Resource Center
Washington Mortgage Resource Center
A mortgage-first knowledge base for buying, financing and owning a home in Washington. Loan programs, qualifying and pricing come first, then everything around the loan that can change it: appraisals, inspections, contracts, taxes, insurance, selling and the years after closing.
Browse by topic
Mortgages come first, because that's my job. Everything else is here because it changes your loan: the appraisal, the inspection, the contract, taxes, insurance, HOA dues and the home you're selling.
Mortgages
Mortgage Basics
How a mortgage actually works: payment structure, PITI, terms, amortization, escrow accounts, servicing and underwriting, explained the way I'd explain it on a phone call.
6 guides →Loan Programs
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, first-time buyer and investment financing, what each program allows and who it actually fits.
2 guides →Qualifying & Underwriting
Credit, income, self-employment, assets, debt-to-income, loan-to-value, reserves and the conditions underwriters ask for, plus what each document actually proves.
Browse →Rates & Pricing
How a rate is actually built: pricing grids, credit and LTV adjustments, points, lender credits, locks, margins and loan officer compensation. Including how I get paid.
Browse →Refinancing & Equity
Rate-and-term, cash-out, VA IRRRL, FHA streamline, HELOC versus refinance, recasting and removing mortgage insurance, with break-even math before you pay a single fee.
2 guides →Closing Costs & Concessions
Lender fees, title and escrow, prepaids, reserves, discount points, permanent and temporary buydowns and seller concessions, line by line, no surprises at signing.
2 guides →Buying a Home
Home Buying
Pre-approval, budget, down payment, offers, earnest money, contingencies and the buying timeline, the questions every Washington buyer asks before writing an offer.
3 guides →Questions Buyers Don't Know to Ask
Can the seller pay my closing costs? Can I ask for the hot tub? Can I buy a car before closing? Straight answers to the questions that decide deals.
Browse →Who's Who
Loan officer, agent, processor, underwriter, appraiser, inspector, escrow, title and insurance. Who does what, who works for you, and who can hold up a closing.
Browse →The Real-Estate Transaction
Appraisals, Inspections, Escrow & Title
Appraisals and low-value outcomes, reconsideration of value, inspections and repair negotiation, escrow, title, easements and closing mechanics, and how each one moves the loan.
Browse →Contracts & Negotiation
Offers, Washington forms in plain English, commissions, what is actually negotiable beyond price, personal property versus real property, and new construction.
Browse →Taxes, Insurance & HOA
Property taxes, levies, homeowners and flood insurance, HOA dues and special assessments, and why a fixed-rate loan still doesn't mean a fixed total payment.
Browse →Market Insights
Market History
Time-stamped notes on rates and Washington housing conditions from 2020 forward, each one with what I thought then and what I'd say now.
1 guides →Dom's Take
My analysis and opinions: what the industry gets wrong, what I'd do with my own money, and the calls where I've changed my mind.
Browse →This week in mortgages
HELOC pricing keeps improving while purchase demand stays steady
Updated August 24, 2026
- HELOC rates have come down, several clients are now pulling equity instead of refinancing a low first-lien rate.
- Purchase pre-approvals are closing at an average of 15 days or less, so short contract timelines are workable.
- Fixed-rate quotes remain highly credit- and LTV-sensitive: a 20-point score move can change pricing materially.
- Sellers are engaging on concessions again, which makes a temporary rate buydown worth pricing on most offers.
Not a rate sheet. Ask me for a live quote, pricing moves daily with the bond market. Call (206) 335-7334 for live pricing.
Latest guides
Washington market pages →October 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Underwriting Demystified: What Lenders Actually Check on a Home Purchase Loan
Learn exactly what a mortgage underwriter is looking for, why conditions are not accusations, and how to set up your home purchase for approval in today's balanced market.
October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Why I Was Wrong About FHA Loans
I used to think conventional loans were always the superior choice. In a normalizing market, FHA loans are proving to be one of the best tools we have to engineer a lower payment.
October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Why You Should Shop the Loan Structure, Not Just the Interest Rate
Shopping for a mortgage by looking only at the interest rate is like buying a car based only on the paint color. In a balanced market, the way you structure your financing matters more than the list price.
October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Mortgage Underwriters Ask for Ridiculous Documents and How to Survive It
Ever wonder why a mortgage underwriter wants every single blank page of your bank statement or proof of a tiny deposit? Learn what they are actually looking for, how to keep your approval on track, and the unique underwriting hurdles of King County real estate.
October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Who Pays What at Signing in Washington
Understand how closing costs, escrow prepaids, and seller credits split at the closing table in Washington, with strategic insights for Mercer Island buyers.
October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Cash-Out Refinance vs. HELOC: Choosing the Right Equity Tool in Thurston County
Should you replace your entire mortgage or add a second line of credit? Learn how to calculate the blended rate and make the right move for your home improvement project.
October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Refinance Break-Even Math: Calculate Your Real Savings Before Paying a Fee
Stop guessing if a refinance makes sense. Learn how to run the strict break-even math on an FHA refinance in Snohomish County before spending a single dollar on fees.
October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Getting Jumbo Loans Right in Snohomish County: Limits, Mortgage Insurance, and Property Realities
In a balanced Everett housing market, the math behind your mortgage structure matters more than the list price. Learn how Jumbo loan limits, private mortgage insurance, and property conditions impact your monthly payment.
Ready for a straight answer on your numbers?
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