News & Blog

Buying a home is a big step, and every dollar saved makes a difference. That's why we're excited to share some good news: mortgage insurance (MI) premiums will now be permanently tax-deductible again. This update takes effect with the 2026 tax return (filed in 2027) , giving buyers and homeowners time to prepare and plan. Why This Matters For many first-time homebuyers, MI makes homeownership possible by reducing the upfront cash needed for a down payment. Instead of saving the traditional 20%, buyers can purchase a home with as little as 3–5% down, with MI protecting the lender. Now that these premiums are tax-deductible, the long-term cost of owning a home has become more affordable. Here's a Closer Look at How It Works Household income under $100,000: You can deduct 100% of your MI premiums each year. Income up to $110,000: You may still qualify for a partial deduction. Average past savings: Homeowners have saved more than $1,400 annually when this deduction was previously in place. The Bigger Picture If you're buying a home soon, this change could help offset monthly costs and make it easier to find a payment that fits comfortably in your budget. If you own a home with MI, this deduction could put real money back in your pocket each year. What's Next? Everyone's financial situation is different, and while MI tax deductibility is a valuable benefit, the best strategy for you may depend on factors like income, loan type, and long-term plans. The Sharpe Mortgage Team is here to help you understand your options and guide you through how this update may apply to your home financing. Have questions about how this could benefit you? Call the Sharpe Team at 336-575-9448. We're happy to walk you through the details .

It’s back-to-school season, which makes it the perfect time for a quick refresher on mortgage terms that can make or break a deal. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned homeowner, or an investor brushing up on the lingo, understanding these basics can help you make confident, informed decisions.  Here are five key terms every buyer should know: Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) Your DTI measures how much of your income goes toward debt each month. Lenders use this number to see how comfortably you can take on a mortgage. A lower ratio is better—but self-employed borrowers sometimes need extra guidance on documenting income. (Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!) Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV) LTV compares the loan amount to the home’s value. It’s a significant factor in approval, interest rates, and whether you’ll need private mortgage insurance (PMI). For buyers putting down less than 20%, this number really matters. Rate Lock Mortgage rates can shift daily, and timing matters. A rate lock secures your interest rate for a set period to protect you from sudden market changes. It’s a key tool for peace of mind while your loan is in process. Escrow Escrow accounts are designed to make homeownership more straightforward. However, they can still cause confusion. Think of escrow as a holding account that covers property taxes and insurance. Understanding how it works can keep surprises off your monthly statement. Debt Service Coverage Ratio For investors, this is the golden term. DSCR looks at rental income instead of personal income to qualify for a loan. That means no tax returns are required in many cases—making it easier to expand a real estate portfolio. At the end of the day, mortgage terms don’t have to be intimidating. With guidance, they become tools you can use to your advantage. Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or exploring investment opportunities, The Sharpe Mortgage Team is here to help. Contact us anytime at 336-575-9448 —we’d love to discuss your options.

Buying a new home is exciting, but if you're like many other homeowners, you can feel stuck waiting for your current home to sell before moving forward. That waiting game creates stress and sometimes causes you to miss out on the perfect house. For many, the question becomes: Do I risk carrying two mortgages, or do I risk losing out on the perfect home? That's where the Buy Before You Sell program from Highlands Residential Mortgage comes in. Designed as a bridge loan alternative, this program gives homeowners confidence and flexibility, allowing you to buy your next home first and sell your current one on your timeline: How It Works Here are four ways this program makes the process easier: Find your dream home first. With Buy Before You Sell, you can start the purchase process immediately without waiting for your current home to sell. Boost your buying power. Your existing mortgage may be excluded from your debt-to-income ratio, making qualifying for your new loan easier without worrying about carrying two mortgages. Tap into your equity. Need funds for a down payment? We can help advance the equity from your current home so you don't have to wait for it to sell. Stay in control. You'll be free to market and sell your home at full value, without feeling rushed or pressured. Why Homeowners Love It The Buy Before You Sell program takes the stress out of one of life's most significant financial transitions. Instead of juggling contingencies and tight timelines, you get to move into your new home first, then sell your old one when the time is right. For families, that could mean settling into a new school district without delay. For others, it might mean securing that dream home in a competitive market without missing out. Is This Program Right for You? Every homeowner's situation is unique, and the best way to find out if Buy Before You Sell is the right fit is to talk with a mortgage professional. Whether you're a move-up buyer, downsizing, or simply trying to avoid the stress of buying and selling a home at the same time, we're here to guide you through your options. Call the Sharpe Mortgage Team today at 336-575-9448 to learn how to buy your next home without waiting to sell your current one.

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between the paperwork, the deadlines, and the big decisions, the last thing you need is uncertainty or long stretches without updates. That’s why we make it a point to over-communicate, on purpose. We aim to make the mortgage process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Clear, consistent communication isn’t just helpful —it’s essential. When you know exactly what’s happening at every stage, you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.: Here's what that looks like in practice: Regular updates so you never have to wonder what's next. Straightforward explanations that cut through the jargon. Proactive check-ins so you're always a step ahead. Our clients tell us this makes all the difference: "They kept me updated before I even had a chance to ask." “Every step was clearly explained. No surprises.” “I never had to follow up. They were already on it.” We know buying a home is one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make. You deserve to feel informed, supported, and in control every step of the way — and that’s precisely what our communication style delivers. Experience a mortgage process where you’re always in the know. Call the Sharpe Mortgage Team at 336-575-9448 to get started. Let’s get you home!

Zero Down. No Mortgage Insurance. Big Potential. We're always looking for new ways to help our clients achieve their homeownership goals, especially when life and career changes are happening simultaneously. We're excited to share a new loan program available exclusively through Highlands Residential Mortgage: The Huntington Bank Doctor Program Designed for physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and other medical professionals, this program helps remove some of the most common roadblocks to homeownership, like student loan debt or limited savings after years of schooling. Here's what makes this loan stand out: 100% financing available up to $1 million —no down payment required No mortgage insurance (MI) —even with less than 20% down Loan amounts up to $2.5 million —ideal for those looking to scale up Flexible guidelines for student loans and new employment contracts Eligible for purchase or rate-term refinance (no cash-out) Condos and modular homes are allowed Whether you're finishing your residency, relocating for a new position, or just starting to build your future, you deserve a financing solution that understands your journey. This program was designed to meet the unique needs of medical professionals, making homeownership more accessible, less stressful, and better aligned with your career path. Call The Sharpe Mortgage Team at 336-575-9448 to learn more. We'll help you explore your options and see if this specialized program aligns with your goals.

If you've ever applied for a mortgage and suddenly found yourself bombarded with calls, texts, or emails from unfamiliar lenders, you're not alone. What you experienced was likely the result of a "trigger lead." What Are Trigger Leads? Trigger leads are a marketing tool used by some lenders and credit bureaus. When you apply for a mortgage and authorize a credit check, the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) may flag that activity and sell your information to other mortgage lenders. These companies use your recent inquiry as a "trigger" to reach out and compete for your business—often within hours of your application. These leads can result in dozens of unsolicited contacts from companies you've never heard of. Some might sound aggressive or misleading, which can be unsettling, especially during an exciting homebuying journey. Why Does This Happen When lenders pull your credit for a mortgage, it signals to the bureaus that you're actively shopping for a home loan. That makes your information incredibly valuable to other lenders, who pay for access to try and win you over before you commit. Unfortunately, even though you're working with a trusted mortgage team, other companies don't hesitate to step in with pressure tactics or confusing pitches. Can You Stop Trigger Leads? The short answer is that you can reduce them but stopping them entirely requires a bit of effort. Here's how to protect your information and your peace of mind: Opt Out Before You Apply Visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). This is the official site for opting out of pre-screened credit offers from the major bureaus. You can opt out for 5 years by submitting your information online or permanently by completing and mailing a form. Timing matters: Do this a few days before your credit is pulled to ensure the opt-out takes effect in time. Register with the Do Not Call List While this won't stop all calls from trigger leads, it can help reduce general telemarketing. Register at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Let Us Know We understand how frustrating trigger leads can be. Let our team know if you're being contacted, and we'll help you verify what's legitimate and what's not. Why We Don't Use Trigger Leads We believe in building relationships—not buying them. The Sharpe Mortgage Team does not purchase or act on trigger leads. If you're hearing from us, you reached out first. And that's how it should be. Final Thoughts Buying a home should be exciting, not stressful. Trigger leads may be legal, but they can feel like an invasion of privacy. If you plan to apply for a mortgage soon, take a few simple steps to protect yourself. And if you're already working with the Sharpe Mortgage Team, know that you've got a team of professionals standing by your side—no pressure, no gimmicks. Have questions about the mortgage process? Call our team today at 336-575-9448. We're always here to help.

Whether you’ve called Winston-Salem home for years or are just starting to explore the area, one thing is for sure—this city leaves an impression. With its unique blend of Southern charm, cultural richness, and small-town friendliness, it’s easy to see why so many people are proud to plant roots here. If you’re considering a move, here are five reasons locals love living in Winston-Salem: 1. The Best of Both Worlds: City Life with Small-Town Feel Winston-Salem strikes a rare balance. It’s big enough to offer family-friendly activities, local events, and convenient shopping, yet small enough to feel like home. You’ll find tight-knit neighborhoods, friendly faces, and a sense of community that makes everyday life more meaningful. 2. An Affordable Place to Call Home Compared to other North Carolina cities, Winston-Salem offers a lower cost of living and affordable housing options. From historic homes in Ardmore to new builds in growing areas like Clemmons and Kernersville, there’s something here for every lifestyle and budget. 3. A Food Scene That's Worth Savoring From farm-to-table favorites to long-standing local staples, Winston-Salem’s culinary scene is one to brag about. Whether grabbing coffee from Camino Bakery, enjoying barbecue from Little Richard’s, or exploring fine dining downtown, there’s no shortage of spots to satisfy your cravings. 4. Art, Culture, and History Around Every Corner Locals take pride in the city’s thriving arts landscape and historic roots. Home to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, and several festivals throughout the year, Winston-Salem has plenty of things to see, do, and experience. It’s a city that celebrates creativity and honors its past. 5. Outdoor Spaces and Weekend Adventures Love to get outside? With nearby hiking trails, greenways, and beautiful parks like Salem Lake, Winston-Salem makes it easy to enjoy nature. Plus, you’re just a short drive from the Blue Ridge Mountains—perfect for a weekend escape. Thinking of Making Winston-Salem Home? Whether relocating, upsizing, downsizing, or just exploring your options, the Sharpe Mortgage Team is here to help make your move seamless. Give us a call at 336-575-9448 to talk through your homeownership goals. We live here, we love it here—and we’d love to welcome you home.

For the Sharpe Mortgage Team, feedback is more than a formality. It’s how we ensure we’re showing up the way our clients need us to. One of the most effective ways we track that is through the Net Promoter Score or NPS. What Is NPS? Net Promoter Score is a widely used customer satisfaction metric that measures how likely someone is to recommend a business to others based on one simple but powerful question: “On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend us to a friend or colleague?” Responses fall into three categories: Promoters (9–10): Clients who had a great experience and are likely to refer friends and family. Passives (7–8): Those who are satisfied but not necessarily enthusiastic. Detractors (0–6): Those who didn’t feel fully supported and may be unlikely to return. The NPS is calculated by subtracting the percentage of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters. The final score ranges from -100 to +100. How the Sharpe Team Uses NPS We don’t collect Net Promotor Scores for the sake of appearances. We use them to listen. We review every piece of feedback, and if there is a reason to celebrate or improve, we do both. That means we’re not just checking boxes but finding ways to do better every time. For the Sharpe Team, this is simply part of the process. We take the time to communicate, follow through, and make sure our clients feel supported from start to finish. It’s not about chasing a perfect score but consistency in how we show up, one conversation at a time. Ashley McKenzie-Sharpe's Net Promoter Score for 2024 was 94.92 That number reflects hundreds of client experiences, including buyers, refinancers, and families who felt heard, informed, and cared for throughout the loan process. We’re proud of the score. But more importantly, we’re proud of what it says: that we’re doing right by the people who trust us during one of life’s most significant financial moments. Questions? We're Just a Call Away If you plan to buy, refinance, or have questions about your options, The Sharpe Team is here to help. Call us at 336-575-9448 to start the conversation—no pressure, just straightforward guidance.