Creekside Mortgage - Blog

New VA Home Loan Update: Veterans Can Now Cover Buyer-Broker Fees The VA has made a significant change to its home loan program. These changes give veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses even more flexibility in the home-buying process....

As 2025 approaches, veterans and active-duty service members can expect key updates that will impact their home-buying options and financial security. This year brings increased VA benefits, a higher conforming loan limit, and the launch of VASAFE. This is a new tool...

Strategy in the Home Buying Process If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member, buying a home may be more affordable than you think. With a VA loan, it’s possible to purchase a home with $0.00 down payment and $0.00 out of pocket for closing costs. Let’s break...

Understanding Fed Rate Cuts and Their Impact on Mortgage Rates When the Federal Reserve (the Fed) announces a cut in the federal funds rate (EFFR), it often generates buzz in the financial world. Many people mistakenly believe that this directly lowers mortgage rates,...

In a landmark announcement, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has revealed its latest initiative, the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program. This groundbreaking program, slated to roll out on May 31, 2024, aims to extend crucial support to over...

Introduction In the wake of a recent $418 million settlement announced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the landscape of real estate transactions is undergoing a significant transformation. The traditional real estate commission structure, typically...

Welcome to Creekside Mortgage’s guide on closing costs. In the world of real estate transactions, understanding closing costs is crucial for both buyers and sellers. In this comprehensive post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of closing costs, exploring the reasons...

Home equity, the cornerstone of wealth accumulation in homeownership, is a topic of significant interest, especially in regions like Idaho's Treasure Valley. Here, amidst the scenic landscapes and thriving real estate market, understanding the nuances of home equity...

Expanding Opportunities for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members Did you know that as a veteran or active-duty service member, you can utilize your VA benefits multiple times? Contrary to popular belief, VA loans aren't limited to just one-time use. In fact, you...

A VA appraisal stands out among other loan programs due to its unique features tailored to veterans and service members. Unlike conventional appraisals, VA appraisals prioritize the interests of both buyers and sellers by ensuring a fair assessment of the property's...

Nestled in the heart of Idaho’s Treasure Valley lies a vibrant community dedicated to honoring veterans. From Boise to Nampa, Meridian to Caldwell, this region pulsates with gratitude, offering events for veterans. Among these stands Creekside Mortgage, a...

Understanding the Crucial Role of Debt-to-Income Ratio The debt-to-income ratio plays a pivotal role in determining loan eligibility and terms for a VA home loan. While the VA does not set a strict requirement, most lenders adhere to a 50% or lower guideline. This...

For veterans and service members, the VA allows financing of up to $4 million with a remarkable feature of 100% financing. This is a significant advantage, especially for those who qualify based on their entitlement. However, it's crucial to be aware of potential...

Closing costs associated with a VA home loan offer flexibility in terms of negotiation and payment responsibilities. Buyers, sellers, or both parties can bear these costs, providing room for financial arrangements that suit the specific transaction. Notably, the VA...

In Washington State, the ease of purchasing a VA home depends on factors such as market conditions, property availability, and individual financial circumstances. For eligible veterans, VA loans present several advantages that can facilitate home buying. One...

Now that the festive season is behind us, the nation eagerly anticipates the opportunities that 2024 holds, especially in the realm of the mortgage industry. Reflecting on 2023, a year marked by multi-decade highs in various unsettling statistics, there is a...

Historical article — updated guidance, October 2026: This article discusses early estimates ahead of 2024. Its dollar figures are not current loan limits. Veterans with full entitlement have no VA-imposed loan cap; county limits are used when calculating remaining...

Hello there, I’m Jaceson Smith-Martinez, and I’d like to take a moment to share a bit about my journey and the path that led me to Creekside Mortgage. Born and raised under the scorching Arizona sun, I embarked on a rather unconventional journey early in life. At the tender age of 17, I found myself enlisting in the United States Army, driven by a desire to make a difference. Little did I know that this decision would shape the course of my life in unexpected ways.

Stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, I served as a combat medic with the Combat Aviation Brigade. In 2019, I was deployed to Afghanistan, contributing my part to Operation Enduring Freedom. The experiences and the camaraderie forged during that deployment left an indelible mark on me.

Fast forward to November 2022, a month that saw me taking my leave from the military due to medical retirement. Following my discharge, I embarked on a new chapter, finding myself in the labyrinthine world of finance. Specifically, I became a funding analyst at a prominent bank, tasked with the intricate work of scrutinizing automobile loans. My role involved assessing applicants’ financial situations, calculating interest rates, and ensuring that loans aligned with regulatory standards.

Yet, as time passed, I found it increasingly challenging to reconcile my work with my values. It weighed heavily on my conscience to see the exorbitant interest rates being offered to individuals with less-than-perfect credit. The very system I was a part of seemed to be profiting from the struggles of those who needed reliable transportation the most. It was a moral dilemma I could no longer ignore.

This stark realization led me to an important crossroads in my career. After ten months of emotionally draining work, I knew I had to transition to an industry where I could genuinely make a positive impact on people’s lives. My quest for a profession that aligned with my desire to help others ultimately led me to the mortgage industry.

My introduction to mortgages came with a sense of familiarity. I had been a consumer in the housing market, and both of my in-laws had been seasoned real estate agents for over two decades. I understood that homeownership is, for many, the cornerstone of the American dream. The prospect of helping individuals achieve this dream filled me with excitement and purpose.

It was during this search for a new career path that I discovered Creekside Mortgage Incorporated. An interview with Kerry, the owner of Creekside Mortgage, left an unbelievable impression on me. Kerry’s commitment to positively impacting every person he meets stood out like a beacon of hope in an industry often marred by self-interest. His dedication to structuring his business in ways that benefit consumers, even at his own expense, spoke volumes about his character.

In that moment, I knew I had found my new home, both in the mortgage industry and at Creekside Mortgage. This was the place where I could blend my passion for helping people with a company that shared the same unwavering commitment to making dreams of homeownership come true, ethically and compassionately.

In my upcoming blog posts, I’m thrilled to embark on a journey of exploration into various aspects of the mortgage industry. We’ll delve into an array of topics, including the common misconceptions that often surround the VA home loan program. I’ll also shed light on the concept of predatory lending, equipping you with the knowledge to protect yourself as a consumer. Curious about how and why interest rates fluctuate, and what forces drive these changes? We’ll dive into that as well. Additionally, I’ll share some of my own personal experiences as a consumer dealing with lenders, highlighting valuable lessons that can help you avoid similar pitfalls. Stay tuned for an informative and enlightening series that aims to empower you on your journey toward homeownership.

Hey Treasure Valley! Here we are at the end of summer. Kids are going back to school now for a lot of us. It’s been kind of a delight to get the kids back out. My wife and I certainly are enjoying it, I hope you are too. So, looking at our current market. The events...

Hi, I’m Kerry Greenwald, your NW VA Guy and owner of Creekside Mortgage. We specialize in VA home loans and today I want to talk to you about Kuna, Idaho and what’s going on in that community. It’s crazy to look at the population growth...