One wrong mortgage choice can cost you your home — or save you over $100,000.
Fixed rate or ARM in 2026? With fixed rates hovering around 6.4% and ARMs starting near 5.5%, many buyers think the answer is obvious. But if you lived through 2008 — you know how dangerous that thinking can be.

I’m Ella Gurfinkel, Senior Loan Officer with 30+ years in the mortgage industry and more than 2,000 families helped. In this episode, I break down the real difference between fixed-rate mortgages and ARMs — without fear tactics, and without lender spin.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ When an ARM is a smart, strategic move
• ⚠️ When ARMs turn into a financial trap
• 📉 How adjustable rates actually work (indexes, margins, caps)
• 🏡 Real client stories — wins and hard lessons
• 💡 My personal framework to help you choose the right loan for your life, not the market hype

This episode is for buyers who want clarity, not guesses — and strategy, not hope.

🎯 Book a free strategy call and let’s choose the right mortgage together:
👉 https://calendly.com/teamella/a-conversation-with-ella-gurfinkel

Still getting your mortgage from a local bank? That could be your most expensive mistake.
Most buyers assume banks are the “safe” option — but behind the scenes, they’re often the slowest, most limited, and costliest way to get a mortgage. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what really happens when you walk into a bank for a home loan.

I’m Ella Gurfinkel, Senior Loan Officer with 30 years of experience. I’ve seen deals delayed, denied, and blown up entirely because buyers trusted banks instead of understanding how the system works.

💥 In this episode, I reveal:

• 🏦 Why banks offer fewer loan options than non-bank lenders
• 💸 The truth behind “no closing costs” — and how it quietly raises your rate
• ⏳ Why banks move slower (and how that kills deals)
• 🚫 Why banks don’t problem-solve when your file gets complicated
• 🧠 The myth: “They already know my finances”
• 📊 Why 68% of borrowers now use non-bank lenders
• ⚖️ The rare cases when a bank might actually make sense

If you’re buying or refinancing, this episode could save you months of stress — and tens of thousands of dollars.

🎯 Bring me your offer and let’s compare it side by side:
👉 https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/lo/ella-gurfinkel-188161?nmls=188161

Thinking about buying a house with friends or family? Pause — this could destroy both your relationships and your finances.
In today’s market, co-buying is trending fast. But after 30 years in mortgages, I can tell you the hard truth: 90% of joint purchases end badly — financially, emotionally, or both.

I’m Ella Gurfinkel, Senior Loan Officer with 30 years of experience and over 2,000 families served. In this episode, I break down exactly why co-buying usually fails, when it can work, and what smarter alternatives look like if you can’t afford a home on your own (yet).

💡 You’ll learn:

• 🚩 Why most co-buying arrangements turn into disasters
• 🤝 The difference between co-borrowers and co-signers (and which is riskier)
• 💳 How co-signing can quietly ruin your credit and future buying power
• 🧠 The red flags that scream “don’t do this”
• 🏠 When co-buying can work — and the strict rules it requires
• 🔄 Better alternatives if you’re not ready to buy solo

Whether you’re thinking about buying a duplex with friends, asking parents to co-sign, or pooling money for a down payment — listen before you sign anything.

👉 Ready to talk through your options the smart way?
📅 Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/teamella/a-conversation-with-ella-gurfinkel