by Irene Moustakas | Sep 11, 2024 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Business Promotion
I first published this e-book in 2014 and have now updated it with new and current information. It reviews the basics of homebuying, what lenders look for, and provides an overview of loan products and programs. Check it out here and let me know how I can help! Share...
by Irene Moustakas | Sep 4, 2024 | 1st Time Homebuyers, FHA, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
The National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) serves to provide down payment assistance to both returning and first time homebuyers. It’s one of the few down payment assistance programs available that does not have a first time homebuyer or income limitation stipulation! I...
by Irene Moustakas | Aug 20, 2024 | Uncategorized
A co-borrower is a person you are buying a home with, and you will live in that home together; you are also both equally obligated on the mortgage. A non-occupant co-borrower is someone that is helping you qualify for a loan, but they will not be living in the...
by Irene Moustakas | Aug 14, 2024 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Rates
If you are a first time homebuyer and your gross income is below your specific county’s Area Median Income (AMI) limit, did you know that you qualify for some pretty attractive interest rate incentives? It can usually result in savings of approximately .5% to .875%,...
by Irene Moustakas | Jun 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
Did you know that Americans owe an astounding $1.13 trillion in credit card debt? That’s a number that’s hard to picture, isn’t it? Inflation and increased interest rates have contributed to this growing number, and it certainly shows us that many American households...
by Irene Moustakas | May 23, 2024 | Uncategorized
If you are looking to purchase a home or refinance your existing mortgage, you may want to look beyond simply walking into your bank. Many people secure a real estate loan through their bank because they don’t always realize that other options may exist. I started out...
by Irene Moustakas | May 1, 2024 | FHA, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
An FHA loan is a government-insured loan that allows as little as 3.5% down payment. Besides allowing little money down, its other advantages when compared to a Conventional loan is that it typically carries lower interest rates, it is more forgiving with lower credit...
by Irene Moustakas | Apr 15, 2024 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News, Loan Programs and Products
Registrations for the Dream for All program opened up on April 3rd, and there are now 2 weeks left to register for a voucher. Vouchers are limited and determined by lottery. The Dream for All program serves to help first time and first generation homebuyers get their...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 29, 2024 | Uncategorized
The most likely reasons for needing (or wanting) to buy out a partner or co-owner of a home are due to divorce or inherited property, but of course, other situations can arise. Most people do not have the cash on hand to simply buy the other out; or even if they do...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Phase 1 of CalHFA’s Dream for All program, which launched in March 2023, was in such high demand that the allocated funds of $300MM were all accounted for within 11 days, per KQED. The program helped 2,182 new homeowners purchase a home, with 55%...