Mortgage News & Tips from Chris Shumate | Fairway Home Mortgage
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The Lowest Rate Isn’t Always the Best Lender: What Homebuyers Need to Know
When you’re shopping for a mortgage, it’s natural to compare interest rates. After all, the rate affects your monthly payment and the overall cost of your loan. But here’s something many homebuyers don’t realize: The lender with the lowest interest rate isn’t always the best lender. In today’s competitive housing market, choosing the right mortgage…
Condo Financing Is Changing This August 2026: Here’s What Buyers & Realtors Need to Know
If you’re buying or selling a condo with conventional financing, there’s an important change taking effect August 3, 2026. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are retiring the Limited Review (Fannie Mae) and Streamlined Review (Freddie Mac) processes for established condominium projects. Going forward, most condo transactions will require a Full Project Review. What Does This…
The Mortgage Phone Call That Can Win Your Home Offer
When you’re buying a home in a competitive market, every advantage matters. Many buyers focus on offering more money, waiving contingencies, or writing a personal letter. While those strategies can help in certain situations, there’s one simple step that often gets overlooked—and it can make a significant difference. A phone call from your mortgage lender…
What Can Make or Break a Smooth Mortgage Closing?
Buying a home is exciting, but the final stretch—the mortgage closing process—is where many buyers can unknowingly create obstacles for themselves. As a mortgage professional with more than 25 years of experience helping families achieve homeownership, I’ve seen firsthand that a smooth mortgage closing often comes down to preparation, communication, and avoiding common mistakes. My…
The Biggest Homebuying Mistake? Waiting Too Long to Get Pre-Approved
Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step Before House Hunting One of the biggest mistakes Chris Shumate sees homebuyers make isn’t choosing the wrong home—it’s waiting until they’ve already found the perfect home before getting pre-approved. Watch Chris explain in this quick video: 👉 Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/MX3OhOWQjOg If you’ve started browsing homes online, attending open…
Your Mortgage Payment Went Up — Here’s Why
If you’ve opened your mortgage statement recently and thought, “Why did my payment go up?” — you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask. The good news? In most cases, there’s a clear explanation—and even better, there are ways to plan for it. 🎥 Watch: Quick Breakdown The Real Reason…
Condo Financing Just Opened Up: What Buyers and Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Condo Financing Is Opening Back Up If condos have felt difficult—or even impossible—to finance over the past few years, you’re not alone. Rising insurance costs, stricter lending guidelines, and project eligibility issues created major roadblocks for buyers and homeowners. The good news? That’s changing. Recent updates from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are opening the…
What’s Really Moving Mortgage Rates Right Now? A Clear Look at the Forces Pushing Up—and Pulling Down
If you’ve been watching mortgage rates lately and wondering, “Why do they seem so unpredictable?” — you’re not alone. Behind the scenes, investors in the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market are constantly adjusting expectations. Most recently, we’ve seen a meaningful shift: the probability of a March 2026 Fed rate cut has dropped by more than 10%…
Chris Shumate – Fairway Home Mortgage Voted Best of Gwinnett 2025
Chris Shumate – Fairway Home Mortgage Voted Best of Gwinnett 2025 We are honored and excited to announce that Chris Shumate – Fairway Home Mortgage has been officially Voted Best of Gwinnett 2025 in the Financial Services category! This recognition is especially meaningful because Best of Gwinnett is determined by community votes and customer support…
Using Your Tax Refund for a Down Payment on a Home
Tax season often brings a welcome financial boost. For many buyers, a tax refund can be the extra push needed to move from “thinking about buying” to actually becoming a homeowner. If you’re planning to buy a home in Georgia or anywhere in the Southeast, your tax refund may be a smart way to help…
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Contact Us:
Chris Shumate | NMLS: 627360 | Senior Loan Officer and Sales Manager
1810 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 235 Duluth, GA 30097 | 404-791-3155 | chriss@fairwaymc.com | www.chrishumatefairway.com
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