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Why Appraisers Often Come In So Much Lower Than Homeowner Estimates

We once had clients who spent dozens (if not hundreds) of hours removing the popcorn ceilings from their $950,000 home. Because they put so much “sweat” into their equity, they […]

August 5, 2020 3 min read
An updated kitchen featuring a bronze wall covering and lots of plants. Homeowners are often surprised when their home improvements don't increase the value of their home as much as they thought.

Economies Of Scale; Competing In A Post-Boom World

Last Friday, I blogged about how Ford Motor Company dominated the auto industry in the 1910s by cutting costs so much that they could sell cars for less than 1/4 […]

July 31, 2020 4 min read
Four women gather around a table discussing the economies of scale for their business

Rates Hit Another All-Time Low… Yawn; Why and Will They Go Lower?

Rates edged lower again, allowing me to quote the lowest 30-year fixed-rate I have ever quoted (see our rates here). MARGINAL DROP/MARGINAL HELP FOR CONSUMERS Rates only fell marginally though,...

July 30, 2020 2 min read
A computer is pulled up to a document about mortgage rates on a desk with a houseplant in an office facing a window with a view of the neighborhood.

Should You Pay Off A Mortgage Or Invest?

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...

July 30, 2020 4 min read
A group of four friends sitting in a living room discussing whether you should pay off a mortgage or invest

90-Day Mortgage Delinquencies Hit Record Highs; Why No Foreclosures?

Almost 2 million homeowners were 90 days late with their mortgages in June, according to this National Mortgage News article. But at the same time, actual foreclosure inventory was down […]

July 29, 2020 3 min read
A white house sits in disrepair on top of a hill after the owners had walked away from the property because of their delinquent mortgage payments and pending foreclosure.

Rent Credits For Down Payment Funds

This is a quick reminder that renters can use “rent credits” towards their down payment. The entire down payment can be in the form of a rent credit in fact. […]

July 27, 2020 1 min read
Family who purcheased a home using rent credits sits on the floor of their kitchen while two children play nearby

5 Reasons To Use A Local Bay Area Mortgage Company

Are you interested in applying for a mortgage in the Bay Area? If so, where are you planning on getting the loan you need? Nowadays, homebuyers have lots of available options for home loans. There...

July 24, 2020 3 min read
Male couple sitting in their new home with moving boxes around them

Explaining The Basics of Refinancing A Mortgage

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...

July 24, 2020 2 min read
Women rolling up a carpet in the living room

7 Advantages Of An Open Floor Plan For Your Home

An open floor plan concept can make a drastic change in the visual aesthetic and usefulness of the home. This layout has recently become more popular among homebuyers and homeowners. Modern homes are...

July 24, 2020 3 min read
A family enjoys dinner together in the dining room of their open concept home.

Car Industry Vs. Mortgage Industry; Consolidation Coming? We Want To Be Ford In 1913

At the turn of the 20th century, there were almost 100 different car companies operating in Detroit alone. But by the 1920s, there were basically three companies – Ford, General […]

July 24, 2020 2 min read
Person on couch reading a book

Appraisals: Cosmetic vs. Structural Issues; Why Appraisers Often Don’t Call Out Cosmetic Issues

We recently had a purchase involving an older property and the buyers were concerned because the appraiser did not call out a broken window pane and some torn floor coverings. […]

July 23, 2020 2 min read
Appraisals Cosmetic Vs. Structural Issues

5 Things To Consider When Buying A House

These are 5 things to consider when buying a house. Every homebuyer should review when planning to purchase a home in California and Texas.

July 23, 2020 3 min read
A homebuyer is on the phone with a mortgage analyst while looking up the 5 things every buyer should consider when purchasing a home.

What Happens To Rates During Election Years?

I received this in an email on Monday: “Do you think the presidential election will have a big impact on rates if one side is elected over the other? I […]

July 22, 2020 3 min read
People are standing in a polling booth to vote on the presidential election. Election years don't always bring interest rates down.

What Do FHA Appraisers Do During Property Appraisals?

FHA loans are currently one of the most common mortgage financing choices among homebuyers in California and Texas. FHA loans are supervised by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)....

July 22, 2020 4 min read
An FHA appraiser standing in front of a house holding a tablet
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