Shaun Meller - Mortgage Broker - Quintessential Mortgage Group

09/29/2026

Proud to appear in this month’s edition of Westchester Magazine as a 2026 Five Star Award Winner. Check it out!

09/28/2026

Surviving Homeowners Can Outsmart the ‘Widow Tax’—but You’re Fighting the Clock

Surviving spouses can exclude up to $500,000 of capital gains from selling a primary home if they sell within two years of their spouse's death. After that, it gets knocked down to $250,000.

The surviving spouse can face a higher relative income tax rate and lower standard deductions after switching from "married filing jointly" to "single" status, even though their total household income has dropped— the most significant of which is capital gains.

One way to help reduce this tax liability is that when a spouse dies, the deceased spouse’s portion of the home will generally receive a basis adjustment, which can reduce the amount of gain that is ultimately taxable. So, let’s say you bought the house years ago for $200,000. If the house was worth $1,000,000 when your spouse passed away, the IRS will update your starting price to $1,000,000 or close to it, depending on state law.

Surviving spouses face tough choices on keeping or selling a home, with a two-year window to navigate the financial "widow tax."

09/25/2026

09/23/2026

If you're getting a mortgage, and your cost includes something called "PMI", that's a term you should know. It's an insurance policy, but it's not there to protect you, as the borrower. Here's a brief explanation, when it applies, and you can avoid it.

09/16/2026

There are mortgages offered through FHA (The Federal Housing Authority). They are more common than you may think, and they are NOT only meant for borrowers with lower credit scores. They offer aggressive rates that are usually lower than conventional Fannie Mae/Freddie rates, and permit higher debt ratios. Here's a brief primer to learn more...

09/09/2026

Much appreciation to my client, who was referred to me by the seller's agent!

09/02/2026

Buying a co-op versus a condominium may seem like it's the same thing. There are significant differences, however, not only in average prices, but also in documentation requirements, restrictions, and costs. Here's a brief explanation of some of those differences.

08/31/2026

Is It Worth Buying a Co-Op Apartment in New York City?

There are some significant differences between co-ops and condos in terms of owner restrictions, process of approval and transaction costs. This article doesn’t address these points, but primarily focuses on median price differences across the 5 boroughs.

In New York City, where rents have continued rising even as the national rental market cools. While national rents declined 1.5% from a year earlier, New York rents rose nearly 5%.

A buyer with an $895,000 budget isn't realistically choosing between an $895,000 co-op and the $2.025 million median Manhattan condo. The more relevant choice is between buying the co-op and or not buying at all—and that's when the co-op discount may matter most.

NYC co-ops can cost far less than condos, but rising maintenance, strict boards, and weaker price growth can complicate the bargain.

08/26/2026

Did you know there's a way to qualify income without showing ANY income? It's a method called "asset depletion" or "asset utilization". Most banks do not offer this product, but there are lenders who specialize with this and other creative methods to qualify buyers who don't quite fit the Fannie Mae box. Here's a brief video to explain...