What Kind of Homebuyer Are You? {Take the Free Quiz}

Buying a home isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Some people plan for years. Others fall in love with a listing on Wednesday and start applying by Friday. This quiz helps you figure out what kind of homebuyer you are, and which mortgage strategies make the most sense based on your financial style, goals, and timeline.

Take the Quiz Below (and check your results at the end!)

QUIZ: What Kind of Homebuyer Are You?

1. When it comes to your finances, you...
A. Are still learning and figuring it all out
B. Have a pretty solid budget and savings plan
C. Know your numbers like a spreadsheet ninja
D. Like to keep it simple and predictable

2. Your ideal home is...
A. Whatever gets you out of renting
B. Bigger and better than what I have now
C. Something I can eventually rent or flip
D. A forever home I can settle into for the long haul

3. How do you feel about risk?
A. A little nervous
B. I can handle some if the reward is worth it
C. Let’s go. I play for ROI
D. The fewer surprises, the better

4. What’s your biggest concern in the homebuying process?
A. Not knowing what I’m doing
B. Selling and buying at the same time
C. Getting the best investment return
D. Locking in a stable monthly payment

5. How long do you see yourself in your next home?
A. No clue. I just want to get in
B. 3 to 7 years
C. Could be short-term depending on the market
D. 10 or more years

Results:

Mostly A’s: The First-Timer
You're learning the ropes and that’s totally okay. Look into FHA or first-time buyer programs with low down payment options and simpler approval processes. Having a guide on your side makes all the difference.

Mostly B’s: The Mover Upper
You’re not new to real estate, but you’re ready for something better. Your best bet is a mortgage strategy that makes timing smooth, possibly a bridge loan or a lender who knows how to juggle contingencies.

Mostly C’s: The Investor Minded Buyer
ROI is your love language. Consider adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), investment-friendly loan terms, and options that maximize cash flow. Smart leverage is your best friend.

Mostly D’s: The Long Term Planner
You’re all about stability. Look for fixed rate loans with predictable payments. You’re likely a great candidate for conventional financing with longer terms and low risk.

Closing Paragraph: Whatever type of homebuyer you are, knowing your style helps you make smarter, more confident decisions. Want advice that fits your situation? Contact me or check out more no-fluff tips on the blog.

Optional CTA for Download: Prefer a printable version? Download the quiz as a PDF and share it with friends, partners, or your favorite real estate meme group

Intro to Mortgage Matters

Opening the Gates: Why This Blog Exists

Let’s be honest: mortgage talk usually ranks somewhere between "watching paint dry" and "root canal without anesthesia." But it shouldn’t. Mortgages are not just about rates and paperwork; they’re about life, money, and getting the keys to your future.

Welcome to Mortgage Matters — where we chop down the jargon, swing past the myths, and serve up mortgage know-how that actually makes sense. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a refinancing veteran, or just mortgage-curious, you’re in the right place.

Who Is This For? (Hint: Probably You)

Are you:
- Wondering if you can afford to stop renting and actually buy?
- Feeling buried under conflicting advice from banks, lenders, your cousin Mike, and TikTok influencers?
- Not sure if your credit score is a badge of honor or a red flag?
- Totally new to the homebuying process and slightly terrified?

Good. That means you’re ready. Because the first rule of surviving the mortgage maze is this: *you don't need to know everything*. You just need to start here.

Why Listen to Me?

I’m James Govier, a licensed mortgage consultant and loan officer at Tarheel Mortgage. I’m not a big bank. I’m not an app with stock photos of smiling couples. I work for a company with over 25 years of lending experience and a deep commitment to helping people succeed in this ever-changing industry.

And yes, I’m a mortgage broker. That means I work *for you*, not for a bank. I shop across the biggest wholesale lenders to get you the right deal. No cookie-cutter loans, no bank bias, and definitely no pressure sales tactics.

The Big Problems with the Mortgage Industry

Let’s call it what it is:
- Too much jargon. APR, LTV, PMI... it’s like mortgage pros are trying to win a Scrabble tournament.
- Cookie-cutter advice. Big lenders push the same products no matter your situation. That’s not advice, that’s a sales quota.
- Online "advice" that confuses more than it helps. Reddit is fun. It’s not your loan officer.
- People assume they don’t qualify. Newsflash: Most people can qualify for something. The trick is finding the *right* loan, not the most advertised one.

What This Blog Will Cover

This isn’t fluff. You can expect:
- Clear guides - on how to buy, refinance, improve credit, and compare loan options
- Market trend breakdowns - in plain English
- Real stories - from real people who made it work (and some who didn’t)
- Tips for first-time buyers - that go beyond "save more money"
- Tools and checklists - to keep you organized and sane
- Mortgage myth-busting - sessions, complete with sarcasm

Your First Freebie: Know Your Lending Personality

Stay tuned for our next post: "What Kind of Homebuyer Are You?" It comes with a free downloadable quiz that matches your financial personality with real-world mortgage strategies. (Spoiler: If you think you're a "Lost in the Sauce Larry," you probably are. But we can fix that.)

Want More? It’s Gated, Not Guarded.

This blog is free, but the best stuff—like our deep-dive credit repair walkthrough, our 2025 Mortgage Trend Survival Guide, and our "Fast Track to Preapproval" checklist—is locked behind a tiny little wall. Just fill out the form below to unlock full access to our premium guides, checklists, and credit tools:

Why the gate? Because we value quality, and we want readers who are serious about learning, buying, and winning the mortgage game. No spam. No sales pitch. Just the good stuff, straight from me.

Final Thought: You Can Do This

Getting a mortgage is not rocket science. It’s just paperwork, numbers, and smart timing. And with the right guide (ahem, that’s me), you can dodge the fees, beat the rates, and buy the damn house.

So welcome to the journey. It might get wild, but we’ll get through it—one blog post at a time.

James Govier
Licensed Mortgage Consultant and Loan Officer
Tarheel Mortgage