For many people, buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll make. Before you start touring homes or scrolling through listings, taking time to prepare your finances can help you better understand your options and approach the homebuying process with confidence.
That's where Kathiannie comes in.
With a strong background in banking, homeownership education, and financial counseling, Kathiannie Tavera helps homebuyers navigate the mortgage process with confidence and clarity. As a Mortgage Loan Officer at PS Bank, she combines lending experience with a passion for educating clients and helping them make informed financial decisions.
Before transitioning into mortgage lending, Kathiannie spent more than six years as a Homeownership Program Manager and HUD-certified Housing Counselor. During that time, she helped individuals and families prepare for homeownership through financial education, credit and debt counseling, homebuyer education, and down-payment and closing-cost assistance programs.
Today, Kathiannie uses that experience to help customers prepare for the mortgage process. Here are five steps she recommends considering before you begin house hunting:
1. Review Your Credit
Understanding your credit history can help you identify potential issues and give you an opportunity to address them before applying for a mortgage. Reviewing your credit report and making sure the information is accurate is a good place to start.
2. Understand Your Budget
Knowing what you may qualify to borrow is different from determining what monthly payment is comfortable for your budget. Consider your overall financial picture, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and other costs associated with homeownership.
3. Plan for Your Down Payment and Closing Costs
Your down payment isn't the only expense to consider when purchasing a home. Closing costs and other expenses can add to the amount you'll need at closing. Depending on your circumstances and the mortgage program for which you qualify, there may be options that require less than 20% down, as well as assistance programs for qualified buyers.
4. Be Thoughtful About New Debt
As you prepare to purchase a home, consider how major purchases or new credit could affect your financial picture. Before taking on significant new debt, talk with your mortgage professional about how it could impact your homebuying plans.
5. Talk to a Mortgage Professional Early
You don't have to wait until you've found your dream home to talk to a lender. Starting the conversation early can help you understand potential financing options, estimated payments, down-payment requirements, and what you may need to provide during the application process.
Kathiannie takes the time to understand each client's goals, explain their options, and help identify a financing solution that fits their individual needs. Her experience in personal banking, branch management, and processing personal and home equity line of credit (HELOC) loans from application through closing gives her a well-rounded understanding of the lending process.
Kathiannie is also bilingual and is proud to build relationships with both English- and Spanish-speaking homebuyers.
Whether you're purchasing your first home, moving into your next one, or simply beginning to explore your options, Kathiannie is here to help make the mortgage process clear, comfortable, and successful.
Ready to take the first step?
Kathiannie Tavera
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS# 1210846
1743 N Keyser Ave., Scranton, PA 18508
Office: 570-996-8504
Cell: 570-309-1009
Learn more about mortgage options at www.psbanking.com/borrow/mortgage-loans.
Mortgage prequalification, if offered, is based on information provided by the applicant and is not a commitment to lend or a loan approval. All mortgage loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting requirements, appraisal (if applicable), and program eligibility. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.