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
Fannie Mae’s new departing-residence rule may allow homebuyers to use supported market rent without first finding a tenant or signing a lease. Learn how the 75% calculation, full housing expense, and reserve requirements 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.