

Mortgage before Marriage?
I have had quite a few clients ask me how getting married would affect their ability to purchase a home. The state of California is a community property state. What does that mean? Once you are married, in the state of California, you and your spouse essentially share assets . . . and debt. Government loans will look at spouses debt in qualifying for the loan, even if the spouse is not going on the loan or on title! Government loans including, but not limited to FHA,VA and US


Do Tax Write-Offs Hurt Me?
A CPA may encourage you to write off business expenses to get you a larger refund, but it could cost you your future dream home! Standard Deduction: If you take the standard deduction on your tax return, you will not be affected when trying to purchase a home, simple as that. Itemized Deduction: When you write off business miles for your commute to work, charity gifts, and mortgage interest, you are writing off taxes using an itemized deduction. It is important to know which


Know your Mortgage insurance options
If you are putting down less than 20%, you will have to pay some form of mortgage insurance, but you should know your options! FHA mortgage insurance- FHA loans all require mortgage insurance, both monthly, and a one time lump some added on the top of the loan. The annual mortgage insurance for FHA is .85% of the base loan amount. Ex. Joe's buying a home for $250,000. He is putting down 3.5%. His base mortgage (FHA will put an additional 1.75% on top of the base loan) is $24


Mortgage Basics 1: Down Payment
I get asked all the time, "What is the minimum down payment?" Well folks, here you go! FHA: Minimum down payment is 3.5% of the purchase price. Conventional: If a first time buyer (have not been on title on a house in the past 3 years) then 3% down. Otherwise it is 5% down minimum. VA: Loans for current or past military personal require 0% down. USDA: Certain rural areas (hard to find in the inland empire) require 0% down. Manufactured: 3.5% down payment required if FHA other