The Powell Team - Mortgage Banker - NMLS 517124

09/24/2026

"My student loan balance is high. Can I still buy a home?"

There's more to qualifying than just the full balance. Your monthly payment, income, credit, and other debts all factor into the mortgage picture, and different loan programs have different guidelines for student loans.

If buying a home is on your radar, let's look at the numbers and talk through your options.

09/22/2026

Ever look at your mortgage payment and think, “Wait... where is all of that money going?”

Your monthly payment can include much more than principal and interest. Depending on your loan, there may also be property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, and escrow payments in the mix.

And if your payment suddenly changes, your interest rate may not be the reason.

A few minutes of decoding your mortgage statement could make the whole thing feel a lot less mysterious.

Your monthly payment may include principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance, depending on how your payments are structured.

09/17/2026

You got pre-approved. The condo did, too, right?

Here’s the part of condo shopping that can catch you by surprise: getting pre-approved doesn’t automatically mean every condo you choose will qualify for your mortgage.

We may need to review the condo project, including the HOA, insurance, reserves, repairs, and potential assessments.

Let’s talk before you make an offer. A little homework upfront can help you avoid some big surprises later.

09/15/2026

Love your mortgage rate? You might not have to give it up to give your home an upgrade.

If you’ve been putting off a bigger renovation because refinancing your low-rate first mortgage doesn’t make sense, a second-lien renovation financing option can let you keep your existing mortgage in place while accessing funds for eligible improvements.

And depending on the project, financing may consider your home’s projected value after the renovations are complete.

New kitchen? Addition? ADU? There might be more ways to make the numbers work than you think.

If you're sitting on a mortgage rate you don't want to lose, a second-lien renovation loan may allow you to keep your mortgage while giving you access to equity.

09/10/2026

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09/10/2026

You got pre-approved. Time to celebrate? Absolutely. Is it the final finish line? Not quite.

Your pre-approval is an important first step, while final approval comes after your lender takes a deeper look at your finances, documentation, credit, and the property.

Keep things steady, keep me in the loop, and let’s keep your mortgage moving toward the closing table.

09/08/2026

These days, there’s a little more to condo financing than finding a place you love and getting the keys.

Your lender may need to look at the condo project itself, including the HOA’s finances, insurance, reserves, repairs, and more.
And with condo review changes taking effect in 2026, plus the transition to UAD 3.6 appraisal reporting, there are some things worth knowing before you make an offer.

If a condo is on your wishlist, let’s talk about your plans. I’m happy to help you figure out what comes next!

When you buy a condo, your lender may look at more than just you and the unit you want to buy. They may also need to review the condominium project itself.

09/06/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Matt Powell by Sherry W C - Answered and returned, phone calls in a timely manner. Was very helpful walking me through the process.

Click to see all 394 reviews of Matt Powell, Sr. Mortgage Banker | NMLS # 517124

09/03/2026

First-time homebuyers: here’s your permission to ask your loan officer all the questions.

Even the “this might be a dumb question…” questions.

There aren’t any dumb questions when you’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. In fact, some of the best conversations happen when we get beyond the basic numbers and start talking about what could change, what you might be overlooking and where you want to be a few years from now.

A good mortgage conversation should leave you feeling more informed, not more overwhelmed.

09/01/2026

Don't let closing day become a scammer's opportunity.

When you’re getting close to closing, your inbox is probably full of messages from your lender, real estate agent, title company and attorney. That’s exactly what scammers are counting on.

Wire fraud scams often look surprisingly legitimate, which is why it’s so important to verify wiring instructions and be cautious about unexpected changes or requests for personal information.

A few extra seconds of verification could save you from a very expensive mistake.

Homebuyers have become a common target for cybercrime as scammers impersonate lenders, but knowing what to watch for is one of the best ways to protect yourself.