News & Article

How To Apply For A Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

When you’re applying for a mortgage, you need to provide your income information – including W-2s and paystubs. But what if you’re self-employed? Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed is entirely possible, although you may be on the hook for more paperwork to prove your income. However, there are also factors in self-employment that may work against you, so it’s crucial that you are prepared to present yourself to lenders in the best light. These

5 Quick Renovations That Will Improve Your Home’s Value

Everyone has something they wish they could have as part of their home. An indoor pool? Yes, please. A bat cave? Well – maybe. For most people, renovating a property will come down to need. When something doesn’t work anymore or is too outdated, it’s time to spruce it up. In these cases, renovations are adding value to your property because anyone else who lived there would need the same work. However, when you start

How To Save Money For A Down Payment

If you’re shopping for a home, then you know just how big of an obstacle the down payment can be. With conventional loans requiring down payments typically in the 10-20% range, in a high-priced market like Southern California, just securing enough money to guarantee funding can seem insurmountable. That’s why it’s crucial that you start saving for a down payment well in advance of your home search. Whether you’re starting to shop right now or

Preparing For A Mortgage Loan Application: What You Need To Know

One of the most critical steps in the home buying process is securing financing. Rare are those who can pay in cash for real estate in Orange County, so for most people, this early step is finding a mortgage. You’ll need to submit an application to a lender, so you know what amount, rates, and terms you qualify for. If you’ve never filled out a mortgage application before, these are some ways to prepare. The

What Buyers Need To Know About A Title Search

Part of due diligence when buying a home is verifying a clear title. When there are issues with a property’s title, buyers can run into trouble down the road because of other claims to ownership, money owed, and even minor lot line issues. While you will likely purchase title insurance when buying a home, it’s still important to know about title searches so that you understand the process. Getting any issues resolved quickly will help

Common Home Buying Mistakes You Want To Avoid

Buying a home, whether your first or your fifth, is always an exciting process. There are new areas to be explored, new chances to design spaces the way you want them, and of course, the comfort that comes with knowing you are in your home. Unfortunately, this excitement can often lead to errors in judgment or oversights that aren’t in your favor. These pitfalls are common to the home buying process and can end up

6 Tips For Staging A Home For Buyers  

When you’re selling your home, it’s crucial to make it as presentable to buyers as possible. Your goal is to allow buyers to see themselves in your home, so you don’t want to overdo your staging, and instead, keep it minimal and neutral. If you hope to sell your home faster and at your asking price, try these six tips when staging your home for buyers. Clean Everything If you don’t or can’t spend too

The Importance Of A Home Inspection

  With all of the moving parts involved in a real estate transaction – and their related costs – home buyers are sometimes tempted to forego their right to certain steps meant to protect them. Unfortunately, because a home inspection adds additional cost and a longer wait, buyers sometimes think that the inspection can be skipped – after all, the seller told you everything was in order, right? Skipping the home inspection can be one

Should You Make An Offer Above Asking Price?

It’s no secret that the Southern California real estate remains hot. The median sales price in Orange County in October 2017 was $786,000 – so why would anyone ever offer more than an already high price? Particularly in active markets, bidding wars can get heated, and in order to win without compromising contingencies or other protections, buyers often make offers above ask. But it’s important to tread carefully when considering how much you should offer

4 Tips To Keep Your Home Search Organized

When you’re searching for a home, you have a lot of information to keep track of. You’ll need documentation for your mortgage, information about each house you are considering, and the accumulated paperwork that you’ll eventually need for closing. Losing track of just one necessary item can delay any progress you’ve made towards taking possession of your new home. Luckily, some easy organization techniques can help you keep your relevant information together and will make