Richard Woodward | (214) 945-1066

Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates in Plano or DFW? Read This First

Imagine waiting another year to buy a home, only to discover that mortgage rates have barely changed. You are still paying rent, the home you wanted is no longer available, and you may have missed an opportunity to negotiate with a motivated seller. That may sound frustrating, but it is a very real possibility. Many…

Can I Buy My Ex-Spouse Out of the House If I Don't Have Cash

The short answer is yes—in many Texas divorces, you may be able to buy out your ex-spouse’s share of the home’s equity without writing a large personal check. One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is: “Richard, I’d love to keep the house, but I don’t have $150,000 sitting in the bank to buy out…

What If I Can't Qualify for the Mortgage on My Own After Divorce

The short answer is this: Don’t assume you won’t qualify until you’ve had a complete mortgage review with me. This is probably the biggest fear I hear from homeowners going through a divorce. “Richard, I’ve never qualified on my own. I don’t think I can keep the house.” Sometimes that concern is valid. But many…

Should We Sell the House or Refinance During Divorce

The short answer is this: There isn’t one right answer—but there is a right answer for your situation. One of the first questions I ask homeowners during a divorce consultation is, “What do you want your life to look like one year from now?” Most people think the conversation starts with interest rates or mortgage…

What if the most important document in your divorce isn’t the final decree, but the divorce lending strategy you build before you ever step into a courtroom? With nearly 70% of divorces involving the division of real estate, the stakes for your family home are incredibly high. You might be lying awake wondering if you…

Can I keep my low interest rate after a divorce

The short answer is: maybe—but it depends on your loan, your lender, and how your divorce is structured. One of the first concerns I hear from homeowners going through a divorce is, “Richard, I have a 2.75% interest rate. Am I going to lose it?” It’s a great question, and it’s one that’s become much…

Should you remove your ex-spouse from the mortgage before or after divorce

The short answer is yes—if possible, you should understand your mortgage options before your divorce is finalized, not after. One of the first questions people ask me during a divorce consultation is, “Richard, when should I remove my ex from the mortgage?” Unfortunately, many people don’t ask that question until it’s too late. After more…

What you think about reverse mortgages is probably wrong

For years, reverse mortgages have been surrounded by myths, misinformation, and outdated opinions. Unfortunately, many homeowners dismiss them based on something they heard decades ago from a friend, a family member, or even a television commercial. I am here to provide you the facts. I have been teaching retirees, Realtors, Loan Officers, and financial planners…

Reverse Mortgages in 2026: What Texas Homeowners 62+ Need to Know Before They Apply

If you’re 62 or older and sitting on significant home equity, you’ve probably heard the term “reverse mortgage” thrown around — often with more confusion than clarity. Maybe a relative warned you it’s risky. Maybe you saw a commercial promising “free money.” The truth, as usual, sits in the middle — and in 2026, several…

Here’s something most Texas homebuyers never find out until it’s too late: the state of Texas offers over 75 down payment assistance programs in 2026 — and many of them give you money you never have to pay back. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines because you don’t think you have enough saved for…