How AI Can Help You Buy a Home Smarter & Faster in 2025

How Shawn Carson Is Helping First-Time Homebuyers Win in 2025

In today’s unpredictable housing market, many people feel like homeownership is out of reach. High interest rates, rising home prices, and ever-changing loan requirements can make the process feel overwhelming. But mortgage expert Shawn Carson of Quontic Bank and The Carson Mortgage Team is on a mission to change that.

With over two decades of experience, Shawn is guiding first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, and multi-generational families through the home loan process with clarity, creativity, and compassion. His recent interview on The Dream Is Real Podcast breaks down exactly how he’s helping people turn the dream of homeownership into reality in 2025.

Shawn didn’t start out in lending. He got his start in real estate back in 2001, working part-time and constantly asking loan officers how things worked. After 9/11 wiped out several deals, he pivoted into the mortgage business—and he hasn’t looked back.

"I always gravitated toward numbers," he explains. With a business background and an MBA, Shawn found lending to be a natural fit. But what keeps him going is the human side of the business: helping people achieve one of life’s biggest milestones.

According to Shawn, no two mortgage deals are alike. "Every transaction has its own twist," he says. That’s why he insists on a personalized approach. His team takes time to understand each client’s financial situation, goals, and obstacles—then builds a strategy that works for them.

He emphasizes the importance of treating each buyer as unique. "You can't just plug people into a system and hope it works. You have to get creative."

Shawn uses a simple formula to explain how mortgage approvals work:

• C = Credit: Lenders look at your middle score from the three major bureaus.

• I = Income: Gross monthly income, not take-home pay, is what matters.

• A = Assets: Your savings and reserves also play a major role.

Understanding this formula helps buyers see the bigger picture and feel more confident about where they stand.

One common myth Shawn dispels is that you need to be debt-free to apply for a mortgage. In reality, paying off all your debt right before applying can actually hurt your credit score.

"We want your mortgage application to look like a class picture," he says. "Make it clean, polished, and ready to submit—but not altered in a way that ruins your chances."

Self-employed? No problem. Shawn specializes in working with entrepreneurs and freelancers. One of the key tools he uses is Quontic Bank’s Light Doc Program. Instead of requiring full tax returns, it allows self-employed buyers to qualify with a simple 12-month profit and loss statement from a CPA.

"There’s a lot of flexibility in this program," he explains. "It helps a lot of people who might otherwise be told no."

In a market where affordability is tight, Shawn encourages families to think creatively—like buying a home together across generations. Parents and adult children, for example, can combine income to qualify for more.

He recently closed a deal where a daughter and her father bought a home together. It was the father’s first time owning property—at over 60 years old.

"They had different ideas about how to get to the goal, but the same goal. We helped them find common ground."

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are now allowed under FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac guidelines. That means buyers can count rental income from a basement apartment or backyard unit as part of their qualifying income.

"That $2,000 in rental income could be the difference between a loan approval or denial," Shawn says. "It’s a game-changer."

Despite the challenges, Shawn believes there’s opportunity in today’s market. Prices are stabilizing, and interest rates may decline in the near future. Buying now could position homeowners to refinance later and gain equity sooner.

"People who waited in 2022 are paying more now," he says. "Don’t miss the window because you're afraid. Work with the right team and make a move.

Shawn and his team are known for transparency, timely closings, and doing what’s right for the client. Most of their business comes from referrals—and it shows.

You can reach him at:

• 🌐 Website: www.thecarsonmortgageteam.com

• 📱 Call or Text: (718) 915-8965

Dream Select Realty is your partner in navigating New York real estate, from Long Island to the boroughs. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, they’re ready to help.

• 🌐 Website: www.dreamselectrealty.com

• 📧 Email: hometeam@dreamselectrealty.com

• 📞 Phone: (631) 623-7117

• 📲 Social: @dreamselectrealty on IG, TikTok | @dreamselecthome on X