by Irene Moustakas | May 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the government has stipulated two important allowances in regards to your mortgage. Firstly, there is a moratorium on foreclosure proceedings, and secondly, you have the right to a forbearance...
by Irene Moustakas | Jan 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Yes, you can, and yes, it can be! Under this Fannie Mae program that I am highlighting, the home is treated as an owner-occupied loan, even though your parents will be the ones living there, not you. This means you get a better interest rate and qualify for lower down...
by Irene Moustakas | Jan 16, 2020 | Rates, Tips
Interest rates are expected to remain low in 2020, so opportunities to refinance at a lower interest rate at little to no cost are readily available, especially if you purchased your home in 2017 or 2018. Many of the clients I refinanced in 2019 went from one 30 Year...
by Irene Moustakas | Jul 23, 2019 | Tips
If you can, yes! You’ll end up shaving about 5 years off your loan by doing so (the number of years will vary depending on loan amount and interest rate). Many servicers allow this option once you set up your payments online. If a third party company offers to manage...
by Irene Moustakas | Jul 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s very important to assess the cost of buying and refinancing. Fees depend on the purchase price and on the loan amount. Since total cost on a purchase depends on the city and county you are buying in, as well as what is negotiated with the seller, I will do a...
by Irene Moustakas | Jul 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
From a loan-perspective, here are some lender rules and qualifications to consider when you’re buying a rental property. Taxes and write-offs are a completely different aspect you need to consider as well, but speak to your tax advisor about this in order to make the...
by Irene Moustakas | Dec 17, 2018 | Industry News, Uncategorized
Minimum down payment requirements on loans may have changed a little since my last update, so I wanted to review again. The interest rate you qualify for can be quite sensitive to the amount you have down (as well as credit score plus some other factors), but to...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 28, 2018 | Industry News
I am so excited that loan limits will be increasing in 2019! The conforming loan limit will be $484,350 and high balance loan limit for the highest-cost areas will be $726,525. Anything greater than this amount is considered Jumbo. This is extremely helpful because...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 26, 2018 | Loan Programs and Products
When you hear that Interest-Only loans may be making a little bit of a comeback, what is your initial reaction? Is it concern about the housing bubble bursting? Consumers making extremely misinformed decisions? If that is the case, I am sure your opinion is based on...
by Irene Moustakas | Sep 26, 2018 | Loan Programs and Products
Many homeowners have reached out to me the past few months asking how best to to tap into their home’s equity and get a cash out loan. The reasons are multiple, but they are usually for one of the following reasons: home improvement projects pay off debt to use the...