If you were lucky enough to attend our Homebuying Webinar, you got expert insights from two of our top experts here at Taylor Morrison. Our goal for the session was to help you feel informed, empowered, and ready for what’s ahead. *
A lot was covered during the webinar, and we’re excited to recap the topics that you care about most. Read on for mortgage myths, loan types and benefits, the ABCs of mortgage qualification, pro tips on how to improve your credit score, and our latest finance incentives designed to bring you home. Let’s get into the details! *
Meet Your Hosts
Meet the woman leading the charge:
Andrea Murphy | National Senior Director, Sales Implementation
Andrea has a homebuilding career spanning 25 years and leads our national sales initiatives. She partners with our markets across the country, IT, Taylor Morrison Home Funding, and Design Studio teams to align resources, enhance productivity, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
Christie Ferro, NMLS #269639 | Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. NMLS #8588 | Senior Vice President, Financial Services
Christie brings more than 28 years of mortgage industry expertise and has worked at Taylor Morrison Home Funding since 2002. She leads our national loan origination teams and partners closely with mortgage operations, title, and insurance services to ensure a seamless homebuying experience. She also works in collaboration with Taylor Morrison’s Brand Marketing team and provides strategic guidance to Community and Online Sales Managers—leveraging financing solutions as a key driver of sales success.
Customer Testimonials
We believe in homes built for real life, from kids and pets to the typical morning rush. Our homeowners say it best.
Aaditya C. | Portland Homebuyer
“All of the sales representatives were always available to answer any questions—they helped us walk through the house with the utmost detail during the new home demonstration. The build quality is fantastic, and all our friends have been impressed by the details that have gone into getting the house move-in ready.”
Carlos H. | Phoenix Homebuyer
It was an excellent experience to buy a new home with Taylor Morrison. The team was always with us during the new home process, and it was wonderful for us to complete the process of the new home for my family. The Taylor Morrison team is very trusted.
Brandon T. | Phoenix Homebuyer
Taylor Morrison is the real deal! My family could not be happier with our home and with how we were treated during the build process from everyone, including our sales manager, construction supervisor, lender, and escrow agent. I highly recommend Taylor Morrison to anyone and everyone looking for a new home!
So, who is Taylor Morrison? Here’s a few quick facts if you’re new here.
About Taylor Morrison
- Recognized as America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder for 11 years running
- One of the largest homebuilders in the country, serving customers nationwide for more than 100 years
- Builds in 20 major U.S. markets with communities designed for real lifestyles
- Supports buyers at every stage: first‑time, move‑up, and resort-lifestyle
- Proudly named one of FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies and included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
The Homebuying Journey
If you’re not sure where to begin, that’s okay. We’re here to help. Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying a new home, whether you’re looking to move quickly or build a home from the ground up.
Now that you have the basics, let’s get into the most common mortgage myths. We might just bust them!
Mortgage Myths, Debunked
Understanding financing is one of the most empowering steps of the journey. Christie shared several key truths:
Find The Right Mortgage Fit
Every buyer’s situation is unique, and so are their loan options.
Conventional Loan (Non-Government Loan)
Features and benefits
- Typical 5% down payment
- No mortgage insurance with a 20% down payment
- Great for buyers with a favorable credit score
FHA Loan (Federal Housing Administration)
Features and benefits
- Low 3.5% down payment
- Do not need to be a first-time buyer
- Lower credit score requirement than conventional loans
VA Loan (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Features and benefits
- Low or no down payment required
- Active-duty, veteran military service members, and spouses of those who have served in the armed forces are eligible
- Lower credit score requirement than a conventional loan
USDA (Guaranteed Rural Development Loan)
Features and benefits
- No down payment required
- Property location requirements
- Some closing costs may be financed if supported by appraised value
The ABCs of Mortgage Qualification
Mortgage approval is based on four key factors. You can think of them as four legs of a chair:
- Collateral
- Cash | Earnest Money Deposit, Down Payment, Closing Costs
- Capacity | Employment, Income, Debt-To-Income Ratio
- Credit
Together, they can set you up for long‑term success.
Many people have questions about what matters most when it comes to their credit score, and how to improve it. Answers below!
Credit Score 101: What Matters Most
- Payment history and credit utilization make up 65% of your credit score
- Late payments can have a significant negative impact
- A good general rule of thumb: Keep your balance at 30% or below the limit
- Example: If you have a credit card with a limit of $10,000, keep a balance of $3,000 or less
- Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. only performs a soft inquiry until a formal application is completed
Looking to improve your credit score? Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. has a free program to help you get there!
Able.Ready.Own.®**
Take advantage of this complimentary service. You’ll be connected with a Freddie Mac‑certified CreditSmart coach. Benefits may include:
- Improved credit scores
- Lower debt‑to‑income ratios
- Added trade lines
- Better rates and mortgage insurance options
- A personalized pathway to qualification
Ready to start your home financing journey? Click here to pre-apply and get started on coming home.
Financing With Confidence
When it comes to finance, we’ve got you covered with tailored options to give you more power and choice. There’s no one size solution here; you’re in the driver’s seat.
There’s power in numbers. You can choose to lower your monthly payment, build up your savings, avoid costly closing costs, and so much more. Take a look at a few of our programs below:
Zero Down Payment and Closing Costs
Get a zero-down payment option when you secure an FHA Fixed Rate first mortgage with Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc., paired with down payment assistance through a forgivable or repayable second mortgage of 3.5% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. ***
For a limited time, enjoy no closing costs which include lender, title, government, appraisal and credit report fees. ****
Plus, our Semi-Annual Sale is happening now! Read here for all the details.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Buy
Today’s housing landscape offers unique advantages:
Thanks for Reading!
Our goal from this webinar was simple: give you the knowledge, clarity, and confidence to come home. Your journey matters, and the right guidance can make all the difference. When you’reready, the path forward is clearer than ever. Explore new Taylor Morrison homes today!
Nothing related to this complimentary Informational Webinar should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice and it is offered for general informational purposes only. Certain incentives and seller contributions may require the use of certain lenders and/or title companies for eligibility, some of which may be affiliates of your Eligible Home’s Taylor Morrison selling entity, and could affect your loan amount. Not all buyers will qualify for all offers. Please consult a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager, visit www.taylormorrison.com for our Legal Terms, Privacy Policy, Licensing and additional disclaimers and review a Purchase Agreement for additional information, disclosures and disclaimers. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, school assignments and ratings, incentives, floor plans, exteriors, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change, availability or delay without notice. All Eligible Homes subject to prior sale. This is not an offer in any state where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager or Online Sales Manager for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional state or community specific disclaimers, licensing information or other details (as applicable). © October 2025, Taylor Morrison, Inc. and its respective selling entities (collectively, “Taylor Morrison”). All rights reserved.
*Communication is intended for general informational purposes only and not as an exhaustive comparison of all factors applicable to your personal financial situation. Data used was derived from third-party sources and deemed reliable as of the date obtained, but not guaranteed, offered as investment or tax advice, or independently verified by Taylor Morrison; all information remains subject to change outside of Taylor Morrison’s control. Financed Buyers are encouraged to independently determine which loan programs are best for them.
**Qualification improvement services are provided free of charge to eligible participants and our Able.Ready.Own.® Program (“ARO”) may absorb certain related out-of-pocket costs, including the cost of consumer credit reports. Enrollment in ARO does not constitute an application for a mortgage loan or other credit. ARO Participants are under no obligation to (1) purchase a home; or (2) use Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. for related mortgage financing as a condition of purchasing a new home or as a condition for obtaining any other settlement service. ARO Participants should have no expectation of, and Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. expressly will not make, any guarantee as to loan approval or financial benefits, the timing of your personalized plan or a credit decision on a mortgage loan as part of the ARO Program’s services. The period for completing such services varies per individual. See ARO Brochure, Purchase Agreement and ARO Addendum for complete details.
***Down Payment Assistance is available at 3.5% or up to 5% of Total Purchase Price (as set forth on the Closing Disclosure) and is offered in the form of a Conventional fixed rate mortgage. Second lien options are repayable or forgivable, in conjunction with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA first mortgage. The amount of assistance can be used towards borrower’s minimum required investment, closing costs, prepaid items, or any combination of the three. Forgivable second lien option is forgiven after 36 consecutive on-time payments are made on the first lien. 5% forgivable second lien option is not available for high-balance FHA loan limits. Borrower must meet program guidelines. Loan limits, terms, and conditions apply.
Limited time No Closing Costs (“Promotion”) valid on new home contracts entered as of 3/20/26 – 3/31/26 (“Promotion Period”) on select Austin area homes (each, an “Eligible Home”). At closing, Seller agrees to pay up to 6% of the total sales price (as set forth on the Closing Disclosure) towards Promotion (which includes Lender, Title, Government, Appraisal and Credit Report Fees), discount points, prepaids, and/or escrows. Actual savings will vary by the community, floor plan, lot premium, options of home and availability.
Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure Statement
This is to give you notice that the Builder who is making this referral and is more particularly identified in the applicable purchase agreement (“Selling Entity”), has a business relationship with Taylor Morrison Home Funding, Inc. (“Taylor Morrison Home Funding”). Specifically, the Selling Entity and Taylor Morrison Home Funding are affiliates with the same parent corporation. Because of this relationship, this referral may provide Selling Entity with a financial or other benefit. Set forth below is the estimated charge or range of charges for the settlement services listed. You are NOT required to use the listed provider(s) as a condition for settlement of your loan on, or purchase, sale, or refinance of, the subject property.
THERE ARE FREQUENTLY OTHER SETTLEMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS AVAILABLE WITH SIMILAR SERVICES. YOU ARE FREE TO SHOP AROUND TO DETERMINE THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING THE BEST SERVICES AND THE BEST RATE FOR THESE SERVICES
*Specific charges are dependent upon a variety of factors, including state, interest rate, size of loan, amount of down payment and whether the loan is guaranteed or insured under a government program.
