Can I Use Gift Funds to Buy a Home in Arizona? FHA, VA and Conventional Loan Rules

By Joe Hansen, NMLS #217716 | Precision Mortgage, Peoria AZ Every few weeks I get some version of the same phone call. A buyer has found a house, the numbers work, and then they pause and ask, almost apologetically, “My parents want to help with the down payment — is that even allowed?” It’s allowed. In…

FICO or VantageScore for Your Mortgage? | Peoria AZ Broker Joe Hansen I get asked a version of this question almost every week now: “Joe, should I be pulling my regular FICO score or this new VantageScore thing?” The honest answer is — you don’t have to choose. As a mortgage broker working with Peoria…

Mortgage Rate & Fee Guide · Peoria · West Valley · Arizona 2026 The lender advertising the lowest rate is not always the lender offering the lowest-cost loan. Understanding the difference between the rate, the APR, the fees, and the total payment is how you actually save money — not just find a compelling number…

Self-Employed Mortgage Guide · Arizona · 2026 Tax returns don’t have to be the end of the conversation. Here’s how lenders actually underwrite self-employed income — and the paths available to Arizona business owners, contractors, and 1099 workers who don’t fit the standard W-2 mold. By Joe Hansen, NMLS# 217716 · Precision Mortgage, Peoria AZ…

Mortgage Strategy · Peoria & Phoenix, AZ · 2026 2-1 Buydown vs. Permanent Rate Buydown in Arizona: Which One Actually Saves You More? | Joe Hansen When a seller is offering concessions on your Arizona home purchase, how you use that money can change your payment significantly — both now and over the long haul.…

I’m honored to be ranked the #1 Mortgage Broker in Peoria, Arizona, based on BusinessRate’s June 2026 ranking data. This recognition reflects the experiences shared by my clients through their Google reviews. Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their home financing and taken the time to leave a review—it truly means a lot!

Renting vs. Buying a Home in Peoria, AZ (2026): The Real Numbers Behind the Decision | Joe Hansen Rent vs. Buy · Peoria, AZ · 2026 Real Numbers Renting vs. Buying a Home in Peoria, AZ: The Real Numbers Behind the Decision in 2026 Most rent vs. buy comparisons are written generically. This one isn’t.…

What every buyer, listing agent, and seller should know before they trust a pre-qualification letter — explained line by line by a 24-year West Valley mortgage broker.By Joe Hansen, NMLS# 217716 · Precision Mortgage, Peoria AZ · Serving Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Goodyear, Buckeye, Avondale, Litchfield Park, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West & Phoenix In…

Mortgage Education · West Valley, AZ · 2026 Can I Switch Lenders After Signing a Purchase Contract? You’re under contract, the clock is ticking, and you just noticed your lender’s rate quietly crept up since pre-approval. Are you stuck? Here’s the honest answer — and how to protect yourself from this happening in the first…

You found the listing, looked at the Zillow estimate, and thought, “I can afford this.” Here’s the problem: that number is probably understating your real payment by a couple of hundred dollars a month — or more. Let’s break down exactly why. By Joe Hansen, NMLS# 217716 · Precision Mortgage, Peoria AZ · Updated 2026…