“Most mortgage books tell you how to get approved. This one tells you how to think. RL Hesson’s background in analytics and real estate investing gives him a perspective you won’t find in a typical lending guide. The real client stories make every concept concrete and memorable. I finished it in two sittings and immediately started rethinking my refinancing plan. If you’re buying, refinancing, or investing, read this first.”
Robert S.
Franklin, TN
MORTGAGE EDUCATION FROM RL HESSON
The Mortgage Playbook
An Insider’s Guide to Smarter Home Financing Decisions
Most buyers are taught to focus on one number: the interest rate. But the right mortgage decision also depends on loan structure, available cash, timing, flexibility, and long-term goals.
The Mortgage Playbook gives homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors a practical framework for understanding those trade-offs and making more informed financing decisions.
View the Book on Amazon Meet the AuthorA Practical Guide to Smarter Mortgage Decisions
The mortgage process can feel confusing because most people encounter it only a few times in their lives. This book explains what happens behind the scenes, why seemingly similar loan options can produce very different outcomes, and which questions borrowers should ask before committing to a financing strategy.
What You’ll Learn
- Why the lowest mortgage rate is not always the best loan
- How to prepare six to twelve months before buying
- How to evaluate different down-payment options
- What lenders consider when reviewing a borrower
- How pre-qualification differs from a meaningful pre-approval
- How mortgage points, temporary buydowns, and loan structure affect cost
- What self-employed borrowers and real estate investors should understand
- How to navigate relocation, refinancing, appraisal issues, and closing
Who This Book Is For
The Mortgage Playbook is designed for:
- First-time homebuyers who want to understand the process before making an offer
- Move-up buyers and relocating families coordinating multiple financial decisions
- Self-employed borrowers with complex or nontraditional income
- Real estate investors evaluating leverage, cash flow, and DSCR financing
- Homeowners considering whether refinancing creates meaningful value
What’s Inside
22 short chapters in four parts, built around real client stories, plus a homebuyer’s checklist and a glossary of mortgage terms. Open a part to see its chapters.
Part I: Thinking About Mortgages the Right Way
- Why I See Mortgages Differently
- The Mortgage Industry Most Buyers Never See
- The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Make
Part II: Building Your Mortgage Foundation
- Preparing for a Mortgage 6–12 Months Before Buying
- How to Choose the Right Mortgage Advisor
- The Down Payment Decision
- Just Because You’re Approved Doesn’t Mean You Should Borrow It
- Why the Lowest Rate Isn’t Always the Best Loan
- What Lenders Actually Look For
- Pre-Qualification Versus Pre-Approval: Why the Difference Matters
Part III: From Application to Closing Day
- Choosing the Right Mortgage Program
- Fixed Versus Adjustable: Choosing the Right Mortgage Structure
- Mortgage Points and Rate Buydowns
- What Happens After You Go Under Contract
- Understanding Your Closing Documents
- When the Appraisal Doesn’t Match the Price
Part IV: Special Situations, Strategy, and Planning
- The Challenge of Self-Employed Borrowers
- When Life Changes: Mortgages During Major Transitions
- From Homeowner to Real Estate Investor
- Scaling a Real Estate Portfolio with Mortgages
- Refinancing Strategy: When It Actually Makes Sense
- Thinking Like a Mortgage Strategist
Plus: The Homebuyer’s Mortgage Checklist, with what to do before you apply, before you make an offer, after you go under contract and before closing, and a glossary of mortgage terms.
What Readers Say
This book should be a prerequisite before anyone buys or sells a home and I don’t just mean first-time homebuyers. … RL does an incredible job breaking down what can be an intimidating and confusing process into language that’s easy to understand. The real-life examples throughout the book make the concepts relatable and, more importantly, actionable.
G.M., verified Amazon review, September 2026
Read the reviews on Amazon, or, if you’d rather talk through your own numbers, book a strategy call.
About the Author
RL Hesson is the founder and principal mortgage broker at Hesson Loans, an independent mortgage brokerage based in Franklin, Tennessee. His background in analytics, executive leadership, real estate investing, and mortgage lending shaped the strategy-first approach presented throughout The Mortgage Playbook.
RL works directly with homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors across Tennessee.
RL Hesson | NMLS #2192188
Hesson Loans, LLC | NMLS #2696086
Learn more about RL Hesson →
The Mortgage Playbook and the information on this page are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, tax, financial, investment, or individualized mortgage advice. Mortgage programs, guidelines, and availability can change and depend on borrower and property qualifications. All loans are subject to credit approval.
Continue the Conversation
Every borrower’s financial picture, property, timeline, and goals are different. If you would like help applying these concepts to your own mortgage decision, schedule a conversation with RL.
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