San Francisco / Bay Area Mortgage Blog

Tis the Season to Stay Safe!

Whether you’re traveling or looking forward to a nice quiet holiday at home, follow these tips to keep your home safe and secure.

To fix it or to adjust it?

Fixed rate mortgages hold steady while adjustable rate mortgages are variable. Find out what loan category is best for you and your home loan needs.

Buy Smart: What to Look for in an Investment Property

Real estate is a great way to invest your money, but knowing just where and what kind of property to buy can be tricky.

Sell in the Winter

Though the market slows the winter, that doesn’t mean that you can’t or won’t sell your home. There actually may be some advantages to home selling in the chilly fall and winter months.

How Conventional Are You? Government vs. Conventional Loans

There are significant differences between government-backed loans and conventional. Understanding these differences will help you decide which category of loan is right for you.

The Diverse World of Countertops

Whether it’s a high end chic, quaint cottage, or vintage retro a well-designed counter can add that special something to your kitchen or bathroom.

Don’t Get Duped: Tips to Avoid Loan Modification Scams

Although there are many ways to legitimately modify a loan, if it sounds too good to be true, it just might be. Avoid these common loan scam tricks to keep your money and your investments safe.

Are You Covered?

What is covered in your homeowner’s insurance? Check out your policy to see how much coverage you really have and what exclusions may apply.

Bringing in the Bucks: How to Increase your Home Appraisal

Looking to increase the value of your home? Find out what is really considered when appraising a home to decide what your next home improvement project will be.

Clean Out Those Gutters!

Gutter cleaning is essential for water flow and roof integrity. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone to clean, fall is the perfect time of year to get rid of that debris.

Home Loans Available by Credit Score

Find out which home loans may be available to you based on your credit scores, as well as the minimum credit score required to qualify for any home loan.

To HOA or not to HOA

What is an HOA and what are the benefits and drawbacks of being a part of one? What should you consider when buying a home with an HOA fee?

Don’t be Schooled: How Home Prices are Affected by Public School Districts

Ever wonder how local schools affects home prices? Even if you don’t have kids, knowing how and why school quality and home value intersects is important for your investment consideration.

Myths about Homeownership Keeping You from Buying?

Recent studies show that although most potential homebuyers think they’re well informed about the ins and outs of home buying, in reality, their knowledge is seriously lacking.

What is a USDA Rural Housing Loan?

With fairly loose guidelines about what exactly “rural” means, the USDA Rural Housing Loan could be a great loan for you.

Housing Stats for the Nerds

The spring quarter of 2014 was actually pretty great, so we figured it was time to give out a healthy dose of stats for you nerds.

I Keep Hearing “This Loan Insured By,” What Does It Mean?

Without the invention of mortgage insurance, people with less than 20 percent down probably wouldn’t be able to purchase a home, period. Find out what it is and why it’s needed.

Mortgage 101: Understanding Your Debt-To-Income (DTI) Ratio

One of the most important acronyms in the mortgage and real estate industry is DTI (Debt-To-Income). Learn what DTI is, and why it’s important in determining how much mortgage financing you might receive.

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