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Lisa West | Mortgage Loan Officer

@lisawestteam

1.4K

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2011

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Loan officer making the mortgage process stress-free and easy-to-understand. Serving DC, VA, MD, NC, WV, TN
NMLS 1501911

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Buying a home is a big deal — and you deserve a mortgage experience that feels personal, professional, and stress-free.

These kind words from our amazing clients say it best

✅ First-time buyer support
✅ Clear communication every step of the way
✅ A team that truly cares

If you’ve been thinking about buying, refinancing, or just have questions — we’re ready when you are.

📩 DM to get started.

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#newhomebuyer #firstimehomebuyer #alexandriava #washingtondc #washingtondcrealestate #firstimehomebuyer #varealestate #mortgageloanofficer #savingforahouse #creditislife taken in Washington D. C. by @lisawestteam

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4

a year ago

⬇️Here are 3 fantastic benefits of working with a mortgage loan officer⬇️

Guidance - Loan officers analyze your financial situation to get you the optimal loan. They empower you to make informed and educated decisions. They assist in aligning your budget with realistic expectations.

Expertise - Loan officers streamline the application process and negotiate with lenders on your behalf, and their expertise helps to speed the entire process along.

Support - Loan officers provide continuous support through the loan process. They provide valuable insight into the repayment process and give you confidence in your future financial decisions.

Do you have questions about working with my team and me? My DMs are always open!

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#savingforahouse #creditislife #moveinready #lettingagents #financialadvisor #newhomebuyer #whoyouworkwithmatters #mortgagelender #timetosell #excellentcredit #mortgagelady #preapproved #mortgageprofessional #readytomove #mortgagelending #mortgagebanker #mortgagerates #mortgagelife #movementmortgage #lowmortgagerates #mortgagerate taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @lisawestteam

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3 years ago

Q: 15-year or 30-year mortgage? Which should I choose?

A: There are a few factors to consider when it comes to the length of time for your home loan.

Both terms will allow you to borrow the same amount, but with a 15-year mortgage, you will pay a higher monthly payment but less interest overall because the term is shorter.

It equals less risk to the bank and can mean better rates for you.

A 30-year mortgage is a very common choice in the U.S. and because the payments are stretched over a longer period, the monthly payments are more affordable

Lending money for a longer term is more risky for the lender, so typically the interest rates are higher.

It comes down to your lifestyle, risk tolerance, and financial goals.

Want to chat about which option may be right for you? My DMs are open; let’s chat!

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#savingforahouse #creditislife #moveinready #lettingagents #financialadvisor #newhomebuyer #whoyouworkwithmatters #mortgagelender #timetosell #excellentcredit #mortgagelady #preapproved #mortgageprofessional #readytomove #mortgagelending #mortgagebanker #mortgagerates #mortgagelife #movementmortgage #lowmortgagerates #mortgagerate by @lisawestteam

24

1

3 years ago

Duke Walker and I go way back to 2017. We’ve worked together at two different companies (One of them twice) and for years we’ve talked about what it would look like to officially team up.

Well… it finally happened! What makes this partnership so special is how naturally our strengths complement each other.

Duke is truly a people person – he builds relationships easily, connects with everybody, and makes people feel comfortable right away.

I’m the organized, process-driven one who keeps everything on track and making sure every detail is handled smoothly.

Together, that means our clients and realtor partners get the best of both worlds: strong relationships, clear communication, and a smooth, well managed process from start to finish.

At the end of the day, we both care deeply about taking great care of people, leading with honesty and integrity, and being a trusted resource for the clients and agents we serve.

I’m so excited for this next chapter and so grateful it’s with someone I’ve known and respected for so many years. Nine years in the making… and we’re just getting started 💙

#dmvrealestate #novarealestate #noonesuceedsalone #mortgage taken in Washington D. C. by @lisawestteam

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2

a day ago

Yes, I rank everything like a loan. Halloween never stood a chance.

Full size bar people, you want one payment for 30 years and you never want to think about it again.

Fun size people, you figured out that getting in the door beats waiting for perfect.

Candy corn people, you’ve been defending your choices since kindergarten, and as long as you have a plan for when that rate adjusts, respect.

Raisin people, everyone else assumed they didn’t qualify and you actually asked. Secretly a superpower.

Tell me which one you’re shopping for and I’ll run the numbers for you.

P.S. Most of my clients start by sending me a message right here on Instagram, so don’t be shy!

#HomeLoans #MortgageLender #MortgageExpert #MortgageAdvisor by @lisawestteam

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a day ago

FHA is a great loan. It is also not the right loan for everyone, and I would rather you hear that before you apply.

Who should probably skip it:

1. Buyers with strong credit and a solid down payment. Conventional may price better, and conventional mortgage insurance can come off once you build enough equity.
2. Condo buyers whose building is not FHA approved. If the building is not on the list, FHA may not work for that unit.
3. Anyone buying a house that needs big repairs before move in. FHA has property condition standards, and a rough house can hold up your approval.
4. Buyers shopping above the FHA loan limit in their county. Limits are set by county and updated every year.
5. Anyone buying a place they will not live in. FHA is for your primary home.

Who it is great for: buyers who need more flexibility on credit or down payment, and want a loan built for getting started.

The best way to know is to see FHA and conventional side by side on your own numbers. That comparison is the first thing I run for most buyers.

P.S. Most of my clients start by sending me a message right here on Instagram, so don’t be shy!

#MortgageLender #HomeLoanHelp #MortgageAdvice #mortgageguide by @lisawestteam

0

0

2 days ago

Your friend just bought a house, and now you're comparing their mortgage to yours. 🏡

But here's the thing: Just because you're both buying a home doesn't mean you're getting the same loan.

Your loan terms, monthly payment, closing costs, down payment, loan type, and credit score can all make your mortgage look different from someone else's.

That's why comparing numbers without understanding what's behind them can be misleading.

💬 Message me "𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘" and let's look at what actually makes sense for YOU.

#MortgageAdvice #MortgageMadeEasy #HomeLoanHelp #HomeBuyingTips by @lisawestteam

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3 days ago

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 👍
After moving higher to start the week, mortgage rates got a little better as the week went on, ending just slightly lower than the week before. It wasn't a big improvement, but at least it broke the streak of rates moving higher over the last few weeks.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 ⚠️
There are some early signs that mortgage rates may be done climbing, at least for now. We could still see some ups and downs this week though, especially with inflation data coming out in the middle of the week.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Inflation data: Consumer inflation data comes out Wednesday, followed by wholesale inflation data on Thursday. If inflation is lower than expected, rates could improve a little more, but higher inflation could push them back up.
• Oil: Oil prices will continue to influence mortgage rates this week, although the connection between the two hasn't been quite as strong recently.
• The Fed: The Fed raised its policy rate in September, but markets have recently backed off expectations for another increase in October. This week's inflation reports and comments from Fed officials could change those expectations.

#mortgages #mortgagerates #realestate #mortgageinterest #homebuyingtips #realestateadvice #refinance by @lisawestteam

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5 days ago

Nobody grows up saying they want to be the person who reads a bank statement line by line.

Somebody has to, though.

Somebody has to spot the deposit that needs a paper trail, ask about the car payment missing from the application, and help you understand what fits comfortably in your budget - before you fall in love with a house.

Most of what I do all week is catch things while they’re still easy to fix, so you don’t get a bad surprise the week of closing.

A smooth, on-time closing doesn’t happen by chance. Behind the scenes, somebody was paying attention early, when the details mattered.

If you want that somebody on your side, send me a message.

#MortgageLender #MortgageMadeEasy #MortgageSpecialist by @lisawestteam

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8 days ago

𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 $𝟯,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 $𝟮,𝟳𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲? 🤔

It can feel confusing, but rent and mortgages are approved differently.

When you apply for a home loan, mortgage professionals look at more than just what you pay each month. They also look at things like your income, credit, car payments, credit cards, and other debt.

And here’s the big thing: 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀.

So if one tells you no, that doesn’t always mean you’re out of options.

Get a second opinion. You can ask me about different loan programs. You might have more options than you think.

Thinking about buying a home and needing a mortgage? Reach out to me, and I can see what may work for your situation. by @lisawestteam

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10 days ago

Down payment help isn’t always free money, here’s how to tell 👇

GRANT

Money toward your down payment or closing costs that usually does not have to be paid back.

Ask: Are there any conditions, like living in the home for a set time?

FORGIVABLE LOAN

A loan that goes away over time if you follow the rules, usually by living in the home for a set number of years.

Ask: What happens if I sell or refinance before it’s forgiven?

DEFERRED LOAN

No monthly payment now. The full amount comes due later, usually when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.

Ask: When exactly is it due, and does the amount grow over time?

SECOND MORTGAGE

A second loan with its own monthly payment, on top of your first mortgage.

Ask: What is the payment, and what does it do to my total monthly cost?

The one question to ask before you accept any of them:

“Do I ever have to pay this back, and if so, when?”

Send me the name of the program you are looking at, and I will tell you in plain English which of these four it is.

#MortgageLender #HomeLoanHelp #mortgageeducation #MortgageMadeEasy by @lisawestteam

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0

10 days ago

🏡 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 👎
Mortgage rates continued to climb last week despite slightly lower oil prices, weaker-than-expected labor data, and markets backing off expectations for a Fed rate hike this month. There was a lot of day-to-day volatility, but pressure on global bond markets ultimately helped push rates higher.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 👎
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like rates will be moving lower anytime soon, and they could continue to creep higher. Treasury yields are still near their highest levels in decades and continue to rise, which will keep putting pressure on mortgage rates.

📈 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:
• Oil: Oil prices will continue to influence mortgage rates this week, although the connection between the two hasn't been quite as strong recently.
• Economic data: There are only a few reports this week that could influence mortgage rates, and none that require a lot of attention from us.
• Bond yields: Yields continue to rise globally, and as the 10-year Treasury yield moves higher, mortgage bonds are likely to sell off as well, putting additional pressure on mortgage rates.

#mortgages #mortgagerates #realestate #mortgageinterest #homebuyingtips #realestateadvice #refinance by @lisawestteam

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12 days ago