JVM’s Blog

Your Trusted Guide for Mortgages & Real Estate

Latest Articles

When Appraisers Are Right (Which Is Often)

We have an excellent pool of hand-picked appraisers that I tout often as a competitive edge. I tout them often b/c we used to get burned all the time when […]

June 19, 2020 2 min read
White garage with classic chevrolet pick up parked in front

Purchase Applications Hit 11 Year High; Refis = 63% of Volume

The Mortgage Bankers Association surveys multiple mortgage banks every week and then releases all of the data. The most recent survey, discussed in this National Mortgage News article, is...

June 18, 2020 3 min read
Man packing clothes in a box while women uses laptop

VA Loans in California – Our Top 5 Most Common Questions

VA loans are a great loan product for eligible veterans and active-duty members, mainly because of the zero down payment option. VA loans also have less stringent lending requirements compared to...

June 18, 2020 4 min read
Military family of three

Interest Only Loans Vs. Fully Amortized Loans

Borrowers often ask for “Interest Only” (IO) loans because they want lower mortgage payments, and we discourage them for a variety of reasons. I am discussing the pros and cons […]

June 17, 2020 2 min read
A woman wearing a yellow sweater researches Interest Only Loans (IO) and considers them for their lower payments.

Is 751 A Good Credit Score?

"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...

June 17, 2020 4 min read
Is 751 A Good Credit Score

Condition Issues; What’s “Lendable”; Don’t Disclose in MLS if “As Is”

We recently had an “as is” purchase almost blow up again b/c condition issues were disclosed in the MLS. This is another reminder to make sure the MLS references no […]

June 15, 2020 3 min read
A home for sale

Are Cash Out Refinances A Good Idea?

When homeowners purchase a new home, they instantly start to accumulate equity in their new home. For some homeowners, taking cash out from their home equity can be a great way to pay off credit card...

June 12, 2020 2 min read
A mother sends her child off to school that she was able to pay for with funds from a cash out refinance.

Why Home Prices Did Not Crash With 15% Unemployment? Planet Money Explains

After the COVID-19 crisis was in full force, I wrote several blogs in March and April pointing out why I thought housing prices would not crash as a result of […]

June 12, 2020 3 min read
A pink apartment building with laundry hanging on a clothesline out the window. Home prices did not crash in response to the COVID-19 crisis and 15% unemployment and supply and demand remains strong.

“Fed Plans to Keep Rates at Low Levels for Years” What Are “Rates?”

This blog’s subject line is borrowed directly from this WSJ article. Fed Chairman Powell stated in early June that there are no rate increases in sight and that the Fed […]

June 11, 2020 4 min read
Busy street downtown

Why Borrowers Should Not Pay Points to Buy Down Interest Rates

This is a topic I touch on or repeat at least once per year b/c borrowers continue to ask us if they “should buy down their rate,” and our answer […]

June 10, 2020 3 min read
A man sits on the couch in his living room with his head in his hands regretfully. Everyone who paid points in 2009 to buy down their interest rate wasted their money.

Actions To Avoid After Getting Pre-Approved For A Mortgage

JVM Lending has seen many homebuyers knock themselves out of qualifying range after getting pre-approved for a mortgage. These actions should be avoided by homebuyers after getting pre-approved for a...

June 9, 2020 3 min read
a young couple is out shopping together downtown. Homebuyers should not take on new debt from increasing credit card balances after getting pre-approved for a mortgage..

In Defense of Cities & Large Offices

I once had a client who was a commercial airline pilot living in San Francisco. As a pilot, he could live anywhere in the U.S., so he decided to sell […]

June 8, 2020 4 min read
JVM team covid trick

Buyer or Seller: Who Pays Real Estate Commissions?

How are real estate commissions set and who is responsible for paying them? We find these are common questions among both buyers and sellers which is why we're answering them for readers.

June 5, 2020 4 min read
Realtor showing home to a young couple

Rates Edge Higher Again; Normality? Will Rates Fall Further?

Mortgage interest rates edged higher again today, and the 10 Year Treasury is at its highest level since late March. Rates edged higher largely in response to a stronger than […]

June 5, 2020 2 min read
Woman sitting on the floor of her living room writing in a journal
You are less than 60 seconds away from your quote.

Resume from where you left off. No obligations.