Bernie Tomei - NMLS 350615

Bernie Tomei - NMLS 350615 Mortgage Lender I Girl Mom I Dream-Maker

09/17/2026

Just because the calculator (or lender) says you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

A mortgage approval looks at income, debts, credit, and assets. But it doesn’t see if you have kids in travel sports, vacations you want to take, a preference for good wine, or a life you don’t want to put on pause just because you bought a house.

Your home should fit your life - not the other way around. That’s why I don’t ask “what purchase price are you shopping in?”, I ask “what payment lets you buy the home you want AND live the life you love?”

Work with a lender who builds a mortgage around you, not the calculator.

Save this if you’re thinking about buying a home - or send it to someone who needs to hear this.

Bernie Tomei | NMLS 350615 | United American Mortgage Co | NMLS 1942

A 2/1 buydown can sound almost too good to be true…And that’s because there’s an important detail many buyers don’t real...
09/16/2026

A 2/1 buydown can sound almost too good to be true…
And that’s because there’s an important detail many buyers don’t realize:
The lower payment is temporary.
With a 2/1 buydown, your interest rate is reduced by 2% in the first year and 1% in the second year. Then, beginning in year 3, your payment is based on the full note rate.
The good news? If a seller or builder is offering concessions, a 2/1 buydown can be one way to use those funds to reduce your payment during the first two years of homeownership.
But before choosing one, I’d want to see how it compares with your other options.
Should the seller credit go toward:
🏠 A 2/1 buydown?
💰 Closing costs?
📉 A permanent rate reduction?
💵 Or something else?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
The important part is looking at the numbers before you get to the closing table.
Save this post for later—and if you’re buying, send it to your lender and ask them to run the comparison for you.
Bernie Tomei NMLS 350615 I United American Mortgage Co NMLS 1942

09/11/2026

🩺 Doctors, PAs, NPs, Dentists - This ones for you!

You spent years training to take care of everyone else. Now let’s take care of YOU (and your home goals!)

Whether you’re interning, in the middle of residency, or starting a fellowship, this program was designed to work with your income timelines - not against it.

Save this for later. Send this to a doctor, nurse, or medical professional who’s thinking about homeownership. Or drop a 🏠 in the comments if you want to see if you qualify.

09/10/2026

3 years ago, Mackenzie asked if she could run my business TikTok page. We agreed she’d make $50 per video but would have to put half into savings (in hindsight, I really should have had her start her IRA then!).

I quickly realized I actually didn’t want my 10 year old on TikTok. But for the few weeks she was on there, we did get a couple of cute gems and this one recently popped up on my phone memories and is too cute to not share!

09/08/2026

There are some things you can absolutely wait until the last minute to figure out. Your mortgage probably shouldn’t be one of them 😉 Talking to a lender before you start seriously shopping doesn’t mean you have to buy tomorrow. It just means you know your numbers, understand your options, and can shop with confidence when the right house does come along. Because finding your dream home is exciting! Finding out afterwards that the numbers don’t work? Not so much ☹️ If you’re on the fence or have questions, I’m a quick call, email, or DM away. | Bernie Tomei | NMLS 350615 | United American Mortgage | NMLS 1942

Today’s Mortgage Report | September 830 Year Conventional: 6.494%15 Year Conventional : 5.830%30 Year FHA: 6.125%30 Year...
09/08/2026

Today’s Mortgage Report | September 8

30 Year Conventional: 6.494%
15 Year Conventional : 5.830%
30 Year FHA: 6.125%
30 Year VA: 6.125%

The question is just “where are rates today?” It’s “what does today’s market mean for YOUR situation?”

We’re also showing a market recap for Franklin, TN and Placer County.

If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or simply want to know what your options look like, let’s chat!

Bernie Tomei | NMLS 350615 | United American Mortgage Co | NMLS 1942

More Than A PrequalificationA prequalification and a confident offer strategy? Cousins, not twins. 😉 Getting a prequalif...
09/07/2026

More Than A Prequalification
A prequalification and a confident offer strategy? Cousins, not twins. 😉 Getting a prequalification can be a helpful first step, but buying a home is about more than just a number. Understanding your financing options, budget, and next steps can help you make decisions with more confidence when the right home comes along. The goal isn’t just getting into a house — it’s making sure the move makes sense for you. Have questions about your options? Let’s talk. Bernie Tomei | NMLS 350615 | United American Mortgage Co | NMLS 1942 homebuying firsttimehomebuyer mortgageeducation

What happens when your seller credit is MORE than your closing costs?I recently had an agent call me after her buyer had...
09/06/2026

What happens when your seller credit is MORE than your closing costs?
I recently had an agent call me after her buyer had chosen another lender.
When they got to the closing table, they realized the buyer’s final closing costs were less than the seller credit.
Which meant there were seller funds that weren’t being used. Money literally left on the table.
We talked through options that could potentially put those dollars to work:
🏠 Home warranty — use available funds toward a home warranty.
📋 Prepaid HOA dues — prepay up to 12 months of HOA Dues.
📉 Buy down the interest rate — use the exact available dollar amount to reduce the rate and save money on the monthly payment and over the life of the loan.
The important part?
A good loan officer shouldn’t be discovering this at the closing table.
They should be looking ahead and identifying these opportunities early enough to actually do something about them.
That’s the difference between simply getting a borrower approved and actually building a strategy around their loan.
Seller credits. Rate options. Closing costs. Prepaids. Loan structure.
These details matter.
And when you’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, who you work with matters, too.
So agents, before you write that offer with a seller credit, call your lender and ask:
“If the seller credit ends up being more than the closing costs, what are our options?”
The right loan officer should already have an answer. 😉

They can’t all be content days! 🤓 I’m working on something I’m super excited about and can’t wait to share in the next f...
09/04/2026

They can’t all be content days! 🤓 I’m working on something I’m super excited about and can’t wait to share in the next few weeks! Plus, we’re off to celebrate my nieces birthdays tonight! And with no kids soccer games this weekend, I’ll be available by cell if any questions come up!

08/28/2026

I wouldn’t let my best friend buy a house without calling me first. 😉
Not because I want their business…
Because I want to make sure they actually understand the numbers before making one of the biggest purchases of their life.
Know your budget.
Know your payment.
Know your closing costs.
Know your options.
A pre-approval is a starting point. A plan is so much better.
When you have a lender in your corner who knows your goals, knows your situation, and is actually invested in getting you to the closing table, you have someone who can help you navigate the unexpected, look for ways to save money, and make sure there are no surprises along the way.
That’s what I want for my friends, my clients, and honestly… anyone buying a home.
So whether it’s me or another trusted lender in your circle, call your friend first.
And if your friend is getting ready to buy, refinance, or invest, send them this post.
Because friends don’t let friends buy a house unprepared.

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Brentwood, TN
37027

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