First Time Home Buyer
Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming. However, as a California first-time homebuyer, you have access to resources that will make the process more manageable. As a mortgage industry expert with over 20 years of experience, I
Homebuyer Checklist
Buying a home can seem daunting at first, but with our simplified homebuyer checklist, buying a home will be a bit easier. Our Homebuyer checklist will help you prepare your financial documentation, show you the importance of researching, how to
How To Make A Budget To Buy A House
Figuring out your home purchase budget is a big part of the homebuying process. To determine that, you must have a clear picture of your income, debts, down payment, loan program, and what level of monthly mortgage payment you think
First-Time Homebuyer Tips
A successful home purchase starts long before you sign the dotted line, especially for first-time homebuyers. Preparations should start months or even years before you buy your first home. The more prepared you are, the more likely you’ll meet your
Top Ten Mistakes When Buying A Home
Here is a list of the top ten mistakes made when buying a home. 1. Looking for a home without being pre-approved Pre-approval and pre-qualification are two different things. During the pre-qualification process, a loan officer asks you a few
Down Payment Gift
Buying a home is the “American Dream.” With home prices seemingly going up yearly, the biggest hurdle to buying a home is a sufficient down payment. From the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2025, the average
Ten Ways To Save For Down Payment
With all the expenses people have each month, setting aside money so that you have a down payment for a house may seem almost impossible. There’s rent, a car loan payment, maybe a gym membership, dinners out, and more. However,
Temporary Buydown Mortgage
A temporary buydown mortgage is a program that allows for a short-term interest rate reduction for a specified period. The short-term reduction comes with a cost paid by the homebuyer or the property seller to the lender. A temporary buydown
How To Get A Mortgage Pre-Approval
Every month, Californians across the state begin their homebuying search. Some start online, and others reach out to a local realtor. However, the very first step should be a mortgage pre-approval. Below, I’ll cover what a mortgage pre-approval is, the
Buying A Home With Bad Credit
Buying a home with bad credit isn’t as hard as it seems. Many assume you need ‘perfect credit’ to qualify, but you don’t. Yes, good credit helps you get better terms and lower rates, but bad credit doesn’t mean you