Home Improvement and Construction Loans

There are many options available for financing home improvements not to mention using cash or available funds.

What type of program is used may depend on the scope and amount of funds needed for the project. We can help you with everything from a home equity line of credit where you can do the work yourself or a full construction loan if you’re working with a vacant lot or a complete tear-down property. Larger projects may require a general contractor and/or to have the contractor approved by the lender.

Loans that do not require a general contractor are our home equity line of credit, stand-alone second mortgage or a cash-out refi. With the home equity loan of credit or second mortgage, you could keep your existing first mortgage (if there is one).

Here are some possible programs to consider: [Read more…]

Mortgage Market Update for the Week of February 26, 2024

Curious about what may impact mortgage rates this week? Check out my latest video!

How to Shop Mortgage Lenders


Here are some questions you should ask lenders before deciding who you are going to work with on your mortgage. The largest financial transaction of your life is far to important to place in the hands of someone who is not capable of advising you properly and troubleshooting issues that may arise along the way. [Read more…]

Mortgage Market Update for the Week of February 19, 2024

Mortgage Market Update for February 12, 2024


Check out my latest video to see what may impact the direction of mortgage interest rates this week.

If you’re considering buying a home, remodeling or refinancing, please contact me!

What’s the Difference Between being Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?

Do you know the difference between being prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage? This short video reviews the importance of being preapproved.

If you are currently preapproved with a lender, I recommend making sure that your preapproval has been underwritten by a “human underwriter” and not just “AUS” (automatic underwriting i.e. a computer).  One way to make sure you have been fully underwritten is to ask your mortgage professional for the underwriter’s name…if they say “Fannie Mae” or “Freddie Mac” – that’s actually the automated underwriting system that lenders use. 😉

Being fully pre-underwritten not only helps to provide you with peace of mind with your loan approval, it also helps to expedite your closing AND may also help your offer be accepted over other offers with a weaker approval status.

If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please reach out to me!

Mortgage Market Update for the week of February 5, 2024

Mortgage rates have been “bouncing” around a bit. Check out more on my quick video below.

If you’re considering a mortgage, please reach out to me – I’m happy to help you!

It’s FED Day! [Live post] Fed Funds Rate is UNCHANGED

At 11:00 am PST today, the FOMC will wrap up their two-day meeting and we will learn if they have decided to make any adjustments to the Fed Funds rates. It is not anticipated that they will make any changes at this meeting. As I write this (7:35 am), mortgage backed securities are up about 22 basis point, which is following a weaker than expected ADP Employment Report. The DOW is at 38,493. [Read more…]