Your First Home in Hawai‘i Starts Here | Part 3: Credit, Debt & Your Mortgage

Let’s talk about the two things no one really explains when you're buying a home in Hawai‘i: credit and debt. In this 3rd installment of my homebuyer series with mortgage expert Brian Hirono, we dive deep into how your credit score really works, what lenders are looking for, and how your monthly debt impacts what you can afford.

We break it all down — from hard vs. soft credit pulls, FICO scores, and how banks calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Even if you’ve made some money mistakes in the past (hello, college credit cards), there’s still hope — and strategy.

🎯 This episode is your no-shame, real-talk guide to getting mortgage-ready, even if your credit history isn’t perfect.

Planning to buy in 6–12 months? This is the best time to check your credit and build a plan. Want help? Let’s talk story!


Brian Hirono
[email protected]
NMLS # 2080525
-------
Contact Me:👇👇👇
Subscribe👉👉👉 @marinatolentino
Newsletter: https://marinatolentino.myflodesk.com...
IG:   / marinattolentino_  
📱Call or Text: 808-367-5988
📨Email: [email protected]
📅Schedule a Zoom call with me so we can meet "in-person": https://calendly.com/marinattolentino

Affiliate Links to Save You $$$
Moo: https://refer.moo.com/s/marina.tolentino
Nuuly: https://share.nuuly.com/marinatolentino
CE Shop: https://share.theceshop.com/x/MOWiFd
Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/33IP3F
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/marinatol...
Castmagic: https://get.castmagic.io/64ucs6n3k51y
OpusClip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=6bb79e
Oura: https://ouraring.com/product/rings/he...
-------
00:00 – Intro: The 2nd Pillar of a Mortgage = Credit + Debt
01:13 – What is credit really measuring? (Hint: not perfection)
02:31 – Why your FICO score might look different everywhere
03:28 – Hard pulls vs. soft pulls explained
05:19 – Will rate shopping hurt your credit score?
06:22 – The difference between a mortgage broker vs. retail bank
07:46 – Why your mortgage concierge (aka Brian) matters
09:16 – Credit score tiers and what gets you the best rates
11:24 – If your credit score is low, here’s what to do
13:28 – Real story: how one buyer raised their score by 60+ points fast
14:57 – What lenders actually use from your credit report
15:43 – Understanding DTI (Debt-to-Income Ratio)
16:51 – Quick math: can you afford the payment?
17:46 – Max DTI limits by loan type (FHA, VA, conventional)
18:03 – Why a good loan officer won’t stretch you too thin