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...
by Irene Moustakas | May 9, 2016 | Featured, Tips
When people ask me what I do and learn that I am a mortgage broker, the usual first and natural question is, “What are interest rates right now?” The answer is always, “It depends.” There are many factors that go into an interest rate, so that’s why it’s important to...
by Irene Moustakas | Apr 20, 2016 | Featured, Tips
It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to get the lowest available interest rate out there, but you must always ask, “At what cost”? Each day, you have multiple interest rate options, and each interest rate comes either at a cost or a credit. The lower the rate, the...
by Irene Moustakas | Nov 19, 2015 | Featured, Tips
To follow is a general expectation for the loan process, from the time of requesting the loan (or locking in on a rate) through closing. When you first start out, it can seem like a daunting experience as you gather all the documentation and paperwork, but if your...