Carolina Mortgage Insights with Paul Mattos
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New Fannie Mae Rule Makes It Easier to Turn Your Current Home Into a Rental
Keeping your current home as a rental? Fannie Mae's new rule uses market rent instead of a signed lease. Here's how the 75% calculation and reserves work.
House Hacking vs Traditional Investing
Should you house hack or buy a traditional rental property? Compare occupancy rules, down payments, rental-income qualification, privacy, reserves, cash flow and long-term investment goals.
What Down Payment Is Needed for Investment Property?
Most investment-property buyers should plan for 20% to 25% down, although Fannie Mae may permit 15% on an eligible one-unit conventional purchase. Learn how lender requirements, DSCR loans, credit, reserves and closing costs affect the cash you need.
Can Airbnb Income Help You Qualify?
Can Airbnb income help you qualify for a mortgage? Learn how conventional, DSCR, and bank statement lenders evaluate short-term rental income in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Short-Term Rental Loans Explained
Learn how short-term rental loans work, including conventional, second-home, and DSCR financing for Airbnb and vacation-rental properties in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Best Areas Around Charlotte for Rental Properties
Explore the best areas around Charlotte for rental properties, including Matthews, Concord, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Rock Hill, and Gastonia. Compare cash flow, appreciation potential, renter demand, HOA restrictions, and financing considerations before investing.
Can First-Time Buyers Buy Investment Property?
First-time buyers do not necessarily have to purchase a traditional primary home before investing in real estate. Learn how conventional investment loans, house hacking, FHA, VA, DSCR financing, rental income, down payments, and reserve requirements may affect your first purchase.
How Many Mortgages Can You Have?
There is no universal limit on how many mortgages you can have, but conventional guidelines, reserves, debt-to-income ratios, rental income, and lender requirements can limit your options. Learn how investors finance multiple rental properties and what happens after reaching 10 financed properties.
Can You Use Rental Income to Qualify?
Rental income may help you qualify for a mortgage, but lenders typically use specific calculations and documentation rather than simply accepting the full rent. Learn how income from existing rentals, new investment properties, house hacking, departing residences, short-term rentals, and DSCR loans may be treated.
DSCR vs Conventional Investment Loans
Compare DSCR and conventional investment loans, including income documentation, rental calculations, rates, fees, down payments, reserves, LLC ownership, portfolio limits, and prepayment penalties. Learn which financing strategy may fit your rental property and long-term investment goals.
What Is Cash Flow in Real Estate?
Cash flow is the money remaining after a rental property’s income and expenses are calculated. Learn how to estimate rental-property cash flow, which costs to include, how financing affects the numbers, and why DSCR and mortgage qualification are not the same as actual profit.
How to Buy Your First Rental Property
Learn how to buy your first rental property, from choosing an investment strategy and financing to estimating rent, calculating cash flow, making an offer, completing inspections, and preparing for your first tenant.
Can I Buy a House Before Selling Mine? A Move-Up Buyer's Guide for NC and SC
Buying a new home before selling yours? Learn how lenders count both mortgages, ways to fund the down payment, and what changes if you keep your current home as a rental.
What Credit Score Is Needed for a DSCR Loan?
There is no universal DSCR loan credit-score minimum. Learn how lenders weigh credit alongside rental coverage, down payment, reserves, and property details.
Can You Buy an Airbnb Property With a DSCR Loan?
You may be able to finance an Airbnb with a DSCR loan. Learn how lenders assess short-term rental income and what to verify before buying.
How Investors Finance Multiple Rental Properties
Buying another rental takes more than a down payment. Compare conventional, DSCR, equity, and portfolio financing as your property count and reserve needs grow.
Can LLCs Buy Investment Properties?
An LLC can own rental property, but the financing must permit entity ownership. Learn how DSCR loans, guarantees, title, reserves, and documents work.
Investment Property Loans in Charlotte: Conventional, DSCR and Other Options for Investors
Buying a rental in Charlotte? Compare conventional investment loans and DSCR loans, down payments, reserves, house hacking and how NC and SC tax rentals differently.
South Carolina Non-QM Loans: What They Are and Who They're For
Self-employed, investing in rentals, or need an interest-only option? Here's how non-QM loans work in South Carolina, the main types, and what to compare before you apply.