Troy Brakefield - NMLS 1550123

09/08/2026

Headline says Vantage "announcements cause credit commotion" but the article is a bit more nuanced.

Mortgage industry groups welcome expanded use of VantageScore 4.0, debate the potential end of the tri-merge requirement

09/07/2026

With Fannie Mae's recent update to rental income on a departing residence, say goodbye to:
- A signed lease agreement.
- Chasing security deposit and first months rent (or deal with payments that were in cash)
- Having a tenant lined up.

For eligible departing residences, Fannie no longer requires a lease agreement and documentation that it went into effect! Now they just require a 1007 to show market rent and that's it.

We would still use 75% of that amount to help offset the existing mortgage payment.

09/05/2026

IT'S TRUE! Freddie Mac does allow for twice-moved manufactured homes under certain conditions! (Call me!)

03/28/2026

Hanging out with "Tree-sa" and the "Easter Bonnie" at the Spring Home & Garden Show presented by Keep Greenville Beautiful! Come see us at the library!

03/09/2026

I have awesome clients!

01/19/2026

"Mankind's survival is dependent on man's ability to solve the problems of racial injustice, poverty, and war; the solution of these problems is in turn dependent upon man's squaring his moral progress with his scientific progress, and learning the practical art of living in harmony."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

12/22/2025

Federal Reserve votes to reappoint 11 of 12 regional bank presidents, with the exception of Raphael Bostic, who is retiring.

11/24/2025

This past weekend I spent an hour and a half on a Sunday walking a property with a client and her father, coached a past client on how to file for homestead exemption via video chat, and advised how to fix a garbage disposal in less than a minute.

I also do loans ... 😎

Be sure to find the mortgage advisor that works best for you.

11/11/2025

Who Really Wins with a 50-Year Mortgage? (Hint: Not You)

The idea is tempting: stretch your loan to 50 years and save a few hundred dollars a month. But this is a win for the banks, plain and simple.

Let's look at the true cost of that small monthly break:
Your $220/month savings could cost your family an extra $300,000 (or more!) in total interest.

The longer the term, the more interest accrues—it’s the exponential power of time working against you. Don't finance the bank's retirement with your home loan. Aim for the shortest term you can comfortably afford.

10/02/2025

Does a federal government shutdown affect a home purchase? Only in certain cases at this point, but it could change depending on how long it lasts.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 (𝗙𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲/𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲) - No impact.
𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗲 - Will continue issuing securities.
𝗩𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻𝘀 - Still operational, but appraisals may take longer.
𝗙𝗛𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻𝘀 - Single-family loans can continue to close. Some condo approvals and staff responses may be delayed.
𝗨𝗦𝗗𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻𝘀 - No new commitments or guarantees will be issued during shutdown. Loans with existing commitments can still close, and USDA will guarantee them once operations resume.
𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀 - IRS expects to remain fully operational - no disruption anticipated.
𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - No change - validations must still be received prior to closing.
𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 - NFIP may pause new or renewal policies. Private flood coverage is an option.
𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - If furloughed, income cannot be used for qualification until they return to work.