If you’re like most people, your home is likely one of the largest financial assets you own. As retirement approaches, your home can play an important role in your overall financial strategy. Whether you’re planning to stay put, downsize, or move to be closer to family, understanding how homeownership fits into your retirement plan.. View Article

The post Retirement Planning for Homeowners: What to Know Before You Retire appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

  Is bigger always better? For decades, that was the general sentiment when it came to buying a home. More square footage, more bedrooms, and more storage space were common goals for many buyers.   Today, however, a growing percentage of homebuyers are intentionally choosing smaller homes and in many cases, it’s not because they.. View Article

The post Why Some Buyers Are Choosing Smaller Homes on Purpose appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

A common question many homebuyers ask is, “What if I buy a home and then mortgage rates go down?”   It’s a fair concern. Nobody wants to feel like they missed out on a better deal. The good news is that lower rates after closing don’t mean you’re stuck. In fact, there are several options.. View Article

The post What Happens if Mortgage Rates Drop After You Buy? appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

 Relocating, regardless of the reason, is typically an exciting time. But, if you’re also trying to buy a home at the same time, things can become complicated quickly.   You’re juggling timelines, logistics, finances, and big decisions, often from a distance. The good news is that with the right approach and the right team by.. View Article

The post Relocating for Work? How to Navigate Buying in a New City appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

Plymouth, Minn. — Sarah Zahler and Matt O’Brien at Summit Mortgage Corporation were named Top Producers by Minnesota Housing for their homeownership program loan production volume during 2025.

The post Minnesota Housing recognizes Sarah Zahler and Matt O’Brien as a Top Producer appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

If you’re self-employed, you already know the tradeoff: more freedom, but less predictability. This is especially true on paper, and when it comes to securing financing for a home purchase, lenders tend to focus heavily on consistency and documentation.   That doesn’t mean buying a home is out of reach. It just means the path.. View Article

The post Buying a home as a Self-Employed Borrower: What Lenders Look For appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

When you think of buying a home, the first thing that comes to mind might be debt. After all, a mortgage is the largest financial obligation that most people will ever take on. The often overlooked part, however, is that buying a home doesn’t just add debt to your plate – it has a considerable.. View Article

The post How buying a home impacts your net worth appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

Many first-time homebuyers are already used to making a significant monthly rent payment. So, it’s not usually the monthly mortgage payment that stands as a barrier to homeownership. More often, it’s the significant amount of upfront cash needed to cover a down payment and the closing costs on the loan.   It’s not uncommon for.. View Article

The post Stacking Strategies: Combining Down Payment Assistance + Seller Credits appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

As the snow continues to melt and the sunshine lasts through your evening commute, another natural cycle begins to shift – the Spring housing market.   Balancing affordability pressures, rising inventory, and renewed buyer interest, the Spring 2026 housing market is primed for launch after several years of elevated mortgage rates and lower sales activity... View Article

The post Summit Perspectives: Spring 2026 Housing Market Update appeared first on Summit Mortgage.

 If you’re a current homeowner or in the process of buying a home, you’ve probably heard the word “escrow”. It’s one of those mortgage terms that gets used often but isn’t always clearly explained. So, let’s break it down.

The post Getting to know ESCROW appeared first on Summit Mortgage.