Pre-qualifying for a home loan is always a smart thing to do, but today’s real estate market makes it even more important. Pre-qualifying for a real estate loan in a buyer’s market is wise, but not as necessary, because you are likely to be the only person making an offer on the home. But today,…

Make sure you put out your flag for Veterans Day today!  As the old saying goes, “If you love freedom, thank a veteran!”.  Veterans Day is the perfect time to bring out Charles M. Province’s poem, “It is the Soldier,”:  It is the Soldier, not the minister, Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier,…

Spent the day yesterday with a Napa realtor.  He told a story of a couple he represented that wanted to buy a home in Napa during the recent time period where multiple offers were the norm.  In a nutshell, and against his advice, the couple he represented did not give their final and best offer…

Yesterday I told you the Federal Reserve had raised short term interest rates, but long term rates (mostly affected by treasury bonds) had remained little changed.  Well, they caught up today!  In most cases rates went up anywhere from 1/8th to 1/4 of a point.  That still keeps them in the low 6’s, but not…

The Federal Reserve raised short term interest rates again today…another .75% of a point.  Although this usually puts pressure on long term rates (30 year fixed, etc) those rates basically stayed the same today as they change when the 10 yr treasury bond changes.  In a nutshell, if bonds are purchased by big investors, then…

Don’t forget to pre-qualify before you talk to your realtor!  Realtors want to make sure they are working with a buyer in the correct price range.  If you don’t have a pre-qualify letter, they will want you to get one before you shop for new homes.  Call Michael Mitchell today and I will get you…

The Federal Reserve is on a mission to curb inflation.  To do that, they have been raising short term interest rates.  This in turn puts pressure on long term rates to go up…which they have.  So how to combat this in a world where most homeowners have current interest rates in the 4% arena and…

Rates started a little higher today, but if you have 20% down, your conforming 30 year fixed interest rate would be 5.99% at zero points today.  Your APR will be higher depending on your loan amount.  For more scenarios please give Michael Mitchell a call at 530-406-2200, 707-259-1117 or 707-337-5970 cell!

This is great for buyers, their real estate agents and borrowers who are refinancing their home when their loan to value is higher than 80%. You can have a loan to value on a conventional loan and VA up to 95% loan to value and still not be forced to have impounds for taxes and…

It is almost Spring! The blossoms are blossoming, the bees are buzzing, and it is the perfect time to purchase a new home! The Real Estate Professionals I speak with on a daily basis are saying don’t wait to make that offer…be the first one in without competition! If you wait until all the other…