Home Truths with Jen

Welcome to The Loan Down — your no-pressure update on mortgage and housing news, with the info you need delivered clearly, simply, and without the stress.

How Hidden Debt Destroys Couples During Homebuying

Buying a house as a couple should be exciting but for so many, it becomes the moment everything falls apart. After 18 years as a top mortgage loan officer, I’ve seen relationships unravel during the home loan process because people didn’t talk about money before applying. In this video, I’m b...

by Jennifer Beeston — Sep 10, 2025

DTI Basics for First-Time Homebuyers: Understand What You Can Really Afford

Understanding debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the most important — and overlooked — parts of getting ready to buy a home. It plays a huge role in whether a mortgage gets approved and whether the payment will actually feel affordable once it kicks in. This video breaks down how lenders view D...

by Jennifer Beeston — Sep 05, 2025

Think That Lender Is Legit? Think Again.

Mortgage scams are getting more sophisticated by the day, and with AI and online impersonation tactics on the rise, it’s getting harder to tell who’s real. In this video, I walk through how to verify if a mortgage lender is legitimate before handing over any sensitive information. From AI-generat...

Sep 01, 2025

Is That Old House a Good Deal or a Money Trap?

This video breaks down the key things buyers need to consider before purchasing an older home—especially properties built in the 1930s or earlier. From potential historic designations to costly updates like electrical, plumbing, foundation work, and HVAC, older homes come with unique challenges. ...

Aug 29, 2025

Why Mortgage Rejections Are Up in 2025 — And What Lenders Aren’t Telling You

In 2025, getting a mortgage isn’t harder due to stricter lending rules — it’s harder because automated systems and undertrained loan officers are causing unnecessary rejections. Many applications are denied over simple errors or misclicks on online forms, not actual qualifications. The real issue...

Aug 25, 2025

Why do mortgage lenders want six payments before refinancing?

In this video, I explain the truth behind the 6-payment rule—especially for conventional loans. While FHA and VA loans have official seasoning requirements, conventional loans technically allow you to refinance anytime. So why do lenders push the six-month wait? It comes down to loan officer comp...

Aug 25, 2025

Three Key Steps to Buying a House Before 2026 Every Homebuyer Needs

If you're thinking about buying a home before 2026, you should definitely watch this video. I break down exactly why starting the process now—not later—is key if you want to avoid being rushed, stressed, or stuck renewing another lease. I walk you through what a realistic timeline looks like: bud...

Aug 21, 2025

How Homeowner's Can Save Big on Property Taxes

Buying a home should be exciting, not stressful. That's why my team and I are here to guide you through every step of the journey and take the guesswork out of the process. This week, I'm sharing a video that breaks down how to manage your property taxes, spot common errors, and potentially save ...

Aug 21, 2025

Biggest Mistakes I See Homeowners Make

In this video, I’m sharing some of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen homeowners make — so you don’t have to. From phishing emails and fake mail offers to shady refinance traps and foreclosure scams, I walk you through what to watch out for and how to protect yourself. I also talk about those annoyin...

Aug 19, 2025