Blog - Todd Uzzell

New Construction Loans vs Buying Existing Home

Todd Uzzell / June 12, 2026

New Construction vs. Buying an Existing Home: Which Makes More Sense? Building new gives you exactly what you want. Buying existing gets you in faster, with simpler financing. Neither is automatically the right answer — it depends on your timeline, your risk tolerance, and how much certainty you need about your monthly payment along the way. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 The Financing Difference Buying an existing home uses a standard mortgage — one closing, one set of terms, and a clear monthly payment from day one. Building new requires a construction […]

Mortgage Tips

Credit Score for Mortgage AZ 2026

Todd Uzzell / June 11, 2026

What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in Arizona? Your credit score is the single most impactful number in the mortgage qualification process — it affects not just whether you qualify, but what rate you’ll pay for the next 30 years. Here’s exactly what you need by loan type, and what’s changed recently. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 Minimum Credit Score by Loan Type Loan Type Minimum Score FHA 580 (3.5% down) or 500 (10% down) Conventional 620 typical VA No official minimum; most lenders require 580-620 USDA 640 […]

Mortgage Tips

Jumbo Loans Phoenix What You Need to Know

Todd Uzzell / June 10, 2026

Jumbo Loans in Phoenix: What You Need to Know Buying in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or anywhere else in the Phoenix metro where home prices climb past the conforming loan limit? You’re going to need a jumbo loan. Here’s the short version of what that actually means for you. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 The Short Version Question Answer What’s the limit before I need jumbo? $806,500 in Maricopa County for 2026 What credit score do I need? 700+, sometimes 720+ How much down? Often 10-20%, varies by lender Are rates much higher? […]

Mortgage Tips

How Much Down Payment Phoenix 2026

Todd Uzzell / June 9, 2026

How Much Down Payment Do You Really Need in Phoenix? If there’s one mortgage myth I bust more than any other, it’s the 20% down payment requirement. Time and again, I hear from buyers who’ve been renting for years, sitting on the sidelines, convinced they need a massive pile of cash before they can even start looking. They don’t. Here’s what you actually need, by loan type, plus how Arizona’s assistance programs can shrink that number even further. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 What You Actually Need, By Loan Type Loan Type […]

Mortgage Tips

Self Employed Mortgage Loans Arizona

Todd Uzzell / June 8, 2026

Self-Employed Mortgage Loans in Arizona Being self-employed doesn’t disqualify you from a mortgage — it just means more documentation. Lenders need to see that your income is both real and stable, which works differently than reviewing a W-2 and pay stubs. Here’s exactly how self-employed Arizona buyers qualify, and what to do if your tax returns make your income look lower than it actually is. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 How Lenders Calculate Self-Employed Income For traditional loan programs, lenders typically average your net business income (not gross revenue) over the past […]

Mortgage Tips

Gift Funds Down Payment Rules 2026

Todd Uzzell / June 6, 2026

Gift Funds for Your Down Payment: 2026 Rules Yes, family can give you money for your down payment — and for most loan programs, gift funds can cover the entire down payment, not just part of it. Lenders just need documentation proving it’s truly a gift, not a loan you’ll have to repay. Here’s exactly how it works in 2026. 🏆 20+ Years in Arizona 🔒 NMLS #1525192 ⭐ 500+ 5-Star Reviews 📞 480-330-1724 How Much of Your Down Payment Can Be a Gift? Loan Type Gift Coverage FHA 100% of the 3.5% minimum down payment VA 100% — though VA […]

Mortgage Tips

First Time Homebuyer Guide Phoenix 2026

Todd Uzzell / June 5, 2026

2026 Edition · Phoenix, AZ First-Time Homebuyer Guide Phoenix, Arizona 2026 Everything you need to know about buying your first home in the Phoenix metro — from credit scores and loan options to down payment assistance and closing day. By Todd Uzzell, NMLS #1525192 · Updated June 2026 · 15 min read Home › Blog › First-Time Homebuyer Guide Phoenix 2026 What’s In This Guide Phoenix Housing Market in 2026 Are You Ready to Buy? Credit Score & Financial Preparation Loan Options for First-Time Buyers Down Payment & Assistance Programs Getting Pre-Approved The Homebuying Process Step-by-Step Closing Costs in Phoenix […]

Mortgage Tips

Current Mortgage Rate Phoenix 2026

Todd Uzzell / June 5, 2026

June 2026 · Phoenix, AZ Current Mortgage Rates in Phoenix, AZ — June 2026 Today’s rate context for Phoenix buyers — what’s driving rates, how to compare them accurately, and how your credit score, down payment, and loan type affect the rate you’re quoted. By Todd Uzzell, NMLS #1525192 · Updated June 2026 · 11 min read Home › Blog › Current Mortgage Rates Phoenix June 2026 In This Guide Rate Context: June 2026 Rates by Loan Type What Drives Your Personal Rate How Credit Score Affects Your Rate Rate Lock vs Float Rate Impact on Monthly Payment How to […]

VA Loans

VA Loans Phoenix 2026

Todd Uzzell / April 27, 2026

Complete Guide for Veterans Buying a Home in the Valley If you’re a veteran searching “VA loans Phoenix 2026” or asking what the program offers right now, here’s the straightforward answer: VA loans remain one of the strongest advantages for buying a home in the Valley this year. With no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive rates, they continue to help veterans achieve homeownership even in today’s market. As a local Phoenix mortgage expert who works with many veterans, I see how powerful these loans are — especially when paired with the right calculators and local market knowledge. […]

Home-loan

Mortgage Rates April 2026 in Phoenix

Todd Uzzell / April 24, 2026

What Arizona Homebuyers Need to Know Right Now If you’re wondering what mortgage rates are doing in April 2026 or how they affect buying a home in Phoenix, here’s the clear answer. As of April 20, 2026, 30-year fixed mortgage rates in Arizona are averaging 6.33%–6.45%, depending on your credit, loan type, and lender. Rates have been relatively stable this spring, but they still move daily based on broader economic signals. As a local Phoenix mortgage expert, I explain this to first-time buyers, move-up families, veterans, retirees, and new construction clients every day. Understanding the basics helps you make confident […]