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3 Reasons Why COVID Made Housing A Far Better Bet! Ain’t No Bubble Here!

Market-Pundit-Extraordinaire – Barry Habib – was on The National Real Estate Post again today – screaming that the media is wrong! (again). I love quoting Habib b/c his predictions prove...

September 23, 2020 3 min read
An elderly couple walks down the street together in a neighborhood. Elderly homeowners are staying in their homes rather than selling, which increases demand for housing during COVID. However, there are no signs of a housing bubble coming.

What Kind Of Property Is Right For You?

There are many different types of properties that homebuyers can purchase. There are pros and cons to each property type - so finding the right property largely depends on an individual's tastes and...

September 22, 2020 4 min read
A growing family moves into a single-family home. They found the property type that was right for them after researching and working with a mortgage broker and real estate agent.

How Much Can I Borrow For A Home Loan

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 […]

September 22, 2020 3 min read
A family of three sits on the floor of their new home with their dog while the parents read a book to their son

“You Have All The Documents, Now Fund The Loan!” Closing Process Misconceptions

We had a particularly tough transaction in July when a final records check found a foreclosure (not on the credit report) that had only been seasoned for 6.5 years instead […]

September 21, 2020 4 min read
Woman sits at table holding coffee cup looking at laptop and paperwork

What Are The Qualifications For A VA Loan?

A VA Loan (Veterans Administration Loan) is a mortgage that the VA guarantees for veterans. Some of the basic qualifications for a VA loan include adequate income, decent credit, and a Certificate...

September 19, 2020 3 min read
A veteran family welcome their service member home to the house they were able to purchase after meeting all the qualifications for a VA loan.

Whoever Has The Most Friends Wins; A Reminder That Hard Work Alone Doesn’t Cut It

NYU Professor, Scott Galloway, who I quote often b/c of his exceptional success in business, tweeted this: “People think of it as strong alpha males who deserve to win. That’s […]

September 18, 2020 3 min read
three young entrepreneur friends gather around a colleague sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen

How To Get A Home Loan In 7 Steps

Getting a home loan is easier than most prospective homebuyers often realize. Prospective homebuyers can get a home loan in these 7 easy steps!  This blog breaks the entire housing process down and...

September 18, 2020 3 min read
A young family celebrates after successfully completing the 7 steps needed to get a home a loan.

When Is The Best Time To Buy A House?

Are you considering buying a home in the Bay Area? Are you unsure of when the right time to buy is? There are many variables in the homebuying process, the first of which is deciding when to move....

September 18, 2020 4 min read
a couple who previously wondered when the best time to buy a house stand in front of their new home with their daughter beside them

Appraisal Issues – Low Values, Delays & Why; When Summer = Spring

Our Social Media Manager recently noted a lot of comments on social media  regarding appraisal issues – both low values and delays. The conditions that foster these issues are worse […]

September 17, 2020 4 min read
Home prices are skyrocketing due to limited inventory and incredibly high demand. As a result, the appraised values of homes are not meeting the purchase price due to a lack of comparable sales for appraisers to use.

Can You Be Too Old For a 30-Year Mortgage? Cheap PMI; Mortgage Calculators

A 90-year-old woman can still qualify for a 30-year mortgage even though it is very unlikely that she will be around to pay off the loan. This is because mortgage […]

September 16, 2020 2 min read
Two elderly women sit outside of their home and talk about the home they recently bought and had appraised for a 30-year mortgage with private mortgage insurance.

What Is Escrow: A California Homebuyer’s Guide

For many homebuyers in California, the escrow process can seem confusing or overwhelming, especially for first-time homebuyers. In order to help, we've outlined the process to help to provide a...

September 15, 2020 4 min read
Daughter running across lawn in front of home to her father

10% Down Jumbo Options; 80/10/10s; Rates Hit All-Time Lows – Yawn

RATES HIGHER THAN IN JULY DESPITE “RECORD LOWS” Housing Wire was reporting that mortgage rates hit all-time lows again last week – and I yawned again last week. This is […]

September 14, 2020 2 min read
a family of three stand in the doorway of their new home the mom and dad stand with their arms around one another while their curly haired daughter sitting on a moving box

4 Things to Know About VA Home Appraisals

VA home loans are one of the most common mortgage options among military members in California. The VA loan program offers 100% financing, which means you could buy a home with no down payment. This...

September 11, 2020 2 min read
A family of four sits on the porch of their home purchased with a VA home loan

What Are Closing Costs For Homebuyers?

“Closing costs” is an all encapsulating term that many homebuyers will hear often once their offer has been accepted. Closing costs consist of all the additional costs that homebuyers have to pay...

September 11, 2020 3 min read
A young homebuyer and home inspector look at the kitchen and asses additional repair costs that will need to be added to the total closing costs.
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