California homeowners who are thinking about refinancing their mortgage loans in 2020 have a new incentive for doing it sooner rather than later. A new government-imposed refinancing fee will take effect on December 1 of this year. This fee could…
Summary: This article explains the pros and cons of using a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage when buying a home in California. In short, you'll have a larger monthly payment but pay a lot less interest over time, compared to a 30-year…
Highlights from this mortgage industry update: Most first-time buyers in California opt for a low down payment.That's based on a recent report from an industry group.In this context, "low" means putting less than 20% down on a home purchase.Private mortgage…
This article provides an overview of the minimum down-payment requirements for conventional loans in California. We've covered this subject in the past. But mortgage trends and requirements can change over time. So we thought it was time to revisit the…
Is the spring home-buying "season" finally ramping up in California? Sort of. While real estate activity is down overall, a new report showed a significant week-to-week increase in California home loan applications. This could be a sign that the real…
Is now a good time to refinance a home in California? For many homeowners across the Golden State, the answer is yes! Mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows, and home prices have risen over the past year. So 2020…
We all understand that homeownership means that we own our home in partnership with the mortgage lender. Until the mortgage is paid off, the part that you truly own or can lay claim to is the equity that you…
One of the requirements for obtaining a mortgage is to prove that you are employed (or self-employed), and moreover, that you have been the past two years at a minimum. You do not need to be in one job that…
At some point in your home ownership, you may be tempted to refinance your mortgage, especially if interest rates are lower than they were when you originally took your mortgage or if you think your home has gained equity. Refinancing…
With the popularity of HGTV and all those fixer-upper shows, it can be tempting to embark on buying one for yourself or doing a renovation to your own home. But the reality is, for buying a fixer-upper, you may…
