Editorial Standards & Content Review Policy

Our purpose

The Smith Mortgage Group publishes educational mortgage content to help consumers understand loan programs, application steps, common terminology and questions to discuss with a mortgage professional. Our goal is clarity and accuracy, not to replace advice based on an individual borrower’s finances or a lender’s current underwriting decision.

Who is responsible for the content

The Smith Mortgage Group Editorial Team is the publisher and content owner for educational pages on this website. Mortgage subject-matter questions may be directed to the professional contact below.

A professional contact identifies who consumers may contact about mortgage subject matter. A page will use the separate label “Reviewed by” only after the named professional has completed and approved a documented content review.

How we research mortgage information

Program rules and consumer guidance are checked against primary sources whenever available. Our preferred source hierarchy is:

• Federal agencies and regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Program administrators, including HUD/FHA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and USDA Rural Development.
• Government-sponsored enterprise and regulator materials for conventional lending topics.
• Current lender or investor guidance when a detail is specific to a particular product.

Secondary sources may help explain a topic, but they do not replace controlling program or lender requirements.

Writing and professional review

• Content should explain material conditions, exceptions and qualification dependencies—not only potential benefits.
• Time-sensitive numbers such as loan limits, fees, rates and credit thresholds must include relevant context or a source and should not be presented as universal guarantees.
• Pages that display a named “Reviewed by” credit require documented review by that person before publication or after a material revision.
• Marketing claims, awards, review counts and geographic licensing statements require supporting evidence and a review date.
• Examples and calculator results must be labeled as estimates and state major exclusions when applicable.

Update schedule

Core loan-program and consumer-guide pages are reviewed after material agency or lender changes and are scheduled for review at least annually. Pages containing time-sensitive limits, rates, fees or regulatory information require more frequent checks. Each priority page displays a visible “Last updated” date; that date changes only when the page has been meaningfully reviewed or revised.

Corrections

If we identify a material error, we correct the page promptly and update its revision date. To report a possible error, email sterling.smith@fcmhomeloans.com or use our contact page. Please include the page URL and the statement you believe needs review.

Independence and commercial context

This is a mortgage business website, not an independent product-comparison or consumer-rating publication. Content may describe programs or services offered through First Community Mortgage. Availability and terms are determined through application, verification, underwriting and applicable law; educational content does not create an offer or approval.

Licensing verification

NMLS Consumer Access is the public service for viewing licensing and registration information for mortgage companies and professionals. Consumers should verify the individual and company record for the state where the property is located before relying on a general geographic service statement.

Policy owner: The Smith Mortgage Group Editorial Team · Effective July 30, 2026 · Next scheduled policy review: July 2027