Posts Tagged ‘firsttimehomebuyer’
The 2026 Housing Market Is Waking Up. Are You Ready?
January 20, 2026 Momentum Is Building in the 2026 Housing Market As 2026 gets underway, one thing is already clear: the real estate market is not standing still. In a recent conversation with local realtor partner Jeanine Schulz, we discussed how the market has a certain momentum you can almost feel. When that energy starts…
Read MoreTurn A Fixer Into Your Dream Home With An FHA 203k Loan
September 12, 2025 Love a Home But It Needs Repairs? Ever find a home in your dream neighborhood but see the “needs work” sign and think, “Nope, not for me”? If you’re an FHA buyer, there’s a way to make it happen. Enter the FHA 203k loan, a program designed to help buyers purchase homes…
Read MoreSure, You Can Afford That House…But Should You?
September 8, 2025 How Affordability Shapes Your Home Search Affordability isn’t just about what lenders say you can afford, it’s also about if that mortgage payment fits comfortably in your monthly budget. Your income, current rent, and existing debts all factor into determining a realistic mortgage payment that won’t strain your finances. Understanding Your Comfort…
Read MoreDTI Made Simple: What Debts Do Lenders Really Count?
September 8, 2025 What is a Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)? Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the number lenders use to determine how much house you can afford. It compares your monthly debts to your income and helps lenders evaluate your ability to manage mortgage payments. Every person’s DTI looks different, so it’s important to understand how…
Read MoreShould You Sell Your Car to Buy a House?
September 8, 2025 How Debt Affects Your Home Buying Power Your monthly debts directly impact how much house you can afford. Lenders consider your total debt obligations when determining your loan eligibility. Even small debts, like car payments or credit card balances, can reduce your purchasing power by tens of thousands of dollars. Understanding this…
Read MoreHow (and Why) the Federal Reserve Sets Interest Rates
August 22, 2025 The Fed’s Dual Mandate The Federal Reserve has two main goals they shoot for to keep the U.S. economy humming along: Keep inflation near 2% Maintain maximum employment (as long as it doesn’t push inflation above that 2% target) The federal funds rate is the Fed’s primary tool for managing both of…
Read MoreYou’re In Contract…Now What?
August 9, 2025 You’ve found your dream home, made an offer, and got the offer accepted (Yay!). Now the real work begins. One of THE most important steps is scheduling the right inspections to protect your investment and avoid costly surprises. I recently sat down with local realtor Geanne Pack to talk about the importance…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up on Owning a Home: Some Creative Paths For Today’s Challenging Market
July 22, 2025 With more sellers putting their homes on the market this year we’re seeing more inventory, which is starting to lead to some leveling out in prices in some areas. A good thing. But prices are still high, and with the median sold price of $705,000 in Placer County for June 2025 and…
Read More“One Big Beautiful Bill” Signed Into Law: What It Means for Homebuyers & Investors
July 11, 2025 H.R. 1: New Housing Provisions That Could Impact Your Wallet Last week, President Trump signed H.R. 1, nicknamed the One Big Beautiful Bill, into law—and it includes major housing-related provisions that could benefit both homebuyers and real estate investors. Here’s a breakdown of what’s inside: 1. Mortgage Insurance Premium Deductions Made Permanent…
Read More5 Things Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs to Know Before You Buy
July 7, 2025 You Don’t Need 20% Down Many buyers still believe they need to put down 20%, but that’s simply not true anymore. There are many loan options that allow for much lower down payments, some as low as 3% or even 0% for qualified buyers. Closing Costs Can Be Covered Don’t let closing…
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