You too can buy a house, even in a relatively unpredictable market. Talking with first time homebuyers in California, they often say their reasons for why they haven’t chosen ownership over renting. Some common themes always emerge, which we discuss below. I don’t have a 20% down payment! Most people assume that you need 20% […]
Don’t Assume You Can’t Afford to Buy a Home in California Read More »
You know what they say: You only get one chance to make a first impression. But if you’ve been in your neighborhood for years, and have a reputation for handing out last-minute dinner mints? Your clout in the area is more ghastly than any Halloween theme we could come up with. Not in a good
The Halloween Holy Trinity Read More »
If you’re shopping for a new home in California, you can calculate the home price you can pay and the mortgage schedule you will need based on the payment, down payment, taxes, and insurance you can afford. This calculation will provide an estimate of your house price range based on the monthly payment you can
How to Calculate a Mortgage Read More »
Time spent on the loan process depends on a number of things. First, it depends on how long it takes you to find a property in California you want to call home. If you consider that search as part of the process, you should expect it to take months or possibly years. When it comes
How Long Does it Take to Get a Mortgage in California? Read More »
Purchasing a home in California is one of the most exciting and potentially stressful things you can do. The home buying process is also an emotional experience that is very personal to each buyer. When your emotions are involved in a purchase, however, you might end up skipping or overlooking certain details. Here are some suggestions
Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make Read More »
Veterans serve our country and help keep us free. It’s not an easy job, but those who are called to service can qualify for a variety of benefits, including home loans through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Knowing how VA loans work is the first step toward buying a home in California, but
What’s the Best Way for a Veteran to Get a Home Loan? Read More »
A jumbo mortgage, as the name implies, is a loan that exceeds the conforming loan limits established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. For most areas of the country, the current conforming loan limit is $417,000 for a single-family home. For higher priced markets such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, the maximum conforming limit
What is a Jumbo Mortgage? Read More »
You may have heard the good news about mortgage rates being at a three-year low. What many people don’t realize, however, is that most lenders require a credit score of at least 740 in order to qualify for those low rates. If your credit score is lower than that, you’ll end up with higher interest
Improve Your Credit for Lower Mortgage Rates Read More »
Shopping for a mortgage can be confusing and overwhelming. The internet is oversaturated with advice, and lenders seem to speak a language you don’t understand. What is the difference between APR and mortgage interest rate? How will they actually affect you now, or in the long run? What Are They? Let’s take a look at
The Difference Between APR and Mortgage Interest Rate Read More »
As a first-time homebuyer, maybe you are looking for advice, or maybe you have received more advice than you know what to do with. The process can be a bit overwhelming, but the more you can learn from experts and from the experiences of others, the smoother your home buying process will go. We’ll cover
First-Time Homebuyer? Here Are 3 Great Tips to Get You on Your Way Read More »
