What is Signing Home Loans™?
Signing Home Loans™ is a national mortgage team powered by Waterstone Mortgage and led by Sean and Margie Hennessey. We help homebuyers, homeowners, Veterans, investors, and families understand their mortgage options and build the right financing strategy for their goals. We serve clients in 48 states and provide communication in both English and American Sign Language.
Who are Sean and Margie Hennessey?
Sean and Margie Hennessey are the husband-and-wife team behind Signing Home Loans™. Sean is a branch manager, mortgage loan originator, longtime purchase specialist, and homebuyer educator with more than 20 years of mortgage lending experience. Margie is a mortgage professional, CODA, and fluent ASL communicator with decades of experience serving homebuyers and the Deaf community.
Do you work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing homebuyers?
Yes. Signing Home Loans™ was built in part to provide better mortgage access and communication for Deaf and hard-of-hearing homebuyers. Margie is a CODA fluent in ASL, and our team understands that accessibility means more than simply providing an interpreter. We focus on direct communication, clear explanations, and making sure buyers can ask questions comfortably throughout the process.
Do you work with hearing homebuyers too?
Absolutely. Signing Home Loans™ serves both hearing and Deaf homebuyers. Our team works with first-time buyers, repeat buyers, veterans, investors, builders, relocating families, and borrowers with more complex financing needs.
What states do you serve?
Through Waterstone Mortgage, Signing Home Loans™ serves homebuyers in 48 states* (excluding HI & NY). Contact us to confirm availability for your specific location and loan program.
What types of home loans do you offer?
We help clients explore a wide range of mortgage options, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, land, investment property, DSCR, refinance, and specialty loan programs. The right option depends on your goals, finances, property type, and overall strategy.
Do you specialize in VA home loans?
Yes. Sean has worked with veterans and service members for more than two decades and has extensive experience with VA purchase and refinance loans. Our team also provides VA homebuyer education to help military families understand how to use their VA home loan benefit effectively.
Do you offer loans for investment properties?
Yes. We offer several investment property financing options, including programs for traditional investment properties and DSCR loans. Some investor programs may allow lower down payment options or qualification based primarily on the property's rental income rather than the borrower's personal income.
What is a DSCR loan?
DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. A DSCR loan is designed for real estate investors and generally focuses on whether the property's rental income is sufficient to cover the property's monthly housing expense. This can make it an attractive option for investors who do not want qualification to depend primarily on personal income and debts.
Do you offer construction loans?
Yes. We help clients explore construction financing, including one-time-close construction options, land and construction financing, and programs designed for borrowers building a custom home.
Can first-time homebuyers work with Signing Home Loans™?
Yes. First-time homebuyers are a major part of what we do. We help buyers understand credit, down payment options, monthly payment expectations, loan programs, closing costs, and the overall homebuying process before they make major decisions.
Do you offer homebuyer education classes?
Yes. Sean and Margie provide free homebuyer education through HomebuyingFORrookies™, also known as HBFR.org. Classes cover topics such as first-time homebuying, VA loans, investment properties, mortgage strategies, and more. Some classes are offered entirely in ASL.
Are your homebuyer classes free?
Yes. HBFR.org classes are free and designed to provide practical education without pressure or obligation.
Can I take a class before I apply for a mortgage?
Yes. In fact, many buyers attend a class before applying. Education can help you understand your options, your budget, and the steps involved before you begin the mortgage process.
How do I communicate with your team if I use ASL?
We can communicate through video, Zoom, FaceTime, text, email, and other accessible methods. Margie communicates directly in ASL, allowing many Deaf buyers to work with the mortgage team without relying exclusively on a third-party interpreter for everyday communication.
Do I need to provide my own ASL interpreter for closing?
The settlement or title provider is generally responsible for providing effective communication and appropriate accessibility when required. Buyers should not be expected to personally pay for required interpreting services simply because they are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Can you help me figure out how much home I can afford?
Yes. Rather than focusing only on a purchase price, we help buyers understand the monthly payment, cash needed at closing, financing options, and how the mortgage fits into their overall budget and lifestyle.
Do you help buyers who are relocating?
Yes. We work with relocating buyers throughout the country and can help coordinate mortgage planning with Realtors and other professionals in the destination market.
Can you help with a refinance?
Yes. We help homeowners evaluate refinance opportunities, including rate-and-term refinances, cash-out refinances, VA IRRRLs, and other strategies. A refinance should make financial sense for the homeowner, so we review the numbers and goals before recommending a direction.
How do I get started?
You can contact Signing Home Loans™ directly to discuss your goals, ask questions, attend a free homebuyer class, or begin a mortgage application. We are happy to start with a conversation and help you determine the next best step.
Why do you say, “The Right Team Matters. The Right Strategy Matters.”?
Because a mortgage is more than an interest rate or a loan program. The right financing strategy should take into account your goals, budget, timing, property, long-term plans, and the professionals working together on your behalf. Our goal is to help clients understand their options and make informed decisions.
