The Journal
Strategy, market reads, and notes from the desk.
Occasional, signal-only writing from Meredith — for buyers, owners, and investors who want to think clearly about their mortgage.
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May 1, 2026 · how-to
Buying a $750,000 home in Reno — what to actually think through
$750,000 is a useful working number in Reno right now. Here's how to think about the four numbers that actually matter — payment, cash to close, income, and approval strength — before you write an offer.
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May 1, 2026 · strategy
Tahoe second home vs. investment property — why the classification matters
Calling a Tahoe property a 'second home' when it's actually being run as a short-term rental is one of the most consequential mistakes a buyer can make on a loan. Here is why the line exists and how to think about it.
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May 1, 2026 · personal
Why local mortgage advice matters in Reno and Tahoe
An online lender will quote you a rate. A local advisor will read your file, your market, and the listing agent on the other side of the offer — and tell you what's actually possible.
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April 22, 2026 · strategy
Pre-underwriting, explained — and why it actually wins offers
A pre-qualification letter is a polite suggestion. A pre-underwritten file is a finished loan in everything but address. Here's the difference, why listing agents care, and how it changes how you write offers.
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March 17, 2026 · personal
Baby animals at Ferrari Farms — come spend Sunday with us
I'm hosting a free community morning at Ferrari Farms in Reno on Sunday, March 22. Goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, an emu, and a few unhurried hours that aren't about mortgages.
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March 12, 2026 · personal
Recess all day — on the Women's Mortgage Network Podcast
I joined Nika Ojo on episode 20 of the Women's Mortgage Network Podcast — a conversation about working with my dad, mortgage coaching, divorcing clients, and why a small-roster practice is by design.
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