Is the U.S. Dollar Going to Die? Does It Matter?

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At some point the U.S. Dollar will likely crash and lose its reserve currency status – sending the entire U.S. economy into a tailspin. Throughout history, the world’s most powerful country (economically and/or militarily) has usually provided the world’s reserve currency. Since the 15th century, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, France, Great Britain (1815 – 1920), […]Read More

Why DEFLATION Is Now Likely and SO SCARY!

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HERE’S WHAT’S SCARY: MY NEIGHBOR WAITING TO BUY HIS MERCEDES! You have no idea how scary that is! My neighbor grew up poor in Boston, played college football at the highest levels, and is now a very successful enterprise software salesman. He is also very cheap – so cheap in fact that he went without […]Read More

Is the Airbnb/Short-Term Rental Market Crashing?

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My wife Heejin and I were looking at a property in Park City, Utah last year, and the agent explained to us how easy it would be to turn it into a short-term rental and how “everyone was doing it.” And – I thought to myself… “uh, oh… holy potential glut of short-term rentals, Batman!” […]Read More

Why EVERYONE Needs A House as an Inflation Hedge Now More Than Ever!

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I often blog about reasons to buy a property, as there are many: (1) avoid rising rents with a fixed housing payment; (2) tax advantages; (3) ability to do what you want with the home; (4) forced savings/retirement nest egg; (5) pride of ownership; and (6) inflation hedge. BUT – I don’t think I drive […]Read More

The Beauty of BUYDOWNS – To Lower Payments & Save Deals

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In Friday’s blog, I explained why ARMs are NOT the solution for payment relief (because ARM rates are so close to 30-year rates) in today’s high-rate world. BUT – there is another solution for payment relief that is nothing short of awesome: TEMPORARY RATE BUYDOWNS, aka 3-2-1; 2-1; or 1-0.5 buydowns (NOTE: these are NOT […]Read More

Are Home Equity Lines (HELOCs) Still A Thing?

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The Prime Rate today is 6.25% – a full 3% higher than where it was last year at this time. Prime Rate is the rate that commercial banks charge their most creditworthy customers, usually large corporations. It matters to us though because it is also the rate that most Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) […]Read More

Why Are Banks Not Paying Higher Rates for Deposits? Why Did Rates Plummet Today Too?

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Why Interest Rates Are Rising Everywhere – Except Your Savings Account That was the headline from this recent WSJ article. Back in the 1980s, a general lack of savings in America was one of the many reasons why America was going to collapse, and we were all going to die… This was ostensibly because Japan […]Read More

What Rent vs. Buy Analyses MISS! (Huge Esoteric Benefits Of Homeownership)

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RISING RATES ALTER CALCULUS OF BUYING VS. RENTING The above headline is a link taken directly from the WSJ. I am blogging about it because rent vs. buy analyses are often ridiculously misleading and they miss so much! A typical rent vs. buy calculator like Freddie Mac’s will look at the total cost of renting […]Read More

Housing As A “Nest Egg” – Why Homeowners Have Far Higher Net Worths

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The average net worth of Americans who own homes is $1.1 million. The average net worth of Americans who don’t own homes is about $96,000 – according to this Business Insider article. Do homeowners have high net worths because they came from wealth, or do they have high net worths because they bought homes? I […]Read More

2nd Mortgage vs. HELOC (Home Equity Line); Which Is Better?

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Yesterday’s blog, 5 Reasons to Get a HELOC, was inspired by a question from my nephew – as he is a perfect candidate for a HELOC. He is in his early thirties – and he has a family to support, about a half-million in equity, a very low rate first mortgage, an excellent job, and […]Read More

When ALL Assets Are Crashing – Make Sure There Is A “There There”

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Pets.com famously spent $46 on advertising for every $10 in sales and flamed out in one of the most famous dotcom busts. The model was flawed from the start, and in hindsight it seems obvious that they could never generate profits – but investors bought up the stock by the bushel anyway.Read More

The Cost of Waiting To Buy…

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A pre-approved buyer of ours is devastated because he lost $75,000 of purchase power, despite getting a raise, and is now priced out of his desired market. This is a result of two things: (1) higher rates; and (2) waiting months to make offers.Read More

When Debt Is a VERY GOOD Thing! (& Why We Love Tradelines)

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We often have clients who come to us looking for their first home, very proud that they’ve “never had an ounce of debt” in their “entire life.” No credit cards, no car loan, not a dollar financed – ever. These poor people are then shocked to find out that they can’t finance their first home […]Read More

Why The NASDAQ Impacts Homebuying So Much

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After the 2008 meltdown, a borrower told me how sad she and her husband were because they lost $250,000. They bought their home in the 1990s for $300,000 and watched it appreciate to $1 million by 2006ish. Interestingly, they pulled cash out every 18 months to buy boats, jet skis, new cars, and vacations.Read More

Why Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

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What Is Refinancing Refinancing is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to change their mortgage rate and terms to lower their interest rate, monthly payment, or cash out some of their property’s accumulated equity.  There are two types of refinances available for homeowners:  Rate/Term Refinance: A rate and term refinance is the refinancing of an existing […]Read More

Programs and Loans For A First Time Homebuyer

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As a first time homebuyer, you have many loan programs and grants to choose from that help you afford your first real estate purchase. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best of these programs, grants, and loans that generally assist with the down payment and closing costs for first time homebuyers like yourself. […]Read More

What Is A Jumbo Loan In California?

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What Is A Jumbo Loan? A jumbo loan in California is a loan amount that exceeds the conforming county loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). A jumbo loan is a conventional (not government-insured) mortgage loan. Because jumbo loans do not conform to the loan limits set out by the FHFA, they are not […]Read More

What Is A Jumbo Loan In Texas?

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So, what is a jumbo loan in Texas in 2022? A jumbo loan is a conventional (not government-insured) mortgage loan that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) that buy and securitize mortgage loans. Jumbo loans usually have stricter underwriting guidelines because they are not […]Read More

A Second Home Vs. An Investment Property

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Looking to purchase a second home? Or maybe your goal is to buy an investment property. It’s important to know the difference between an investment property and a second home. Especially because obtaining mortgage financing for each of the two is a very different process where the costs can vary dramatically.  Differences Between Second Homes And […]Read More

Does Credit Karma Lie To You?

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After my wife Heejin and I moved to Texas, Credit Karma sent me an email with this subject line: “You’re making moves, Jay. Literally.” It reminded me of the Police song in which Sting croons: “With every step you take, I’ll be watching you,” because I definitely felt stalked. And yes, I had to work […]Read More

Proving Taxes Are Real & Filed; IRS Form 4506-C

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Mortgage lenders are required to get the last two years of tax returns for almost every borrower – and then prove that the tax returns are authentic and actually filed with the IRS. IRS Form 4506-C This is why every borrower has to sign an IRS Form 4506-C (formerly called a 4506-T) as part of […]Read More

Reverse Mortgages For Millionaires? Removing The Reverse Stigma

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I recently chatted with a couple that owes about $800,000 against a $2.5 million home. They are in their early to mid 70’s and they want to keep their home, lower their housing payment to free up cash for other expenses (such as long-term care insurance), and fully retire. Most of their net worth is […]Read More

DON’T Pay Down Your Mortgage With Lump Sums; Here’s Why

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Yesterday, I blogged about “recasting” or re-amortizing a mortgage after a lump sum paydown. And a friend of mine who runs a major mortgage company on the East Coast (Craig Strent with Apex Home Loans) emailed me to suggest today’s follow-up blog – pointing out why paying down a mortgage too quickly is usually a […]Read More

Why Cash (And Living Lean) Is King: When Steve Jobs Was Broke

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MAKING MILLIONS AND MOVING BACK TO MOM’S BASEMENT In 2010, NPR released its now very famous “Giant Pool of Money” podcast about the 2008 mortgage meltdown. And – in it they interviewed a former subprime mortgage salesman who had been making $1 million per year for several years, even though he was right out of […]Read More

America Always Bounces Back; Sage Investment Advice! Good For Psyche Too

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FOUNDER BUYS STOCKS AFTER BLACK MONDAY CRASH I was working for an investment bank on “Black Monday” in 1987 when the stock market crashed and fell 20% in a single day – a record drop. Everyone was literally freaking out. But the day after the crash, the founder of the firm, who was in his […]Read More

$120 For A Piece of Fruit? Capital Gains Changes Could Spark MORE Selling; Why You Can’t Catch An Uber

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BIDDING WAR FOR AN APPLE This very short TikTok video went viral last week, as it well should have b/c it is both so illustrative and entertaining. I had to share it again just in case any readers have not seen it. The best line: “I’ll take it for $100 – I’m from California and […]Read More

“Reserves” – Why & When They Are SO IMPORTANT!

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WHY TWO NEARLY IDENTICAL BORROWERS GOT 1/2% DIFFERENT RATES We recently had two nearly identical borrowers get rate quotes that were 1/2% different on the same day they were quoted and here’s why: I often blog about The 13 Factors That Influence A Borrower’s Mortgage Rate. And the above two borrowers were nearly identical for […]Read More

Why Inflation Makes Your Fixed-Rate Mortgage An Asset

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Dave Ramsey is a financial guru who encourages paying off all debts, including our mortgages. Here are Ramsey’s 7 Steps for taking control of our finances. A lot of other finance “gurus” of sorts take serious issue with Ramsey, though, because his advice only works in a world with minimal or falling inflation – a […]Read More

How Long Does It Take To Get Pre-Approved And Apply For A Mortgage?

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Agents frequently ask us how long it takes to apply for a loan, and how long it takes to get pre-approved (so they can share the info with their clients). Our answer is always that “it depends” b/c there are so many variables, but that it takes much less time than it did in the […]Read More

Understanding Your Credit Score And How To Improve It

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There are many components to your individual financial profile that lenders assess when examining a mortgage application. One of the most important is your credit score. A question for many first time homebuyers is, what is a good credit score? And how can you improve it? What Is A Credit Score? Three different credit reporting […]Read More

Are Home Equity Loans Tax Deductible?

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Homeowners cannot claim tax deductions on home equity loans in some cases. However, they can still benefit from cash-out refinancing programs to use the equity they’ve accrued in their homes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed by President Trump in December 2017, introduced this change. Interest paid on home equity loans is no longer […]Read More

Can I Still Get A Home Loan With A Low Credit Score?

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A critical factor that influences a person’s eligibility for a mortgage is their credit score. But what if you have a low credit score? Are you not going to qualify for a loan? This is a widespread concern among homebuyers with low credit scores. However, it’s also a tough question to answer because every loan […]Read More

What Are Closing Costs And What Do They Include?

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The cost of purchasing a home includes more than just the down payment. In addition to the down payment, you will also need to pay closing costs which include various items and costs. It is crucial that homebuyers keep these in mind when budgeting. On average, closing costs range from 2% to 5% of the […]Read More

When Is The Best Season to Buy a Home?

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The best season to buy a home is…winter! In addition to a reduced number of buyers plus more enthusiastic sellers, the slow season of winter allows all parties involved in a sale to really concentrate on each transaction that comes along. This can mean a shorter time period between offer and settlement. Let’s dive into […]Read More

Negative Rates Are Coming; What It Means For Real Estate And Mortgages

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Negative interest rates are heading our way – with certainty – according to Luke Gromen, a macroeconomist who was featured on The Investor’s Podcast recently. Mr. Gromen believes that the Fed and the U.S. government have no choice but to continue to push rates down in whatever way possible in order to finance our massive […]Read More

Is Renting Or Buying Better For You?

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Many people want to know if renting or buying a home is right for them and their finances. There are pros and cons to renting and buying a home. To find out if you should continue to rent or if you’re prepared to own, check out the rest of this blog. Pros Of Renting Possible […]Read More

Getting The “Best Deal” Cost Client $300,000; It’s %’s; Putting Money Where Your Mouth Is

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In 2010, we had a client shopping for homes in what was and still is one of the hottest markets in the entire country – “the Rockridge” neighborhood in Oakland, CA. He was well-qualified with ample cash and low debt ratios, but he was determined to get the best deal possible; he was convinced that […]Read More

The Requirements To Purchase A Home With A Mortgage

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Are you considering buying a home and plan on using a mortgage loan to help finance your purchase? If so, there are some requirements you should be aware of before you start the process. Buying a home is a significant investment that most often requires mortgage assistance to finance such a large purchase. To secure […]Read More

“I’m 8 Years Into My Loan & My Rate is 3.625%, Should I Refi?”

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JVM: READY FOR REFI’S! First and foremost, JVM is open and ready to take on ALL refinances again! We had to temporarily shut them down last summer simply b/c we locked in so many that we swamped our system. But, now that we have cleared out our pipeline, aligned with a new (much faster) mortgage […]Read More

How To Minimize Your Down Payment

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As of June 2020, a 20% down payment on a median-priced home in the Bay Area would cost a homebuyer around $228,205. You could minimize your down payment with these simple tips. Homebuyers don’t have to use a 20% down payment when purchasing a home. However, many choose to do so because a 20% down […]Read More

Can You Avoid Paying Mortgage Closing Costs?

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What Are Mortgage Closing Costs? Mortgage closing costs consist of all the additional costs that homebuyers have to pay as they prepare to close on their home. There are two types of mortgage closings costs: Nonrecurring closing costs Recurring closing costs Nonrecurring Closing Costs Nonrecurring mortgage closing costs include all one-time fees that buyers pay […]Read More

How Do Credit Scores Affect Your Mortgage Rate

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Credit scores are among the most critical factors that lenders look at to assess a homebuyer’s loan qualifications. Credit scores can affect the mortgage interest rate homebuyers receive from their lender. WHAT DETERMINES A MORTGAGE RATE? Many factors affect your mortgage rate, especially your credit scores. Here are a few of the most common and […]Read More

How Much Can I Borrow For A Home Loan

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It is crucial for a homebuyer to understand how much you can borrow when you applying for a loan. This question is one of the biggest on every potential homebuyer’s mind. The answer will determine where you will look for homes, what you can offer, and how much you’ll have to save. We’ve put together […]Read More

Pay Cash For House Now & Get Financing After Close; “Delayed Financing”

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Despite the COVID crisis, there seem to be more cash-rich buyers than ever right now in our three biggest markets – Bay Area, Austin, TX, and Dallas, TX. This is a result of several things, including the thriving tech economies of Austin and the Bay Area; the prevalence of cash-rich Californians taking their home equity […]Read More

A Senior Citizen’s Guide to Home Loans and Reverse Mortgages

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Can an individual ever be too old to buy a home? The answer is an emphatic no; you’re never too old to buy a home. If you have the money, or qualify to get a home loan, there is no age limit for buying a new home. While anyone who qualifies for a home loan […]Read More

Homebuyers Should Know These Five Home Loan Types

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  There are lots of home loan types to consider when buying a home in California or Texas. It makes sense that first-time homebuyers tend to feel confused and overwhelmed. So let’s simplify things. Mortgages are not one-size-fits-all. There are various programs available, but finding the best option largely depends on the buyer’s financial situation […]Read More

Should You Pay Off A Mortgage Or Invest?

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The choice between investing or paying off your mortgage can be difficult. Wanting to reach your financial goals but not knowing which is better is a common challenge. Buying a home can be exciting and stressful, especially if you’re planning to use a mortgage to purchase a home. Because of this, many people want to […]Read More

Explaining The Basics of Refinancing A Mortgage

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There are many possible benefits to refinancing your home mortgage. You may have heard from friends or neighbors who have already refinanced about some of the various advantages connected to refinancing your mortgage. For instance, refinancing can lead to a lower mortgage payment, a quicker timeline for paying off your mortgage, a lower interest rate, […]Read More

How to Get a Low Down Payment: A Guide for Borrowers

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For many homebuyers, the down payment is the most significant obstacle on the road to homeownership. This is why so many homebuyers are looking for mortgage loans with low down payment options when purchasing a home. We’ve outlined a few of the ways borrowers can get a low down payment and how they may be […]Read More

Is 751 A Good Credit Score?

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“What is a good credit score to buy a house?” “Is 715 a good credit score? Credit scores are often at the top of every prospective homebuyer’s mind when they begin their house hunt. Mortgage lenders pull credit scores for homebuyers from three major bureaus: Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. When lenders pull credit, they correlate […]Read More