Fred Gruber, Author at Fred Gruber - First Rate Financial Group

10

Jun

Mortgage Tips

Can Freelancers Get a Mortgage?

If you are self-employed or work as a freelancer, you may be wondering whether buying a home is even possible. The good news? It absolutely is, but you will want to be prepared for a few extra steps in the process. Here are five common questions freelancers ask when it comes to getting a mortgage.

What Makes It Harder for Freelancers To Get Approved?
Freelancers don’t receive W-2s or paystubs, which means documenting income can be more involved. Instead, lenders look at tax returns, bank statements, and sometimes profit-and-loss statements. The key issue is proving your income is stable and ongoing. Irregular or seasonal income patterns can raise concerns for underwriters, so consistency is everything.
How Long Do I Need To Be Freelancing To Qualify?
Most lenders want to see at least two years of self-employment history. This allows them to average your income and assess its reliability. However, if you’ve been freelancing for less than two years but have previous experience in the same field, you might still qualify. In some cases, alternative mortgage programs allow qualification with just one year of income, though they often require higher down payments or interest rates.
Do I Need To Earn More Than a W-2 Employee?
Yes. That’s because your qualifying income is calculated after expenses are deducted. If you gross $150,000 annually but write off $75,000 in expenses, your qualifying income is $75,000. Meanwhile, a W-2 employee earning $100,000 would typically be able to use the full amount to qualify. So, the cleaner your books, and the fewer deductions you take, the better your numbers will look on a mortgage application.
Does Already Owning a Home Help My Chances?
Absolutely. Having a track record of on-time mortgage payments shows lenders that you’re capable of managing homeownership, even with freelance income. That said, lenders will still require updated documentation to prove your income can support a new or larger loan.
What Can I Do To Boost My Approval Odds?
Here are a few practical steps to put yourself in a stronger position:
- Keep your business and personal finances separate with different bank accounts.
- Build cash reserves for a down payment and emergency savings.
- Pay down existing debts to lower your debt-to-income ratio.
- Work with a mortgage professional who understands the self-employed borrower process.
- Be honest on your tax returns. Don’t inflate numbers just to qualify, that is a red flag for both lenders and the IRS.

While the road to homeownership as a freelancer may involve a few more hurdles, with the right planning and guidance, it is definitely within reach.

09

Jun

By Fred Gruber

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 9th, 2025

With next week bringing the latest wave of inflation data reports–namely the CPI and PPI–this week featured a slew of releases with minimal impact. The Trade Deficit and the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book stood out as the main indicators reflecting the current state of the economy. Although tariffs have largely been put on pause, their effects continue to reverberate across numerous industries.

Significant concern remains due to the instability in decision-making from the current administration. The Trade Deficit came in as expected, with the deficit cut in half following the announcement of tariffs, which caused imports to plunge. Meanwhile, the Beige Book indicated a significant slowing of the economy.

Federal Reserve Beige Book
The U.S. economy slowed to a crawl in May, with consumers pulling back on spending and businesses delaying hiring, according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book survey released Wednesday. According to the report, nine of the 12 Fed districts reported contraction in economic activity or no change in growth. The remaining districts saw slight growth.

Trade Deficit
The numbers: The U.S. international trade deficit narrowed 55.5% in April to $61.6 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had predicted the deficit would narrow to a seasonally adjusted $63.3 billion from a record $140.9 billion in March.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index
o 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.04% for this week, with the current rate at 5.99%
o 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.04% for this week, with the current rate at 6.85%

MND Rate Index
o 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.02% for this week. Current rates at 6.47%
o 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.03% for this week. Current rates at 6.50%

Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 247,000 compared to the expected claims of 236,000. The prior week landed at 239,000.

What’s Ahead
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation reports are the major releases scheduled for next week, with most expectations pointing toward a rise in inflation in the near future. These will be followed by the Consumer Sentiment report.

06

Jun

By Fred Gruber

Mortgage

How Property Taxes Impact Your Mortgage Payment

When buying a home, most people focus on the home price, interest rate, and monthly payment. But there’s another major factor that can significantly affect your mortgage: property taxes. These taxes can make your mortgage payment higher than expected and understanding how they work is key to managing your budget effectively.

Below, I will break down how property taxes influence your mortgage and what you can do to plan ahead.

What Are Property Taxes?
Property taxes are local taxes assessed on real estate by your city or county government. These funds help pay for public services like schools, police and fire departments, roads, and parks. The amount you owe each year is based on the assessed value of your home and the tax rate in your area.

For example, if your home is valued at $300,000 and your local property tax rate is 1.2%, you will owe $3,600 in property taxes annually.

How Property Taxes Affect Your Mortgage Payment
Most homeowners pay their property taxes through an escrow account set up by their mortgage lender. Here is how it works:

Your lender estimates your annual property tax bill, divides it by 12, and adds that amount to your monthly mortgage payment. The lender collects this money each month and pays the tax bill on your behalf when it comes due.

So, if your base mortgage payment (principal + interest) is $1,500 and your estimated monthly property tax is $300, your total mortgage payment becomes $1,800.

This means your monthly payment can fluctuate, even if your loan amount and interest rate stay the same.

When Property Taxes Go Up
Your local government reassesses property values regularly. If your home’s value increases or the tax rate changes, your property taxes—and your mortgage payment—can go up, too.

Each year, your lender performs an escrow analysis to check if you’ve paid enough to cover your tax and insurance bills. If taxes have increased, you may receive a notice of escrow shortage and a higher monthly payment to make up the difference.

This surprise can catch homeowners off guard, especially if the increase is significant.

Tips to Stay Ahead

Know Your Local Rates:
Before buying a home, research the area’s property tax rate. A slightly more expensive home in a lower-tax area may have a lower monthly cost than a cheaper home with high taxes.
Watch for Reassessments:
Stay informed about property assessments in your area. If you think your home’s assessed value is too high, you may be able to appeal the assessment.
Plan for Increases:
Property values often rise, especially in desirable neighborhoods. Build some cushion into your budget for potential increases in taxes.
Review Your Escrow Statement:
Lenders send escrow statements each year. Review them carefully and ask your lender if anything looks off.

Understanding how property taxes affect your mortgage helps you plan smarter, avoid surprises, and stay in control of your housing costs. It’s not just about what you borrow, it’s also about what your community collects.