DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE OPTIONS – Today’s Highlight: California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)

by Irene Moustakas | Feb 7, 2024 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Loan Programs and Products

Did you know that there are some lenders and organizations that offer down payment assistance (DPA) programs? Most require you to be a first time homebuyer and they stipulate maximum income limitations per county and/or household size. But there can be some great...

Back to Basics: The Loan Process

by Irene Moustakas | Oct 17, 2023 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Tips

We’re going back to basics! I have just added this flyer to my “Resources” page and want to highlight it here as well. Let me know if you have any questions. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new...

ANNOUNCEMENT: “Financing Your First Home” e-book is now published!

by Irene Moustakas | Apr 30, 2014 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Business Promotion, Featured

I am so happy to announce that I have published and posted my e-book on FINANCING YOUR FIRST HOME It is geared towards individuals and families seeking to buy their first primary residence in California, but it can also be used as a refresher for people refinancing or...

Be Competitive in Your Offer to Purchase a Home

by Irene Moustakas | Sep 26, 2013 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Featured, Tips

Even though housing supply and demand has leveled off compared to the earlier part of this year, demand does still outweigh supply (the inventory of homes on the market).  So it is critical to be as competitive as possible when you are up against other buyers putting...

FHA Mortgage Insurance Increasing on April 9, 2012

by Irene Moustakas | Feb 29, 2012 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Industry News

(Blog post has been updated to reflect the new change date of 4/9/12, per FHA Mortgage Letter 12-4) It’s happening again… FHA Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premiums, as well as the monthly Mortgage Insurance charges, are set to increase on April 9, 2012.  If you need an...

Choices: When the Appraised Value Comes in Lower than Your Purchase Price

by Irene Moustakas | Feb 22, 2012 | 1st Time Homebuyers, Featured, Tips

If you are purchasing a home and the appraised value comes in lower than the sales price, this can be a deal-killer for many buyers.  Lenders calculate the loan amount based on the lesser of the purchase price or the appraised value.  If you’re at the Loan-to-Value...