Buying A Home

Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you’re not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don’t have all the best information and resources at hand. One of our specialties is representing the best interests of Orange County area buyers throughout the home buying process. Our comprehensive, high-quality services can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

If you’re like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you’re buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of my experience as a local market expert for Orange County to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way!

See below to learn more about buying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING

10 Tips for Moving With Pets

Jul 29, 2014

Pets are a part of the family and so it’s important to take our furry friends into consideration when it’s time to move. Here is a list of the top 10 tips for moving with pets to help keep you organized and make sure nothing is forgotten in the process. Follow along for a seamless home transition for you AND your pet. 1. Prepare your pet for the big move. Your pet is going to be overwhelmed by moving – leaving behind their territory for a place that new and unfamiliar. Not to mention their surroundings are going to be in flux and changing as you start packing up and boxing all of your belongings. Take it slow and introduce the change slowly to your pets by doing your packing in increments. Also, keep your pets in the room you plan to pack last. That way they feel safe and aren’t in your way while you’re running busy getting everything together and moved out. 2. Take a visit to the vet.  There are a lot of logistical things to get in order when it comes to moving your pet and you’ve got to make a trip to the vet to get a lot of it done. Because you’re moving, you’ll need to find a new vet and the best way to find one is to ask your current doctor for a referral. For the office change you will  need to get a copy of your pet’s vaccination records and more. You’ll also want to stock up on all prescriptions so you’re set for the move. It might be a while until... read more

Anatomy of a Mortgage Loan

Jul 15, 2014

Before you get a mortgage loan you need to know the basics of what it actually is, that’s why we put together this crash course in the anatomy of a mortgage loan. We’re going to cover the basic definitions of some common terms you’ll run into, the actual break down of what you pay each month for your mortgage and then go into some of the most popular types of mortgages for homebuyers. Terms and Definitions When you are trying to secure a mortgage loan from a lender these are the mortgage components you’ll need to know about: Interest rates – An interest rate is the percentage of your loan amount the lender charges you to borrow the money to buy your house. Interest rates are based on: market conditions, your credit score, the size of your down payment and the type of mortgage you get. Appraisal – This is a written report by an expert that pin points a value for your property based on comparable homes in the area, and it’s characteristics. You will need to get an appraisal on your new home that will determine whether or not your property is worth the amount of the loan you’re trying to get from the bank. Discount points –One point equals 1% of your mortgage amount. If you qualify then you have the option to pay one or more points in order to lower your interest rate. These points are commonly tax deductable. Debt–to-income ratio – A formula lenders use to determine the loan amount you qualify for. How much income you have vs. how much you’re already paying in current debts... read more

Which Is Better For First-Time Home Buyers: FHA Or Conventional Loan?

Jul 7, 2014

If you’re a first-time home buyer then one of big decisions (and the first) you will need to make is what kind of mortgage you want. Before choosing things like fixed-rates or ARMs, you need to decide if you will get a conventional or FHA loan. What’s the difference? Well let’s break it down for you. What is an FHA Loan? An FHA loan is a mortgage loan that is backed or insured by the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) which is a government agency. The way it works is the federal government insures loans for approved lenders to reduce the risk of loss if a homeowner/ borrower defaults on their mortgage. FHA loans are easier to get than other loans because they are available for buyers with less than perfect credit and there are low down payment options. What is a Conventional Loan? A conventional loan is everything else. A conventional loan is not insured by the federal government and also known as a conforming mortgage. These mortgages adhere to the guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and can have either a fixed or adjustable rate. Conventional home loans typically require a larger down payment however they differ from lender to lender. Recently there have been regulation changes geared at helping first-time buyers more easily obtain mortgages as well which is good news for buyers interested in conventional loans. Renee Wiginton, experienced financial advisor with First Team, helped put together this helpful chart for home buyers and their agents to better understand the differences in price between FHA and conventional loans. Renee works with real estate agents and their buyers... read more