Natasha Kelley- Loan Officer

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

From start to finish, the homebuying process can take up to several months, depending on how long it takes you to find the perfect place. Once your offer is accepted, the timeline to getting keys in hand can last anywhere from thirty to ninety days, varying based on factors like market conditions, loan approval, and closing procedures.

Let’s discuss your goals and create a plan that works for you!

10/11/2026

Which of these outdoor upgrades would you choose to boost your home’s appeal?

🏡 A stylish walkway
🏠 A brand-new roof
🍴 An outdoor kitchen for entertaining
☀️ A cozy deck or patio

No matter your choice, these improvements can enhance your enjoyment and increase your home’s value! Ready to learn more about upgrades that buyers love? Let’s connect and get your home market-ready!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Self-employed tax write-offs can sink a mortgage application

Roughly 16.8 million Americans are self-employed.

Here’s how the lender math works 👇

📉 The gap:

Self-employed buyers follow their accountant’s advice
The write-offs that cut your tax bill also cut the income an underwriter counts

That gap can decide an approval or a polite no

👥 Who this hits:

Roughly 16.8 million Americans are self-employed, per BLS data
That’s more than 10% of the workforce

🧮 How a conventional lender counts you:

Starts with net profit on your tax return
Runs it through a cash-flow worksheet (Fannie Mae Form 1084 is common)
Averages it over about two years

📋 Which write-offs hurt:

Added back, so they don’t lower qualifying income: depreciation, home office, depletion, amortization

Pull income down: supplies, subcontractors, vehicle and mileage, insurance, fuel, travel

🏦 The bank statement loan:

Lender totals deposits from the past 12 or 24 months
On business accounts, lenders commonly count about 50% as income

Rates run about 0.5 to 1 point above a comparable conventional loan

🧾 The CPA letter:

Deposit $20,000 a month and the lender counts $10,000
If a CPA documents costs closer to 25%, the lender might count $15,000

Ask your loan officer first how they want it prepared.

💡 What this means for Realtors:

The article says a conventional turndown usually reflects how the lender measures income

A self-employed buyer who got a no may still have a path

My take: ask your self-employed buyers early which write-offs they take, then connect them with a loan officer who lays out both options

✅ Bottom line:

Tax-time deductions can shrink the income a conventional lender counts. Bank statement loans count deposits instead.

How many of your self-employed buyers have heard about both options?

Source: Kiplinger, Eric Bernstein of LendFriend Mortgage

10/08/2026

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