April Awakenings

Fresh Starts & Bright Opportunities

 Empowering 2,000 Women and Families to achieve homeownership in 2025 

Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams – Helping 2,000 Women and Families Become Homeowners in 2025!

 Do You Know Someone Ready to Buy a Home?

At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to empowering women and families on their journey to homeownership. While you’ve already taken that step, you might know a friend, family member, or colleague who dreams of owning a home but doesn’t know where to start.

In 2025, our goal is to help over 2,000 women and families achieve this dream. By providing expert guidance, support, and resources, we’re breaking down barriers and making homeownership more accessible than ever.

If someone you know is ready to take the next step, we’d love to help! Send them our way—we’ll walk alongside them every step of the journey.

Let’s make homeownership happen—together

Times are tough right now, especially for those with high interest debts. What if I told you that by using your mortgage to your advantage, you could eliminate your revolving debts and have more money in your pocket every month? Use some or all of that extra cash to make additional principal payments, shorten the length of your mortgage, pay less in interest over time, and own your home sooner. Even with a higher interest rate, you could potentially shorten your term and build your wealth faster than you are right now. 

MORTGAGE IQ

How Mortgage Rate Locks Work

Are you (or your clients) waiting for the perfect mortgage rate? When the right moment arrives, locking in a rate could be a smart move to protect against market fluctuations. Here is what you need to know about mortgage rate locks—and why they can be a money-saving strategy!

What is a Mortgage Rate Lock?

A rate lock guarantees your mortgage interest rate for a set period—typically 30 to 60 days—while you finalize your home purchase or refinance. If you are financing new construction, you may be able to negotiate a longer lock period.

Why Lock in a Rate?

✅ Protection from rising rates – Your locked rate stays the same, even if market rates increase.
✅ Predictable payments – A locked rate helps you plan your budget with confidence.
✅ Peace of mind – No more stressing over daily rate changes while you finalize your loan.

What About Lower Rates?

While a rate lock shields you from higher rates, it does not always adjust to lower ones. We offer a one-time float-down option, so you can take advantage of a rate drop if it happens during your lock period. Because here at the Holly Walther Lending Team, we know the importance of certainty in a transaction - if rates drop more than .25% during the same lock term, we honor a float down on purchase transactions!

Things That Can Affect Your Rate Lock

A locked rate is based on the details in your mortgage application. If any of the following change, your lock could be impacted:

• Property appraisal results
• Credit score or debt-to-income ratio adjustments
• Employment or income changes
• Loan terms (e.g., switching from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage)

When Should You Lock Your Rate?

Timing your rate lock depends on your homebuying or refinancing timeline. If you are under contract or close to making a decision, it’s worth considering! Need advice? Connect with us, and we will help you decide the best time to lock in your rate.

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

Gardening for Space-Challenged Homeowners

Crevice Gardening: A Smart Solution for Smaller Spaces

As more homebuyers opt for smaller homes with lower price tags, traditional lawns and flower beds are becoming less common. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful, low-maintenance garden! Enter crevice gardening—a space-efficient and visually striking way to bring greenery into patios, walkways, and even rock walls.

Why Crevice Gardening Works

• Space-Saving – Perfect for patios, walkways, and compact outdoor areas.
• Low Maintenance – Requires minimal watering and care.
• Eco-Friendly – Encourages drought-resistant plants and reduces water use.
• Great for Stability – Plants in rock walls help with structural support.
• Natural Insulation – Hard surfaces retain heat, keeping roots warm and moist.

How to Create a Crevice Garden

• If your patio or walkway has gaps, plant directly in the crevices.
• No existing crevices? Arrange flat stones diagonally and add soil between them.
• Have a rock wall? Tuck plants between the rocks for a symbiotic relationship.

Best Plants for Crevice Gardens

Your local nursery can help you choose the best plants, but here are some favorites:

• Succulents – Low-maintenance and water-efficient.
• Cacti – Ideal for dry climates.
• Drought-Tolerant Perennials – Like thyme, sedum, or saxifrage.

For more inspiration, visit the North American Rock Garden Society.

REACH YOUR GOALS

A Fresh Approach to Financial Stress

Money-related stress is at an all-time high—82% of Americans report feeling anxious about their finances, according to the American Heart Association. With inflation, rising interest rates, and increasing debt, it’s no surprise that financial worries can take a toll on our well-being.

But here’s the good news: rethinking how you approach money may help relieve that stress—without resorting to extreme budgeting.

🔹 Why Traditional Budgets Don’t Always Work

Many financial experts promote strict budgets, but as Suze Orman points out, they can feel like a crash diet—hard to maintain and often discouraging.

Dana Miranda, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF) and author of You Don’t Need a Budget, challenges conventional budgeting wisdom by:

✅ Examining why many traditional financial strategies fail for the average person
✅ Highlighting the emotional impact of debt, including guilt and shame
✅ Offering a more personalized, flexible approach to managing money

🔹 A Better Way to Reduce Financial Stress

Instead of rigid budgeting, consider:

✔️ Mindful Money Management – Focus on your financial goals rather than restricting every dollar
✔️ Smart Borrowing Strategies – Make informed lending choices that align with your long-term plans
✔️ Proactive Planning – Work with professionals who can help tailor solutions to your needs

🔹 Let’s Talk!

If financial concerns are holding you back, we’re here to help! Whether you're looking for mortgage solutions, refinancing options, or just need guidance, let’s chat. Together, we can find a strategy that works for you.

📩 Contact us today to start the conversation!

Did You Catch the Holly Walther Team on ADTV?

Show Your Braves Spirit! 

Did you get your Braves Magnet yet? If not, don’t miss out! Click below to request yours and show off your team pride. 

 To request your Braves Magnet, email your mailing address to kyli@hollywaltherteam.com.

Hurry—supplies are limited!

Hoppy Easter! Fun Facts to Share This Spring

Spring is in the air, and with it comes one of our favorite holidays—Easter! Whether you celebrate with an egg hunt, a festive meal, or simply enjoy the bright and cheerful colors of the season, Easter is a time for renewal, family, and fun. As your trusted lending partner, we love bringing you not just market updates and mortgage insights, but also lighthearted moments to enjoy. Here are some Easter fun facts you can share with your clients, family, and friends!

1. The World’s Largest Easter Egg
Ever wonder what the biggest Easter egg looks like? The world’s largest chocolate Easter egg was created in Italy in 2011, weighing over 15,000 pounds and standing more than thirty-four feet tall! Now that is a lot of chocolate!

2. The Origin of the Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny is a cherished symbol of the holiday, but did you know that its roots trace back to Germany? In the 1700s, German immigrants brought the tradition of the "Osterhase," a hare that would lay colorful eggs for well-behaved children. The tradition eventually spread, becoming a beloved part of Easter celebrations around the world.

3. Egg-citing Egg Hunts
Egg hunts are a highlight of the holiday, and one of the most famous takes place at the White House! The annual White House Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition since 1878, bringing families together for a day of fun on the South Lawn.

4. A Sweet Tooth’s Dream
Easter is one of the biggest candy holidays of the year—second only to Halloween! Americans consume over sixteen billion jellybeans every Easter, enough to circle the globe more than three times if lined up end to end. And of course, we cannot forget the classic chocolate bunny—most people (about 76%) start by eating the ears first!

5. The Meaning Behind Easter Lilies
Easter lilies are a popular symbol of the holiday, representing purity, hope, and renewal. These elegant white flowers are often found in churches and homes during the season, adding a touch of beauty and meaning to Easter celebrations.

From all of us at The Holly Walther Lending Team, we wish you a joyful Easter filled with laughter, love, and maybe even a few chocolate treats! If you are looking for a fresh start this spring—whether it is purchasing a new home or refinancing—we’re here to help. Reach out to us anytime!

Happy Easter!

Spring Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

Spring vegetables brighten up classic pasta Alfredo, while lemon zest and chives cut the rich creaminess.