Straight answers, reviewed by Kladi.
Plain-language answers to the questions every borrower asks, reviewed by Kladi Bejkolli, Mortgage Loan Officer and Branch Manager at West Capital Lending. Each guide puts the real answer near the top and the fine print below.
Every guide reviewed by Kladi · NMLS #1626841
How Do Mortgage Rates Affect What You Can Afford?
Your rate directly changes your monthly principal and interest payment: a higher rate means a smaller loan, and a lower rate means more house for the same payment. How the math works, with a labeled $350,000 illustration at three rates, key takeaways, and an FAQ.
Read the articleShould You Pay Points to Lower Your Mortgage Rate?
Discount points can lower your rate, but they add to your closing costs. How to run the break-even math, with a labeled $300,000 illustration at 6.5% vs. 6.25%, when points make sense, and a short FAQ.
Read the articleCan You Get a Mortgage If You're Self-Employed?
Yes, self-employed borrowers can qualify, but lenders verify your income differently: two years of tax returns, a profit-and-loss statement, and how add-backs can raise your qualifying income, with a labeled illustration and a straight-answer FAQ.
Read the articleHow Do Lenders Count Commission, Bonus, or Overtime Income?
Lenders can count commission, bonus, and overtime income, but they look for a consistent history and average it over two years. How each type is verified, what can hurt your case, and a labeled worked example.
Read the articleHow Much Money Do You Actually Need to Buy a House?
There is no single number. Plan for a down payment, closing costs, and a few months of reserves. Kladi Bejkolli breaks down the real upfront cash picture.
Read the articleWhat Are Mortgage Closing Costs, and Who Pays Them?
Closing costs are the fees you pay to finalize a home purchase, and they're separate from the down payment. What they cover, roughly what they run, and who typically pays, with a labeled $350,000 illustration.
Read the articleCan Seller Concessions Cover Your Closing Costs?
A seller concession can help cover your closing costs, but there are limits based on your loan type and down payment. How they work, the caps to expect, and how to use them wisely, with a labeled $300,000 illustration.
Read the articleHow Does Down Payment Assistance Work?
Down payment assistance can help qualified buyers cover the upfront costs of a home, but it's not free money. How grants, forgivable loans, and repayable loans really work, and where to find programs, with a labeled $250,000 illustration.
Read the articleTexas Down Payment Assistance: TSAHC, TDHCA, and What Buyers Should Compare
Texas buyers have real down payment assistance options through TSAHC and TDHCA. What the programs are, how they compare, and what to check before you apply, with a labeled $250,000 illustration.
Read the articleDo You Really Need 20% Down to Buy a Home?
The 20% down payment is a rule of thumb, not a requirement. What different down payment sizes really change, when PMI applies, and a labeled 5% vs 20% illustration.
Read the article3% vs. 5% vs. 10% Down: What Changes in Your Payment and Cash to Close?
How each down payment changes your loan amount, estimated monthly payment, cash to close, and whether mortgage insurance applies, with a labeled side-by-side illustration.
Read the articleFHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Costs Less for You?
FHA and conventional loans both get buyers into homes, but they cost differently. Down payment, mortgage insurance, and rate compared, with a labeled $300,000 illustration and when each one makes sense.
Read the articleWhen Does Mortgage Insurance Go Away?
PMI on a conventional loan can be removed once you have enough equity; FHA MIP is a different story. How each works, when it drops off, and how to plan for it.
Read the articleHow Much House Can I Afford on My Income?
Income, debts, down payment, and the full monthly payment: how lenders size a mortgage and how to find your realistic range, with a labeled worked example.
Read the articleWhy Two Homes With the Same Price Can Have Very Different Monthly Payments
Same price, different payment. Taxes, insurance, HOA dues, loan type, and down payment can move a monthly payment by hundreds of dollars, with a labeled side-by-side example on two $350,000 homes.
Read the articleWhat Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
There's no single credit score that unlocks homeownership. How scores factor into mortgage approval, rate tiers, and mortgage insurance, and what to do if yours isn't where you want it.
Read the articleCan You Qualify for a Mortgage With Credit Card Debt, a Car Loan, or Student Loans?
Most buyers have existing debt. Here's how lenders count credit cards, car loans, and student loans in your debt-to-income ratio, and what can help you qualify.
Read the articleMortgage Preapproval: What Documents Do You Need?
The three buckets that cover most preapproval document lists: proof of income, proof of assets, and identification, with a scannable checklist and how to gather everything so the process moves smoothly.
Read the articlePrequalified vs. Preapproved: Which Do You Need Before Making an Offer?
Prequalification is a quick estimate; preapproval is a document-backed step that sellers take seriously. Here is the difference, when to use each, and how long a preapproval lasts.
Read the articleWhat Does a $400,000 Home Cost Per Month in Houston?
A realistic look at the full monthly cost: principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA, with every assumption labeled.
Read the articleHow much money do you need to buy a home?
Down payment, closing costs, and reserves: what buying a home really costs up front, in plain language from mortgage professional Kladi Bejkolli.
Read the guidePrequalified vs preapproved: what is the difference?
Prequalification is a quick estimate; preapproval is a verified, conditional commitment. Kladi Bejkolli explains when you need each one.
Read the guideWhat affects your monthly mortgage payment?
Loan amount, rate, term, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance: the five levers that move your monthly mortgage payment, explained by Kladi Bejkolli.
Read the guideHow to compare two Loan Estimates
A plain-language guide to comparing Loan Estimates line by line: rate, monthly payment, loan costs, APR, and locked versus estimated items.
Read the guideWhen does refinancing make sense?
Rate-and-term, cash-out, and the break-even point: how to decide whether refinancing is worth it, explained in plain language by Kladi Bejkolli.
Read the guideHELOC vs cash-out refinance: which fits your equity?
Cash-out refinance gives you a new single mortgage and cash now; a HELOC is a flexible second lien. Kladi Bejkolli compares the tradeoffs.
Read the guideHow a DSCR loan works
A DSCR loan qualifies on the property's rental income, not your W-2. Kladi Bejkolli explains the ratio, who it fits, and why you should confirm it directly.
Read the guideWhat to ask a loan officer before you apply
The questions that reveal the real cost and real risk of a mortgage: rate and points, closing costs, full payment, what can change, and communication.
Read the guideThese guides are general education, not a quote, an offer of credit, or a guarantee. Programs and guidelines change by state and borrower, so Kladi confirms the details for your situation directly.
Guides give the general answer. Kladi runs your real numbers.
Tell him your goal and the state where the property is or will be, and get options with actual costs and tradeoffs, in plain language.
NMLS #1626841 · West Capital Lending, Inc. NMLS #1566096