by Irene Moustakas | Mar 20, 2023 | Loan Programs and Products, Tips, Uncategorized
Originally published March 20, 2023 – Updated January 2026. Market conditions and lending programs change frequently – this article reflects current strategies. Buying a new home before selling your current one is a very common goal. The primary motivation is...
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 | Dec 13, 2017 | Featured, Tips
The first step you should take if you are considering buying a home is to have a mortgage professional help you determine how much you will qualify for. To follow are the typical steps and explanations that I go through with my clients. I will provide a sample...
by Irene Moustakas | Mar 28, 2017 | Industry News, Tips
If you’re a current homeowner over the age of 55 and looking to buy a new primary home, are you aware of Propositions 60 and 90? In the 1980s, California voters approved both Propositions 60 and 90. Prop 60 allows for homeowners age 55 and older to transfer the...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 28, 2016 | Featured, Tips
If you purchased your home with less than 20% down payment on a Conventional loan, you were required to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI is a cost that protects the lender in case you default on your mortgage (stop making payments). Lenders are required...