Are you thinking about buying a home but feeling overwhelmed by mortgage options, credit scores, and interest rates? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Keeping Tabs, we sit down with trusted mortgage expert Jake Kolen from Prosperity Home Mortgage to break down everything you need to know about home loans in 2025. From FHA to VA to jumbo loans, they cover it all, with real talk and real help.

Whether you're buying your first home or just need a refresher on how lending works today, this episode will help you feel informed, empowered, and ready to take the next step.

• Why working with a local lender matters in a competitive market
• How to prepare even if you're not quite ready to buy yet
• The difference between FHA, VA, jumbo, and conventional loans
• What lenders actually look for: income, assets, debt, and credit
• How to avoid becoming "house poor"
• First-time homebuyer programs and grant options
• The truth about interest rates and why waiting could cost you more

• 0:00 – Intro: Why this conversation matters
• 3:05 – What if you’re not ready to buy yet?
• 5:30 – Interest rates in 2025: Should you wait or buy now?
• 7:45 – Are the rates too high or just a mindset?
• 13:33 – What loan type is right for you? FHA, VA, Jumbo, Conventional
• 15:43 – What’s a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and why it matters
• 22:00 – Jake’s “Four Quarters” lenders use to qualify you
• 30:45 – How credit score affects your rate (and your payment)
• 51:08 – First-time buyer programs and hidden grant money
• 53:59 – Why your lender’s reputation can win or lose the deal

Schedule a free, no-pressure consult with Tabitha at

🌐 www.tabithaheit.com

Welcome to the very first episode of Keeping Tabs, where we get real about real estate.

In this kickoff conversation, Tabitha Heit—renowned real estate expert and founder of the Heit Homes Group—shares her mission, her roots in real estate, and why this show is about empowering buyers and sellers with real talk, real help, and real insight.

In this episode:

• Why Tabitha started this podcast and her mission to educate and serve her community
• Her story growing up with a single mom who used real estate to build equity and opportunity
• What buyers really need to know—whether it's your first or fifth home
• How to approach selling your home in today’s market
• Why pricing strategy and timing matter more than ever
• The truth about Zillow, Zestimate myths, and online home valuations
• Why interviewing agents is one of the most important steps
• Real talk about stucco, inspections, contingencies, and “Zillow drunk” scrolling
• The power of negotiation and what to look for in a real estate agent

Links: www.tabithaheit.com

Whether you're buying, selling, relocating, or just trying to understand the market—this podcast is your forever resource for everything real estate.

📍 Serving Montgomery County, Bucks County, Delaware County, and the Greater Philadelphia Area.