75 Apps to Optimize Your Time at Work

Whether you're rushing between showing prospective buyers a home or hurrying out the door to go view comparable sales for your new listing, these applications could be the key ingredient in getting you to your 2016 goals faster. CLICK HERE

Call the Easterbrook Team

For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling

916.850.6050

John Easterbrook & Patty Aguon

Freddie is Friendly

• Some flexibility with cash on hand (the Sealy stash)
• Borrower’s no long need the required 5% of their own funds when they use a co-borrower
• No seasoning on refinance after a cash purchase – refinance immediately after close of escrow (it used to be that the borrower had to “season” the purchase 6 months)

Call the Easterbrook Team

For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling

916.850.6050 EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

Fannie is Your Friend

At the end of 2015, Fannie Mae made some changes to their loan programs that will make it easier to qualify for conventional loans.  These changes include:

• This one is our fav: Up to 95% loan to value on high balance loans ($474,950 in our area – it used to be only 90% on high balance and 95% up to $417K)
• Non occupant co-borrowers (…Mom & Dad) can now blend their income with the primary borrower, allowing the borrower to qualify for more.  In most cases the maximum a borrower can go when co-borrowing will be 95% loan to value ratio.
• Self-employed borrowers will now get the opportunity to submit only one tax return, instead of two (subject to automated approval). 
• HomeReady is Fannie Mae’s new affordable conventional lending product (it used to be My Community) to help low to moderate income borrowers purchase or refinance their first home.
• Here are some highlights:
  • 97% loan to value on purchases
  • Non-occupant coborrower allowed – coborrower income does not count against income limit eligibility
  • Lower mortgage insurance
  • Education is required for this product

Call the Easterbrook Team

For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling

John Easterbrook NMLS#226555 916.224.7653 Patty Aguon NMLS#994635 916.833.5063
EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com 916.850.6050

Best of Both Worlds!

We have a growing economy and rates really should be higher.  Let me repeat that – rates really should be higher, but, due to the Chinese economy and low inflation (mainly due to low gas prices), our rates are smokin’ hot right now – mid 3’s on government and high 3’s / low 4’s on conventional.

We could go on about the economy shifting from equity to earnings and a “stealth bear market”, but that would be boring.  Let’s sell some homes – that’s more fun!

So many buyers (1.7 million nationally in 2015 and 2016) that weren’t able to buy have now exceeded their minimum timeframes for a significant derogatory event (foreclosure, BK, etc.). 

Higher demand usually translates to high rates, but not right now – we have the best of both worlds.  Let US help YOU sell as much real estate before the Fed and Wall Street figure this economy out. 

Call the Easterbrook Team

For Purchase, Refinance, and Pre-Purchase Loan Counseling

916.850.6050 EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

John Easterbrook 916.224.7653

Patty Aguon 916.833.5063

Do you want to live in the #1 city in California to put down family roots?

Three Sacramento Cities Named Best California Cities to Put Down Roots




When it comes to putting down roots, a new study found that three Sacramento cities are among the best in California–and one Sacramento city is not only among the best, but has been named the best.
Folsom made the #1 spot in a study by WalletHub that examined 240 California cities across 22 key metrics that targeted family living, education, health, safety, affordability, and socioeconomic environment. Also impressively making the top ten list is El Dorado Hills (#6) and Roseville (#10).
Other Sacramento communities are not to be left out either as the top 50 included Davis (#18), Rocklin (#27), Elk Grove (#31), and Lincoln (#44).
The factors that the study considered important in determining the places most conducive to family life included the number of attractions, playgrounds, pediatricians, other families, and quality schools per capita. The rates and percentages it looked at included crime rates, unemployment and foreclose rates, high school graduation rates, percentage of two-parent/divorced families, percentage of children lacking health coverage, and percentage of families living below the poverty line. Weather, air quality, and average commute also factored into their results, as did house and living affordability.
Their findings ranked these California cities the best for families:

1. Folsom
2. Eastvale
3. San Ramon
4. Dublin
5. Pleasanton
6. El Dorado Hills
7. Danville
8. Aliso Viejo
9. Palo Alto
10. Roseville

Interestingly, only two Southern California cities (Eastvale and Aliso Viejo) made the top ten list. The rest went to Northern California cities found in Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Alameda/Contra Costa counties.
Folsom earned the top spot due in part to its #1 ranking in California for a low poverty level and high median income (adjusted for cost of living), and #2 ranking for most affordable housing. Roseville was found to have the most playgrounds per capita in California and Sacramento was named the #6 city for the highest number of attractions.
California’s largest cities didn’t get anywhere near the top spots with the highest rating going to San Jose at #78, followed by San Diego at #96 , Sacramento #130, San Francisco #178, Los Angeles #215.
Of the worst cities, all but one (Oakland) are found in Southern California, most of them near LA.
How did other California cities fare? Click on the map below to find out and read the full study at wallethub.com.




http://sacramentopress.com/2015/10/09/three-sacramento-cities-named-best-california-cities-to-put-down-roots/




Call The Easterbrook Team Today For Your Home Loan Needs! 
We work very close with Folsom realtors daily and can refer you right away.

Roof Issues to be Aware of

Maintaining a sound roof is one of the most important tasks a homeowner can perform. Follow these tips to catch roof issues before they lead to bigger problems – and the need for costly repairs.

•	Look for any missing, loose or damaged shingles as well as any cracked or worn roof sealant. Extensive repairs should be handled by a qualified professional roofing contractor.
•	Trim tree branches that hang too closely to or directly above the roof. Leaves and other debris can accumulate, retain moisture, and damage shingles.
•	Since falling bricks can damage a roof, inspect the chimney for missing or cracked bricks or mortar.
•	Clogged gutters can create structural issues. Clean gutters by scooping out debris with a garden trowel and then rinsing toward the downspout with a hose.

Finally, to prevent falls from occurring, perform all maintenance tasks on a day when it's sunny and the roof is dry. Here's hoping you find this information useful.




Contact us today to discuss your home repair needs for a refinance.
The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050
easterbrookteam@spmc.com

Here's a Freebie on Us!

We are currently offering an amazing co-branded (that’s you and us) product that is easy to share and completely free to our Realtor friends and your clients.  You can co-brand with us, easily share the information on social media with one click, or just use it to help your borrowers make informed decisions about the market and when to lock.  Information is always a good thing.  For a preview, CLICK HERE.  Just call us at (916) 850-6050 and we’ll do the rest. 

Facebook Marketing For Realtors

Facebook Marketing        

Here’s a great Facebook Marketing tip that we’ve been using for a couple years.  When you get a new buyer or seller, also friend them on Facebook or have them like your business page.  At closing, take a picture at the title company with your smiling buyers or sellers and you.  Post it on Facebook, then invite them to share it with all of their friends to let them know that they just had a great experience.  All of their friends will be exposed to your services for the first time with the smiling endorsement of your buyer or seller.  As an added bonus, it’s free!   

Contact The Easterbrook Team for your home loan needs.  We are always available for prequalifications for your clients as well.

916.850.6050  easterbrookteam@spm.com

John Easterbrook NMLS#226555 916.224.7653

Patty Aguon NMLS#994635 916.833.5063

#Openhouse

Instagram Can Net You Tons of Buyers

Many real estate agents are turning to one of the hottest FREE marketing tools around – Instagram.  In fact, it has grown 23% in the last 6 months.  Once reserved only for non-adults (but so was Facebook, right?), Instagram allows you to target your audience by strategic tagging.  Instagram is a smart phone or device app that allows you to share on multiple social media platforms at the same time.  With the limitless hashtag capability and fun photo editing, real estate agents are changing the way homes are marketed to potential buyers and reaching the new age Millennials!

Some real estate agents are using Instagram to market their open houses – CLICK HERE.  In another article, the author describes 5 unique ways to increase traffic to you through Instagram – CLICK HERE.  Who knows, you might have some fun doing it too! 

Throw in a #EasterbrookTeam on your listings and we will help market your listing too! 

Call The Easterbrook Team Today For Your Home Loan Needs!

We Make The Loan Process Easy!

916.850.6050 EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

John Easterbrook, Patty Aguon & Lorae Oliver

It's a Bird, It's a Plane... Nope it's just Lowered Rates!

They Said Our Rates Wouldn’t Get Lower...

 

… but Sierra Pacific Mortgage just made a significant price drop on High Balance FHA & VA products.  We’ve always had a reputation for some of the best rates in town.  Now our rates are even better than before.  Who knew?

 

Contact The Easterbrook Team Today at 916.850.6050 to start your prequalification and discuss your options.

John Easterbrook NMLS#226555-916.224.7653

Patty Aguon NMLS#994635-916.833.5063

easterbrookteam@spmc.com

Easterbrook Team Update! Keeping You Ahead of the Curve!

Survey Says Sacramento is Superior

Realtor.com has just come out with the latest list of the hottest housing markets in the US in December.  Sacramento County came in at #5 in the US!  Jonathan Smoke, chief economist of Realtor.com, and his team carried out the data analysis and identified the top 20 medium-to-large markets where homes are moving fastest and interest (based on listing views on realtor.com) is highest. At the top of the list, for the second month in a row, is San Francisco, followed by its sister Bay Area city San Jose.  6 of the 10 are all in Northern California.  If you are in the real estate business, you are in the right place at the right time! For the article, CLICK HERE. 

 

There’s a Great Reason to Buy in January & February

As if buyers need another reason to buy, in January, closing costs are considerably lower for most buyers.  Most buyers have impound accounts (sometimes called “escrows”) when they purchase a home.  When establishing an impound at the close of escrow, a number of months of taxes must be set aside to pay for the next tax payment.  Buying now can save a substantial amount of money in closing costs. 

Closing Month	1st Payment	Estimated Impounds
January	March	2 Months
February	April	2 Months
March	May	3 Months
April	June	4 Months
May	July	5 Months
June	August	6 Months
August	October	8 Months
September	November	9 Months
October	December	4 Months
November	January	5 Months
December	February	6 Months

 

Another Survey…Consumer Confidence is UP!                       Reports the Sacramento Bee 12/23/15

U.S. consumer sentiment rose in December to its highest level since July, lifted in part by low inflation, which has boosted Americans' purchasing power.  The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, released Wednesday, rose to 92.6 from 91.3 in November. That's just below this year's average of 92.9, the highest annual average in 11 years.  For the article, CLICK HERE.

 

Do Your Buyers Want Rate Information?

We are currently offering an amazing product that is easy to share and completely free to our Realtor friends and your clients.  Rate Mastery is free to you and your clients.  You can co-brand with us, easily share the information on social media with one click, or just use it to help your borrowers make informed decisions about the market and when to lock.  For a preview, CLICK HERE.  Just call us at (916) 850-6050 and we’ll do the rest. 

By the way, if you haven’t compared our rates, they are some of the best in town!

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 144 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for the 4th month in a row!  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.