggest benefit? You can get preapproved based your future salary. Let’s explore how CMG Graduate Advantage may be the right fit for you.

The Gift That Lasts: How to Make a Holiday Impact with HomeFundIt™

Blog posted On December 11, 2025

Tired of receiving gifts that go unused every year? You might be interested in an alternative gifting method this holiday season. Instead of physical presents, why not receive the gift of homeownership? Through our down payment gifting platform HomeFundIt™, your friends and family can help you take one step closer to becoming a homeowner in the new year.

5 Advantages to Buying a Home Before the End of the Year

Blog posted On December 04, 2025

As the end of the year drifts ever closer, a window of opportunity awaits hopeful home buyers. Like the gleam of the North Star on a winter’s night, the dream of homeownership winks invitingly from the threshold of your future home. It’s true that the final quarter of the year can offer numerous dividends to a winter home buyer than an eager summer house hunter. Below you are five possible advantages for buying a home in the final stretch of the year.

Community ONE Relaunch: Making Homeownership Accessible in All 50 States

Blog posted On November 20, 2025

What’s that in the sky? A bird? Or a plane? NO! It’s Community ONE, relaunching across all 50 states. Community ONE is our affordable home loan program designed to help qualifying home buyers get into a home with a smaller down payment and more flexible options. Whether you’ve been saving for years or just getting started, Community ONE is built to help make homeownership more within reach for low-to-moderate-income buyers.

5 Tips on Budgeting for Your First House

Blog posted On November 06, 2025

One of the most important questions that any burgeoning home buyer can ask is: how much can I actually afford? Once you find the answer, you’ll be well on your way to buying your first home! Next step: create a practical budgeting plan to help you set aside the funds you’ll need to buy a home. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. Here are five simple steps to help you create the perfect home buying budget.

Haunted By Repairs? How to Finance Your Fixer-Upper

Blog posted On October 30, 2025

Did you know? In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Count decides to ditch his crumbling castle and hires a solicitor to help him buy a run-down London mansion. See, even vampires know that a good fixer-upper can hide incredible potential! And here’s the good news. With renovation loans like Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Loan, you can finance both the purchase and the upgrades with one convenient mortgage.

Balancing Family Goals and Homeownership Dreams in Today’s Market

Blog posted On October 10, 2025

Housing prices are influencing how people think about family size, timing, and lifestyle choices. The American Dream of owning a home is intrinsically tied to the idea of family, and it’s affecting parents deciding between having one more child or buying a bigger home. Let’s examine the affordability factors at play with the modern family and establish how homeowners can still get ahead with smart planning and support from us, their reliable lender.

There and Back Again: The Charm of Hobbitcore Living

Blog posted On September 25, 2025

Are you ready to go on an adventure? In honor of National Hobbit Day on September 22^nd, we’re diving into the cozy home design styles of hobbitcore and cottagecore. We want to celebrate the themes of warmth, community, and contentment and explore the ways that you can incorporate those aesthetics into your home!

Starter Homes: The Rising Star in Today's Housing Market

Blog posted On September 19, 2025

Despite some lulls in recent years, starter homes are beginning to see an uptick with inventory lately due to builders creating more entry-level homes. The hope is that this will inject some much-needed energy into the housing market and attract first-time buyers off of the sidelines. In addition, we’ll be unpacking the conventional definition of starter homes and examining the pros of buying old versus new. Ready to learn how starter homes are about to take the spotlight this season?

Buydowns vs. Price Reductions: Which Saves Buyers More?

Blog posted On August 29, 2025

In the current housing market, savvy home buyers are saving money in clever ways, such as temporary buydowns and price reductions. However, what if there was a third option that could help you save even more money down the line? Let’s examine the pros and cons of buydowns and price reductions in comparison to our innovative program, List & Lock™.

Back to Basics: Homeownership 101

Blog posted On August 21, 2025

School is back in session and so is homeownership! We have multiple home loan options and products tailored for students and recent grads. Are you a med school grad? Great! We have something for you! Worried about getting a mortgage with student loans? Don’t worry, we have something for that too! Even if you’re a parent looking for ways to help fund your college-aged kid’s education, we have options for you too. It’s time to go back to basics and step into Homeownership 101. Get ready to take notes!

The Jumbo Loan Advantage: Think Bigger, Borrow Smarter

Blog posted On August 07, 2025

The saying is “go big or go home,” right? But wouldn’t you like to go big AND go home? With the help of a Jumbo Loan, you can do just that! If you’re a home buyer looking to either finance a more expensive property or you live in a high-cost area, we offer a suite of Jumbo Loan programs tailored to your specific needs and situation, including the brand new Elite Jumbo!

3 Unexpected Advantages for Today’s Home Buyers

Blog posted On July 31, 2025

With the current fickle market, it’s natural for home buyers to feel hesitant right now. Interest rates aren’t providing much wiggle room, so the uncertainty is giving everyone pause. We get it! However, we’re here to challenge the question: “Should I wait this one out?”

First-Time Homeowner Tips: What to Do After You Move In

Blog posted On July 24, 2025

If you’ve just purchased your first home, congratulations! You’ve signed the closing papers, you’ve moved all your boxes and furniture inside, you’ve got your keys, and maybe you’ve already been living there for a few months. But…now what? Perhaps you’re wondering what a first-time homeowner needs to know after they’ve moved in. Maybe you’re worried about taking care of your home without a landlord and their maintenance crew helping out. If you live in an area that experiences all four seasons, how can you properly maintain your home throughout the year? Well, never fear! We’re here with tips and tricks to help you obtain your sea legs as a savvy homeowner.

Summer Snapshot: The Latest on Housing Trends & Rates in 2025

Blog posted On July 17, 2025

Now that the summer is in full swing and we’ve hit our mid-year stride, why don’t we check in with the latest housing trends and see what’s sizzling on the market. With stubborn, unbudging rates and fickle home buyers, the year thus far has been a tumultuous one for the housing and real estate industry. Can we glean any useful insights from the first six months to predict any changes for the second half of 2025? Let’s get into it.