When Buying a Home in Los Angeles Hold Off on Your Spending
May 16, 2010 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
If you are buying a home in Los Angeles and you have been approved for a mortgage based on your credit, be aware that, effective June 1, 2010, your lender may order another full credit screening. This is to ensure that you have not taken out, or even shopped for additional loans – a new [...]
Buying a Home in Los Angeles – What Comes With It?
May 14, 2010 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
Buying a home in Los Angeles can be a daunting experience, but with the help of your real estate agent, the process can be made easier. Do you know what comes with the home by default? Did you know that you can ask for anything in your purchase offer? You should certainly not be afraid [...]
Buying a Foreclosure in Los Angeles
May 6, 2010 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
Buying a Foreclosure in Los Angeles is not an easy process and not for the faint of heart. There are three stages of buying: Pre-foreclosure: This is when the home is in the process of being foreclosed on but has not been sent to the auctioneer’s table. This kind of sale is a short sale [...]
Los Angeles First-Time Homebuyers Beware of Hidden Costs
May 2, 2010 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
There was an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times today which spurred me to write about the hidden costs of homeownership. Los Angeles first-time home buyers may not be aware of what is involved over and above the amount they have in mind after their lender presents them with based on the PITI, principal, [...]
Buying a Home in Los Angeles
January 9, 2010 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
You have decided you are ready to buy a home in Los Angeles but you are waiting for: The bottom of the market. Interest rates to go even lower. A great deal on a foreclosure…… There are many reasons to avoid actually jumping in an making the purchase. But: You will never know where the [...]
CalSTRS and CalPERS Loans Available for Public Employees and Employees of the California School System
November 14, 2009 by Jane Peters · 1 Comment
If you are a a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System, Legislators Retirement System, Judges Retirement System, or employee of a California school district, school or community College or a public employee the CalPERS and CalSTRS loans allow you to purchase a home with little money down and affordable rates and fees. CalPERS [...]
Congress Approves the Expansion of the Home Buyers Tax Credit
November 5, 2009 by Jane Peters · 2 Comments
The House of Representatives voted today to extend the home buyers tax credit, expanding it to include existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five a minimum of five years. The tax credit is extended until April 30, 2010 with an extension of 60 days if a binding contract is in place [...]
Now is a Good Time to Buy – How is Your Credit Score?
October 22, 2009 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
How is your Credit? Tougher lending laws are now are now leading Fannie Mae to require a minimum of 620 credit score as a qualification for some loans. This includes FHA and VA loans. However, in order to get the best rate, a credit score of 720 is required and verifiable income. In the past [...]
Buying a Home in Los Angeles – The Most Important First Step
October 19, 2009 by Jane Peters · Leave a Comment
Buying a home in Los Angeles can be a daunting prospect. You start to look on line at areas you would like to live and estimate the amount of home you can afford. Well, this is not the way to start looking for a home. You must get pre-approved by a lender! No ifs ands [...]
