Ever wonder why your mortgage payment jumps months after closing, or why a rock-bottom rate can still leave you cash-poor? We sit down with Katie “the Mortgage Lady” Weldon to unpack the real levers behind smart home financing: cash flow, taxes, and the honesty to run the numbers before emotions take the wheel. Katie’s consultative style cuts through the noise—she shows how to weigh closing costs against monthly payments, when it makes sense to use equity to crush high-interest debt, and how to plan for Florida’s tax resets and CDD fees so your first escrow analysis doesn’t blindside you.

Katie’s story brings both grit and clarity. After building her career in Massachusetts, she moved to the Tampa Bay area, reconnected with community, and doubled down on what clients actually need: transparent estimates, written cash-to-close, and programs tailored to real lives. From FHA, VA, USDA, and down payment assistance to investor-friendly options, she maps each path to a goal—whether it’s liquidity for a young family, stability for a relocating buyer, or rescuing a deal other lenders gave up on. Her message to agents and buyers alike is simple: don’t let deals die. A thoughtful restructure can turn a denial into an approval.

We cover the pitfalls big box lenders miss, the mindset that keeps credit cards from creeping back, and the practical steps to protect your budget in a higher-rate world. If you’re sitting on a sub-3% rate but paying 20%+ on revolving debt, this conversation may change your math. And if you’re buying in Florida, you’ll learn exactly how to get true tax and insurance numbers before you submit an offer, so you can move forward without fear.

If the no-surprises approach speaks to you, connect with Team Katie at teamkatie.com or call 978-751-1934. If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s home shopping, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find us.