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Welcome to Wetumpka with Abbie Weldon
Welcome to Welcome to Wetumpka with Abbie Weldon – mom of three, local realtor, and lifelong Wetumpka girl. This podcast is your go-to for all things Wetumpka, Alabama. Each week, Abbie shares real estate tips, local happenings, fun family activities, and stories that celebrate the people and places that make Wetumpka feel like home. Whether you’re raising a family here, thinking of moving to our sweet river town, or just love a dose of Southern charm, you’ll find yourself right at home. Grab your coffee and join us as we keep it real, keep it Southern, and always keep it neighborly.
Welcome to Wetumpka with Abbie Weldon
14. The Dream Team’s Guide to Rates, Loans, and Preapprovals with Chaseley Stephenson
Buying a home can feel overwhelming—especially when the headlines are filled with talk of a government shutdown and fluctuating mortgage rates. My good friend and trusted mortgage lender, Chaseley Stephenson with Alabama Home Mortgage, joins me on the podcast today to clear things up!
Chaseley has been in the business for 13 years, and together we’ve helped so many clients close on their homes—I like to think of us as the dream team! In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening in the mortgage world right now and answering the questions everyone’s asking.
We start with the government shutdown—what it actually means for mortgage rates and why, historically, rates tend to go down during a shutdown (even though everyone’s freaking out). Chaseley also shares what parts of the lending process are impacted and what’s not.
Then, we dig into the difference between getting prequalified and preapproved, what lenders look at during the process, and why there’s nothing to be embarrassed about when applying for preapproval. The sooner you start, the sooner we can help you get on the right path to homeownership!
We also talk about:
- What really happens when the Fed meets (and why there’s no magic button that changes rates overnight).
- What the “rate of the day” actually means.
- The truth about down payments—and why you don’t always need 20% down.
- The differences between conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans, and how to know which one fits your situation best.
- Why using a local lender and broker can make your home-buying experience smoother, faster, and more personal.
If you’re planning to buy a home soon—or just want to understand what’s going on in the market right now—this episode is packed with helpful insights straight from one of the best in the business.
Follow Chaseley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaseley_mortgagepro/
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This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change network.