Retirement should be a time of comfort and financial security. For many seniors, a reverse mortgage offers a way to tap into home equity without the burden of monthly mortgage payments. This innovative financial solution can transform your home equity into a powerful tool for enhancing your retirement lifestyle. Here's a closer look at the seven key benefits of reverse mortgages for seniors. 1. Access to Home Equity Without Moving  A reverse mortgage allows seniors to access... [read more]

  In the heart of Perris, California, lies a property with a story that epitomizes resilience, strategic planning, and the power of a well-executed sale, even amidst challenges that would deter the average seller and agent. The property at 2009 Porch Swing Ave is not just a structure; it's a testament to what can be achieved with expertise, determination, and a deep understanding of the real estate market. This blog post delves into the journey of selling this home, offering... [read more]

The real estate market has witnessed significant changes over the past few years, with rising home prices and increased mortgage interest rates causing potential buyers to pause and reconsider their decision to invest in a home. However, despite these challenges, purchasing a property in today's market can still be a smart financial move. In this blog, we delve into three compelling reasons why buying a home now is a wise decision, even in the face of escalating costs. 1. Long-Term... [read more]

Relocating to a new state can be an adventure filled with new opportunities and experiences. Whether you're moving to the sunny coasts of California, the bustling cities of Texas, the historic charm of Georgia, or the vibrant atmosphere of Las Vegas, each location offers its own unique lifestyle and opportunities. To help ensure your move is as seamless as possible, here are five essential tips to guide you through the process. 1. Plan and Research Thoroughly Before packing your first... [read more]

Navigating the world of real estate as a first-time homebuyer can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding the financial aspects of purchasing a property. A common dilemma many face is whether to focus on securing the lowest interest rate or prioritize the affordability of monthly mortgage payments. Here, we delve into five compelling reasons first-time homebuyers should concentrate more on the latter. 1. Budget Management Understanding Your Financial Comfort... [read more]

2009 Porch Swing Ave, Perris, CA Click here to Get Directions         Photos Maps & Local Schools Print $ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 4 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 2731 sq ft    Discover Your Dream Home: 2009 Porch Swing Ave, Perris, CA Nestled in the heart of Perris, CA, in the idyllic Villages of Avalon, sits a remarkable gem waiting to be discovered: 2009 Porch Swing... [read more]

Don’t buy into the myth … that no business happens during the holidays. The holidays are a time of clear separation…separation between the serious buyers, and those who feel they have the time to wait. Many sellers believe that spring is the best time to place their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year, but what they don’t realize is that if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that is when they will have the... [read more]

The internet has drastically changed many industries and the real estate industry is no different. Home buyer’s and seller’s are able to get information in the comfort of their homes, however, much of it is inaccurate. Anyone who has bought a home, sold a home, or just looked at homes, has heard of third party websites such as Zillow and Trulia. Third party real estate websites are not local to every real estate market. These third party real estate websites provide estimates... [read more]

Here's The Problem: First Time home buyers constantly question why their mortgage payment is different from their friend or family members. Here’s The Answer Mortgage payments are determined by a number of factors the most significant being the interest rate. As a mortgage broker I know how your interest rate gets determined, and I think you should, too. Keep reading to learn the 7 most common factors that affect your interest rate. Credit scores Your credit score is... [read more]

Whether you are a first time or move up buyer, waiting until next year to buy your home will cost you.   The “Cost of Waiting to Buy” is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices and interest rates were to increase over a period of time.   National home prices have increased by 6.7% year over year. Accordingly CoreLogic’s most recent Home Price Index Report, home prices will appreciate by 5.2% over the next 12 months.... [read more]

You’ve found a house you love, and mortgage rates are still fairly low. But where do you find a huge wad of cash for the down payment?     It could take a while to save up 20 percent for a down payment , but of course, you can buy a home with less than 20 percent down. The Federal Housing Administration has lowered down-payment requirements for mortgages it insures to as low as 3.5 percent to make it easier for buyers to get into the market. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac... [read more]

People get hung up on all kinds of things during a real estate transaction. Preconceived notions of good and bad often blind people from the bigger picture, and emotion almost always runs amok. One of the things people get hung up on are seller paid closing cost.  Many buyers mistakenly think the seller must pay their closing cost. This is simply not true. Paying the buyer’s closing cost is the buyer's responsibility. However, your real estate agent may be able to negotiate... [read more]

According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, one of the top limiting factors preventing buyers from closing on a home is difficulty in obtaining mortgage financing.   Whether you plan to buy a house in the next few months or years, it’s never too early to start preparing financially for your next home purchase.   Even if you have no plans to move, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. You never know what surprises life has in... [read more]

Most real estate experts would agree the first thing you should do when thinking of purchasing a home is to get pre-approved. Getting pre-approved and/or shopping for a home loan means getting your credit pulled. There’s no way around it. Your credit is pulled when you submit a rental application, buy a car, get a cell phone, or open a bank account. But I’m amazed by the number of people who don’t want their credit pulled when thinking of buying a home. Are you kidding... [read more]

Tis the season of giving, which often means it is also the season of spending.   The season of spending where retail companies win and personal bank accounts lose. The holidays are fueled with emotions, and when high emotions and money meet, people tend to overspend without having a real plan in place.   Since we’re  just a few short weeks from the Christmas holiday. It’s a little late for this advice, but not too late to implement it for next... [read more]

With the holidays quickly approaching this is a good time to take stock of your worth. There are a lot of women who believe they are successful because they have a lot of income, but are in essence wearing all their hard earned money on their back, and feet. However,  your net worth is more of an indicator of wealth than an income, because it shows you how much you have amassed in capital, liquid assets, and other forms of investments other than cash. Another way to look at it is... [read more]

Don’t buy into the myth … that no real estate sales happen during the holidays. The holidays are a time of clear separation…separation between the buyers who serious, and the tire kickers.   OK, we know you're busy enough buying gifts and planning family feasts, but hear us out. While everyone else hit the mall to buy half-off sweaters - you make the purchase of a lifetime: a new house to ring in the New Year. Check out these surprisingly smart reasons to... [read more]

The mortgage lender will give you a mortgage, but a down payment will be required. Some of the most popular questions is how much money do I need down? How much money do I need to close?   We always talk about down payment, but the reality is you will need both down payment and closing cost to purchase your home.   There is a wide variety of loan programs with minimum down payment requirements ranging from 0% to 20%, and closing cost can run an average of another 3% to... [read more]

We are who we think we are. You demonstrate a poverty mindset when you view the world through the lens of someone in poverty instead of the wealthy woman you really are. Those who SEE themselves as wealthy and prosperous without a shadow of a doubt BEFORE it happens, are almost guaranteed to experience it in reality.   Symptoms of a poverty mindset   Spend a vast majority of your time focusing on entertainment and entertainers lives. Spend an excessive... [read more]

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time spent with family and friends. Using the natural bounty available at this time of year is a great, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly option for decorating for the holidays. Here are a few creative ideas for your Thanksgiving decorating!   Harvest Vegetables   The vegetables that are available during the harvest season are not only great to eat, but are also a beautiful and inexpensive way to decorate... [read more]

The current narrative is that home prices have risen so much so that it is no longer a smart idea to purchase a home. Your family and friends might suggest that buying a home right now (whether a first-time home or a move-up home) makes absolutely no sense from an affordability standpoint. They are wrong! Homes are more affordable right now than at almost any time in our country’s history except for the foreclosure years (2009-2015) when homes sold at major discounts. As an example,... [read more]

Knowing the honest truth prior to buying a home will ensure that your home buying experience will be a joyful one, while keeping stress to a minimum.   1. You MUST be Pre Approved – A critical first step. As a Buyer, you need to know your home buying power (how much home you can afford). The only way to do this is to get pre-approved  Pre-approval requires a mortgage lender to review your credit,  income, and assets. This is not a casual conversation with a lender... [read more]

Having been a single parent, I truly understand the cost of raising kids as well as the need to properly plan. I’ve done somethings right and some wrong. But I share this information with you to help you avoid some pitfalls, and to share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years.   Raising kids isn’t cheap. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost (in today’s dollars) of raising  for a baby born in 2015 through age 17 for... [read more]

Recently, I’ve been surprised at the number of buyers who do not seem to understand that a real estate contract is a legal and binding contract the same as any other contract. Some buyers seem to think that it’s like shopping for a pair of shoes they see some other shoes they want so they just return the pair they previously purchased and obtain a refund. Still, other buyers think it’s okay to go under contract and cancel during the inspection period because they see another... [read more]

It's natural to wonder whether you'll be able to buy a home after you’ve filed bankruptcy. After all, everyone has to live somewhere—even those who have turned to the court system for help with handling their debts. Applying for bankruptcy will affect your credit history for years to come and can make getting approved for housing a challenge. But will a bankruptcy quash your chances of ever owning a home? The answer to that question is unequivocally - NO.   Many... [read more]

I spoke with 2 clients this week and another 2 or so in the week past. They all had the desire to purchase  homes in the immediate future. All were otherwise qualified, but lacked the funds for a down payment. They did not meet the criteria to obtain down payment assistance. Obtaining the funds from their 401K, borrowing against the cash value on an insurance policy, or obtaining a gift from a family member were also not options. During these conversations the potential buyers became... [read more]

  Welcome to Mortgage Mondays.   A couple of weeks ago I posted that you could ask me me mortgage questions and I would write a post to answer your question. Although I know there has to be many people out there with questions only one person responded to the post with a question. Here’s what she asked as well as my answer and a ton of information on the topic. The Question I have found a house, but it needs some repairs and the seller won’t be doing any... [read more]

Over the years I have had several conversations with friends and family members whom thought they would be secure in retirement because they have their 401(k). However, by way of my profession I was able to determine that for most women their 401(K) would not be nearly enough during retirement. As my peers and I have aged I see many of them are starting to di scover what I’ve known for quite some time - their 401K will not be enough.   Your 401(k) is a great way to start... [read more]

That new car or almost new car smell is intoxicating. So intoxicating that you may forget to smell the roses.   While a car salesman may tell you they can get you approved for that new or slightly new luxury car. At no time will you see a disclosure or receive a word of caution that financing that car could hurt your future chances for buying a home. At no time will anyone tell you that it's possible you could be stuck for  for the several years building wealth for your... [read more]

Happy Mortgage Monday.   If you're tired of renting and would like to buy a home to start building wealth for you and your family. But you’ve found saving for a down payment to be an obstacle. Keep reading this article is for you.   YOU DO NOT NEED A 20% DOWN PAYMENT   You don’t need a huge down payment to get a mortgage. Nor do you need a very high income or credit score. There are many low down payment home loan programs out there that make... [read more]

While it is commonplace for consumers to think you can’t buy a home with bad credit. That is not an altogether true statement.   You may need to provide a written explanation in regards to your credit issues, have a higher down payment requirement, a slightly higher interest rate, or jump through a few more hoops in general,  but you CAN buy a home.   If you are willing to do the work you can  realize your dream of homeownership and start building wealth... [read more]

Although the idea of buying your first home is exciting, the reality can be another thing altogether. Whatever age you are as a first home buyer, the struggle is real. When it comes to saving for a down payment and closing cost, finding the property you want within your budget and being able to pay the mortgage, our brains go into struggle mode. Don’t give up just because it seems hard. It is possible and if you follow these tips and stay committed to your goals, you too can become a... [read more]

Welcome to Mortgage Mondays!   We will share up to date mortgage market information and news every Monday.   You need a mortgage loan and in your search you’ve encountered mortgage lenders, banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers.   Is there a difference? You’re not really sure.   Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. I of course would be partial to mortgage brokers because I am one. However, setting aside the... [read more]

  "I Want To Own A Home In Atlanta, But Is Renting Less Expensive?" This was a question posed by one potential home buyer at a recent home buyer workshop.   People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks when is a good time to rent. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. Rents Are On The Rise The Census Bureau recently released their 2017 first quarter median rent... [read more]

In the unfortunate circumstance that a homeowner is past-due on their monthly mortgage payments, they pave the way for a “foreclosure” on their property. In today’s market, banks and other lenders do not turn to foreclosure to take away the homes of homeowners who are in arrears. Instead, they perform a "Power of Sale" which is wholly different from a Foreclosure. What is a Foreclosure? Foreclosures are laborious, grueling, and costly to both the... [read more]