Ideally, you have steady employment and a down payment amount in mind — whether that’s from savings or a confirmed gift. You don’t need everything finalized, but the core pieces should be in place to determine what you qualify for. Reaching out early allows for thoughtful planning, rather than having to make quick calls under pressure.

To get started, you’ll complete an application and provide income documents for review.

For most employed clients, this typically includes:

• An employment letter

• A recent pay stub

If you’re self employed, I’ll usually ask for:

• Two years of tax returns

Additional documentation will be requested at a later date as part of the process, but this is what’s required to begin.

Once I’ve reviewed your application and supporting documents, I’ll outline the maximum purchase price you qualify for based on the information provided. This sets a range a lender is willing to consider — not what you’re expected to spend.

I review the monthly payment to make sure it feels manageable. The goal is clarity; you know what you’re committing to and can move forward feeling confident in the decision you’re making.

Clients who value clarity and structure tend to benefit most from working with me. You don’t need to have everything planned out, but being open to understanding your options and the trade-offs involved, makes the process easier to navigate. My focus is on providing clear guidance so you can make a decision with confidence.

Once your mortgage is in place, I remain a point of contact as questions come up or circumstances change. That may be at renewal, before a move, when you’re considering adjustments to your mortgage, or when you’re thinking about changes to your home. The goal is continuity, not a one-time decision made in isolation.

Refinancing is often considered when something has changed since the original mortgage was put in place. That can include consolidating higher-interest debts, funding education, or accessing equity already built into the home for a renovation or for investments.