You Might Be Closer to Buying
a Home Than You Think.
Here's How to Know for Sure.

This free checklist shows you exactly what mortgage lenders look at in plain language, from someone who spent 20 years on the approval side of that desk.

This Is For You If

Any of This Sounds Familiar...

You don't have to be in crisis to need this. You just have to be somewhere in between.

  • You're paying rent every month and wondering if you're actually close to being able to buy

  • You checked your credit score and you're not sure if it's good enough or what good enough even means for a mortgage

  • Someone mentioned DTI and you nodded along but you're not totally sure what it means for your situation

  • You want to talk to a lender but don't want to walk in without knowing what they're actually going to look at

  • You just want someone to explain it straight no sales pitch, no fluff, no one trying to sell you something

What's Inside

Everything Mortgage Lenders Actually Look At

Section by section the same things I reviewed from the lending chair for 20 years. Plain language. No fluff.

  • Your Real Mortgage Score vs What Apps Show You

    Credit Karma is not what lenders pull. The gap can be 50–100 points. This shows you exactly which score matters and how to get it.

  • Credit Card Balances — Why They Hurt Twice

    High balances lower your score AND inflate your DTI shrinking how much house you qualify for at the same time. Most people don't know this.

  • DTI — The Number That Determines Your Loan Amount

    Your score gets you in the door. Your debt-to-income ratio determines how much house you can actually buy. Know your number before any lender does.

  • Down Payment and What You Actually Need at Closing

    There's more than one number. Down payment, closing costs, and reserves this section breaks down exactly what to save for.

  • Employment and Income — The Part That Surprises People

    Great credit and solid income still isn't enough if your income isn't documented the way lenders need to see it. This section shows you what they're looking for.

  • Your Mortgage Ready Score

    Count your checkmarks and see exactly where you stand strong, close, or needs work before you walk into a lender's office.

20+

Years Lending

10K+

Reports Reviewed

Zero

BS Gimmicks

I'm Lisa.

Former Loan Officer · Underwriter · Board Certified Credit Consultant

For over 20 years I sat on the other side of the desk making lending decisions. I reviewed thousands of credit files and I know exactly what gets people approved and what gets them denied.

I didn't learn this from the internet. I learned it from inside the lender's chair.

"Most people think they're not ready. What they're really missing is someone who can show them exactly where they stand in plain language so they can make a real plan."