Thursday, December 21, 2017

Happy Holidays for Home Sales


Happy Holidays for Home Sales

US existing home sales jump to 11-year high

Reuters reports that U.S. home sales increased more than expected to 5.6 percent in November.  Existing home sales hit their highest level in nearly 11 years - since December of 2006.  This is the latest indication that housing has bounced back after almost stalling this year. 


Despite the recent gains, existing home sales remain constrained by a chronic shortage of houses at the lower end of the market, which is keeping prices elevated and sidelining some first-time buyers, who accounted for 29 percent of transactions last month.  Economists and Realtors say a 40 percent share of first-time buyers is needed for a robust housing market.


You can read all the details HERE.  Our experience on the Easterbrook Team mirrors this article with our current amount of purchases closing now and in the New Year for Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties. We have created HomeLoanWorkshop.org to keep up with demand and provide an educational outlet for potential homebuyers.  For reservations, call (916) 850-6050 or visit the website HERE

Monday, December 18, 2017

FICO scores: good, bad and ugly


FICO scores: good, bad and ugly


The Fair Isaac Corporation – developer of the FICO score and a pioneer in the field – groups credit score results into five basic tiers.

  • Exceptional – 800 and above.
  • Very good – 740 to 799.
  • Good – 670 to 739.
  • Fair – 580 to 669.
  • Poor – 579 and lower.

These numbers have a very real meaning to lenders. According to Fair Isaac, only 1 percent of those with credit scores of 800 and above are likely to become delinquent. To get more information, check out the article: CLICK HEREThe Easterbrook Team focuses on the best home loan value for every individual borrower.  Call us at (916) 850-6050. 

First Time Homebuyers Flood Market


First Time Homebuyers Flood Market



First time homebuyer demand surged to its highest level in 17 years during the third quarter of 2017, according to the First-Time Homebuyer Market Report from Genworth Mortgage Insurance.  The report, which is drawn from a data set of 21 million first-time homebuyers over a 24-year span, showed first-time homebuyers purchased 601,000 single-family homes in the third quarter. This is up 6% from 567,000 homes during the third quarter of 2016, and the highest quarterly purchase volume since the third quarter of 2000. Check out the article CLICK HERE.  The Easterbrook Team focuses on the best home loan value for every individual borrower.  Call us at (916) 850-6050. 

Holiday Hazards Avoided


Holiday Hazards Avoided


The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. Check out the article and make your holiday season a safe and happy one - CLICK HERE.  The Easterbrook Team is working during the holiday season - call us at (916) 850-6050. 

Self-Driving Cars Could Change Real Estate


Self-Driving Cars Could Change Real Estate



Commercial real estate experts predict that in the near future automated vehicles could dramatically change the landscape of how urban areas are utilized.  The biggest impact will likely be felt by a reduction in the use of parking within the urban area and more space devoted to shopping and office space.  Check out the article HERE.  What are your predictions?  The Easterbrook Team would love to hear from you - call us at (916) 850-6050. 

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

First Time Home Buyers Lead Market in 3rd Quarter


First Time Home Buyers Lead Market in 3rd Quarter


First-time home buyers purchased 601,000 single-family homes compared to 567,000 during 3Q’16, an increase of 6%, resulting in the highest quarterly purchase volume since September 30, 2000, according to the Genworth Mortgage Insurance First-Time Homebuyer Market Report


for the third quarter of 2017. It was the highest level of first-time home buyer demand since the third quarter of 2000. First-time home buyers accounted for 40% of all single-family homes sold and 56% of all purchase mortgages financed.  Have the Easterbrook Team show you all your options to buy for 2018.  Call us at (916) 850-6050. 

How to Find a Face-to-Face Lender


How to Find a Face-to-Face Lender


When you buy a home, you’re in it for the long haul. You’ll have a mortgage payment for 15, 20 or 30 years, after all, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best mortgage lenders out there. Keep reading for tips on how to shop around.
Finding a mortgage lender involves more than just getting a good interest rate; you want to work with the best mortgage companies, staffed by professionals who will guide you through the process.


  1. Get your credit score in shape. The higher your credit score, the more bargaining power you’ll have.
  2. Know the mortgage lending landscape. We’ve done some of the homework for you below.
  3. Get preapproved for your mortgage. Boost your chances of having your offer accepted by getting preapproved.
  4. Compare rates from several mortgage lenders. You can search for the best mortgage rates online.  Make sure that you are comparing rates on the same day - rates change daily. 
  5. Ask the right questions and read the fine print. Find out about requirements and fees, including costs beyond principal and interest payments

The good news is that the Easterbrook Team is holding free classes starting in January of 2018.  Go to HomeLoanWorkshop.org to sign up for classes.   

The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

Monday, December 11, 2017

FHA Raises Limits for Sacramento, El Dorado, & Placer Counties


FHA Raises Limits for Sacramento, El Dorado, & Placer Counties


and what it means to you…


Following the FHFA announcement last week, HUD announced Friday that they were raising their maximum loan limits for Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties.  The 2017 limit for conforming was 422,100.  For 2018, it is now is $453,100.  For high balance, we now can take a single family FHA loan all the way up to $517,500.  For duplexes, the maximum loan is $662,500 – that’s right!  An owner occupied homebuyer can buy up to $686,500 with only 3.5% down payment. 


Call the Easterbrook Team for all your lending solutions.  Also, check out our website for classing coming soon for homebuyers in January at HomeLoanWorkshop.org

The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"
916.850.6050

Homebuyers: Save Money on Your Taxes Ahead of Tax Reform




  • Depending on your situation, prepaying 2018 property taxes this year could make sense.
  • You also could prepay January's mortgage and write off the interest in 2017.
  • Both the Senate and House versions of tax reform would require you to live in your home for five years instead of two to get an exemption from paying taxes on any capital gains generated by the sale.


Homeowners might want to consider prepaying certain house-related expenses this year in advance of tax legislation that could clear Congress as early as this month. CLICK HERE for article.

The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

Mortgage Fraud is Rampant in China





This one didn't surprise us, but it is interesting.  One reporter said, "the fraud is so rampant, it's mind-bending".

  • China home prices tripled from 2000 to 2015
  • In 2016 prices rose 12.4%
  • Some estimates say house prices have doubled in major cities in the past two years
  • A veteran property agent said 50% of his sales featured clients committing some kind of fraud
    China's current real estate environment sounds familiar.  Experts agree that regulators are preparing to spring into action.  CLICK HERE for the article. 
The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Our Predictions for 2018





Our efforts to plan for 2018 have already started.  We’ve initiated our class schedules, created a website, and started marketing our Home Loan Workshop.  We continue to reach out to our client base and our real estate partners.  All these efforts will pay dividends 4 - 6 months from now.  We do not put too much emphasis on what the future will provide, but we do try to base our strategies and marketing on the trends.  Rentals, for instance, are at an all-time high and rental rates are as well.  We feel this will force some folks that otherwise would comfortably stay in their rental to look at buying a home.  We are sending 2,500 full page mailers to high rent tenants in the area by the end of the year. 


We’ve scoured the Internet, and there seems to be a consensus on the following:

1. Inventory shortages will drive the housing market. There are 12 percent fewer homes to choose from nationwide than there were a year ago, and 51 percent of for-sale properties are in the top one-third of home values, which are out of reach for first-time buyers.

2. Builders will turn their focus to entry-level homes. Housing starts have been well below the 50-year average of 1.2 million, builders are expected to finally hearken to the call of first-time and lower- to middle-income buyers yearning for more affordable options.

3. New homes will lead the pack for growth.  Experts predict that new home starts and sales will increase 7% over 2017

4. Millennials will move to the suburbs. Although most millennials would prefer to live in urban areas, they can’t afford to live in these areas.  25- to 34-year-olds will begin moving to the ‘burbs in search of more affordable home prices.

5. Many homeowners will remodel rather than sell. Low inventories will force many homeowners, despite having high confidence about being in a seller’s market, to stay put. Homeowners will invest in their existing home to make it feel new.

6. Homes prices will continue to grow, but at a slower pace. 2017 has been full of record-breaking home price growth, with economists calling it nearly unstoppableHome prices are expected to climb 4.1 percent in 2018 — 1.1 percentage points higher than the “normal” annual appreciation closer of 3 percent, but slower than the current annual pace of 6.9 percent.

7. Rates will continue to rise, but at a slower pace. Here’s an interesting fact: rates are actually lower in December of 2017 than they were in December of 2016!  You wouldn’t hear this from the main stream media.  The Mortgage Bankers Association expects rates to be at about .375% - .75% from where they are right now – CLICK HERE for article.  The nice thing about rates is that they are usually in balance with the economy.  Where, if the economy is doing well, rates will be higher.  If there are more people with jobs and disposable income, there will be more homes sold. 

We would love to hear your predications.  We would also welcome the opportunity to show you what The Easterbrook Team can do to help make your 2018 your best year ever. 

Should I Buy a New Home or Resale?





Home buyers today are faced with a fundamental choice: should they buy a home in an established neighborhood? Or is it better to go for a never-lived-in home in a new development? Each has its advantages and drawbacks. Here are some of the top decision points.

An “older” home—a better term would be “resale home”—will typically be in a neighborhood that is well-established. Many of the neighbors may've lived there for decades. The character of the neighborhood may be evident: for example, do most of the other homeowners have teenagers, or small children, or are many nearing retirement age?

Older homes were built when land was less expensive, so they tend to have larger lots than today’s newer developments, which places larger homes on small lots, with very little space between buildings.

Trees, lawns and other vegetation will be mature compared to new developments, which can seem comparatively sparse and open. 

Want more new and used comparisons?  CLICK HERE for the article.

The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"
916.850.6050

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

What is the #1 Trait Homebuyers Want in Their Realtor?




This article is one of the most interesting that we've read lately.  Today’s home buyers primarily want their real estate agents to be helpful, according to a new study from Open Listings. The study, which looked at the volume of certain keywords across five-star agent reviews on its proprietary platform, found “helpful” appeared the most out of all terms tracked.  The #1 trait isn't knowledge, communication, or a record of past success - HELPFULNESS is the #1 desired quality for new homebuyers.  To find out what #'s 2,3,4, and 5 are, CLICK HERE for the article.

The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"
916.850.6050

Should You Use Your Agent's In-House Lender?





Nothing peaked our interest more than this piece on choosing a lender.  We didn't write it, but we could have.  If your real estate agent suggests that you use an in-house lender, should  you automatically assume that the lender is looking out for your best interest.  First know that there is no obligation to use them.  What is the reason for having an in-house lender?  Several.  The first is an MSA (mutual service agreement) that some real estate offices and lenders share.  There are incentives paid to the real estate company for every loan transaction they fund together.  This often results in higher costs to the consumer.  The money paid to the real estate company has to come from somewhere. 


This does not mean, however, that the in-house lender is automatically disqualified as your best option.  Just know that you do have other options.  Check online reviews.  Ask friends and relatives that recently purchased.  Ask them how their experience was and if they could get a recommendation.  For the whole article, CLICK HERE

The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"
916.850.6050

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Control of CFPB is the Latest Political Football





There was a big shakeup at the CFPB.  A battle for the soul of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) played out Monday inside a federal building in Washington. The real estate industry watched with fascination as White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney sought to wrest power from the agency’s acting director.  Click HERE for article.

The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

Holiday Toy Drive for Families in Need



Bring holiday cheer to neighbors in need by participating in the Annual Christmas Toy Drive. The toy drive is organized by Folsom's Citizens Assisting Public Safety (CAPS), in partnership with the Folsom Police and Fire Departments and the Folsom Police Foundation. Toys and gifts collected are delivered to Folsom families in need by Folsom Police and Fire personnel in the days before Christmas.

Help make the holidays special for local families in two ways:


Make a wish come true. Select an ornament from the trees in the lobby of the Folsom Police Department or Folsom Fire Department Station 35 to fill the specific wish of a child. Return the ornament and new, unwrapped gift to the Police or Fire Department.


Bring a gift of your choosing for a child, teen or adult. New, unopened and unwrapped toys, as well as new clothing or gift cards, may be dropped off at the Folsom Police Department or at the Folsom Fire Department Station 35.

The Folsom Police Department is located at 46 Natoma Street and Folsom Fire Department Station 35 is located at 535 Glenn Drive. Donated gifts can be delivered between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. through December 8. For more information contact Jessica Hess at 916-351-3409 or jhess@folsom.ca.us.

Monday, December 4, 2017

The Pros and Cons of a 15 Year Mortgage




Only about one in six borrowers of conventional mortgages have used a 15-year mortgage so far in 2017. No doubt many borrowers shy away from the shorter home loans when they learn that it requires a payment that’s considerably larger.  In the long run, though, a 15-year mortgage saves money.  The cons include, the buyer has more equity tied up and will qualify for a less expensive home than if they’d stretch the loan over 30 years. Our friends at Builder Magazine wrote a nice comparison between the benefits and drawbacks.  Check out the article HERE.  Looking to buy or refinance? Now may be the time to do it as opposed to waiting until next year.  Call the Easterbrook Team at (916) 850-6050 or email us at easterbrookteam@spmc.com.

Mortgage Subsidies Take Center Stage




The future of the mortgage-interest deduction and other federal housing incentives has proven to be one of the hot spots in the debate over tax reform.  But while Realtors and some industry groups say Republican proposals to scale down tax perks meant to spur homeownership could severely damage the market, other analysts say mortgage subsidies should be restructured or eliminated altogether.  Check out the article HERE.  Looking to buy or refinance? Now may be the time to do it as opposed to waiting until next year.  Call the Easterbrook Team at (916) 850-6050 or email us at easterbrookteam@spmc.com

The Great Unwind Begins




The Federal Reserve has announced that they will start to unload their massive $4.5 trillion balance sheet of bonds.  The Fed began buying bonds in 2009 to ease the mortgage crash.  What does this mean to the everyday consumer? Higher rates across the board. We will see rates go up from credit cards, to car loan, to home equity lines and of course mortgage rates.  Check out the article HERE.  Looking to buy or refinance? Now may be the time to do it as opposed to waiting until next year.  Call the Easterbrook Team at (916) 850-6050 or email us at easterbrookteam@spmc.com

Friday, December 1, 2017

Are Lenders Making It Easier to Buy?





Here’s an important question for anyone who is hoping to buy a home next year but who isn’t quite confident about qualifying for a mortgage: Is it true that lenders have eased up on certain key requirements, making it simpler for first-time buyers and others who can’t pass all the strict tests to get approved?  The Washington Post writes that the good-news answer is yes. A recent survey of banks and mortgage companies by giant investor Fannie Mae found that a record number of lenders report that they have relaxed at least some requirements for mortgage clients. Click HERE for article.


The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"
916.850.6050

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Some Argue Mortgage Rates Won't Jump





If you're in the car business, counting on your year-end bonus, you may be worried.  If you're in the mortgage business, you're cracking your knuckles and rolling up your sleeves.  It seems that bond traders have already "baked in" the pricing for the December rate hike to mortgage backed securities.  We may have a strong December yet. Click HERE for the article.

The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

3 Tax Code Change Affecting Homeowners – and Our Industry





Republicans in the House and Senate have unveiled their plans to reform the tax code and they're looking to chop some tax benefits of buying and selling a home.  Here's a look at some of the potential tax changes in play that could impact homeowners:

  1. Reduce the mortgage interest deduction from $1,000,000 to $500,000.  Eliminate the interest deduction from 2nd homes and 2nd mortgages.  This will have the biggest impact in areas near the coast on both sides of the US. 

The new Bill would require homeowners to itemize their deductions. The Tax Policy Center estimated that the percent of filers who claim the deduction would fall to 4% from 21% if the standard deduction doubles.

This will have the biggest impact on resales and construction in areas near the coast on both sides of the US.  It will definitely affect the Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties where a high percentage of homes are in the $550K+ range. 

  1. Eliminating state and local tax deduction is in the Senate’s plan.  The House’s plan would not eliminate this deduction, but it would cap it at $10,000.  According to data from ATTOM, a little more than 4 million Americans have a property tax bill above that threshold.

Both proposals could serious hit homeowners in high tax states like New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and (yup, you guessed it) California.

  1. Limit tax breaks for sellers.  Some of the suggested changes would also mean homeowners could get hit with a bigger tax bill on the sale of their primary home.  Current law allows sellers to generally exclude $250,000, or $500,000 for those filing jointly, from capital gains when selling a home as long as they've lived in it for two out of the past five years.  
    Both the House and Senate want to increase the live-in time period to five out of the last eight years. The Senate bill allows for some exceptions to the time requirement, like if a seller is leaving due to a change in jobs or health care.   
    This would have a clear impact on mobility by creating a direct and likely unexpected tax bill for owners of homes, as well as reducing gains these home owners expected to be part of their retirement portfolio.  It also will result in selling less homes…

What is our take on the Bill?  We know that the budget isn’t balanced.  We’re not convinced that this is the way to do it though.  Why? The new tax Bill strikes at the very core of our industry – the monetary benefit to owning a home.  The proposed tax laws would also affect many other industries.  When a home is purchased, a significant amount of revenue is generated from the tax on the home purchase, the landscaping and new light fixtures at Home Depot, and the contractor that installs the new counter tops in the kitchen – all that is lost when a potential homeowner decides to wait on purchasing because it isn’t affordable.

Along with the proposed changes, a thorough study must be done on the unintended consequences of eliminating laws that encourage home ownership.  We’ll read it and write another article on the results.  Stay tuned – this affects all of us. 

Borrowers Increasingly Dissatisfied with Online Banking





More and more customers may be heading online to purchase mortgages, but overall satisfaction with electronic mortgage processes is majorly declining, according to J.D. Power’s 2017 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study.


According to the study, individuals find online mortgage purchasing procedures slow and tedious, with overall satisfaction falling 8 points in 2017. The average time for starting and completing mortgage applications has risen to 36 days, a significant increase from last year. 


Even so, the number of people who use online methods for acquiring mortgages has increased since 2016. Forty-three percent of customers applied for mortgages digitally in 2017, up 26 percent from last year. Still, however, the study reports overall satisfaction for these mortgage acquisition methods has fallen 18 points on a year-over-year basis.


“A critical element of satisfaction is setting expectations, and this tends to be a weakness of technology,” said Craig Martin, director of J.D. Power’s mortgage practice. Instead, customers prefer face-to-face interactions with loan representatives who verbally assist their clients and offer updates on the status of their loans. 


Among the study’s key findings in customer perception on electronic mortgage purchase processes is a lack of trust, which many customers did not claim to feel through a computer screen. Overall satisfaction is “substantially lower among customers who do not work with a human to complete their application,” according to Martin.


On the Easterbrook Team, we strive to meet all the touch points that borrowers are seeking: speed, accuracy, trust, and direct communication.  Give us a call today and we will "make the loan process easy" for you. (916) 805-6050 or homeloanworkshop.org.   

Monday, November 27, 2017

To Pay or Not to Pay!


Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?


If you are planning on paying off your mortgage, you won't be alone.  Nearly half of the borrowers last year between the ages of 65 and 69 had their homes paid free and clear.  If you have the means and are considering paying off your mortgage, there are 3 compelling reasons to do so:

  1. Increasing Your Net Worth - although a home is usually an excellent investment, by not paying a mortgage with your assets, they can be allocated to other investments that gain interest and increase wealth.
  2. Reduce Interest Expense - relating to reason #1, paying a mortgage will drain your assets.  A typical $200,000 30 year mortgage at 4%, will cost you $145,000 in interest over the life of the loan.
  3. Reduce Debt Stress - for many, having a mortgage looming over their head can be very stressful.  Not having a mortgage can give many homeowners a feeling of safety knowing that if there is an interruption in the flow of income, the house will not be put at risk.   

Whether you are planning on keeping your mortgage in place, planning on accelerating the payments, or considering paying it off, we on the Easterbrook Team are happy to consult with you to find solutions that meet your retirement needs.

916.850.6050

What to Expect When Qualifying for a Mortgage





To qualify for a home mortgage today, you’re still going to need to meet minimum standards. These include:
• A favorable credit score. Fannie Mae requires a minimum credit score of only 620.
• An appropriate debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Your DTI number signifies your total recurring monthly debt payments (such as credit cards, student loans and mortgages) versus your gross monthly income. Fannie Mae’s new DTI ceiling is 50 percent.
• An acceptable loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Your LTV represents the loan’s size compared to the property’s value. Fannie Mae’s maximum LTV is a generous 97 percent.
• A reasonable loan limit. Fannie Mae’s maximum loan limit in most states is $424,100.  In Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties, Fannie Mae currently allows borrowers to take advantage of a high balance loan amount of $488,750.

Call The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

The Bank of Mom & Dad!


The Bank of Mom and Dad is a Lifeline for Many Millennial Home Buyers



According to Zillow, 20 percent of homebuyers today receive a monetary gift or loan from family or friends. As well, nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of buyers combine two or more sources to finance their down payment.

Translation: Millennials often need financial assistance from their parents to buy a first home.  Of course, call the Easterbrook Team for guidance before accepting money.  To get some preliminary instruction, here are some guidelines: CLICK HERE for the article.

The Easterbrook Team
"We Make the Loan Process Easy"
916.850.6050

Another Reason to Buy a Home in Folsom!


Ever Ride Your Bike from Folsom to Lake Tahoe?



Some of the world's best cyclists will do just that on May 17th, 2018 in the Amgen Tour of California bike race.  Come join the Easterbrook Team to cheer on the bike riders as they start on this brutal leg of the 600 mile race.  Want to see the itinerary - CLICK HERE for the Press Release.   

The Easterbrook Team
916.850.6050

Difference Between Homeowner's Insurance & Mortgage Insurance




Homeowners insurance covers your property itself. Each insurance plan is different, but it typically protects damage to the structure of your home and your personal belongings, and liability in the case of a lawsuit.  Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects your lender if you stop making payments on your loan. It typically comes in the form of a monthly payment that is added to your existing mortgage payment, and is usually required for those who make a down payment of less than 20%. Want to know more? CLICK HERE for article.


Call The Easterbrook Team Today!
916.850.6050
"We Make the Loan Process Easy!"

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

How To Make You More Secure Online




Our friends at Popular Science magazine have given us 15 ways to keep you safe online, protect your phone, and protect you from scams - CLICK HERE for article.


The Easterbrook Team is your source for mortgage lending.
916.850.6050  EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

How to Buy a Duplex with Less Than 5%




A duplex is a property with two units on one parcel. It’s traditionally a way to get into the investment real estate game, because you get shelter for yourself, plus rental income and extra tax breaks. The rent can offset or even completely cover your mortgage and other costs.


The owner-occupied unit can be treated as a primary residence. The rental unit can be treated as investment property. The rental side can be depreciated and write-off related repairs and improvements.  Always ask a tax professional for details.


Buy a Duplex with a VA Loan - VA guidelines allow qualified borrowers to purchase properties with one to four units and zero percent down. One unit, however, must be your primary residence.  Buying a duplex with the VA program can be very advantageous. First of all, purchasing with nothing down is extremely attractive. Also, you’ll get residential mortgage rates and not investor financing rates, and eligible borrowers can benefit under the VA’s unique qualification system.


Buy a Duplex with an FHA Loan - The FHA, like the VA, does not make investment loans. It requires all financing in its basic 203(b) program to be secured by a primary residence. You have to occupy the home.

That said, you can use the FHA program with 3.5 percent down to buy property with one-to-four units, so a duplex is okay as long as you occupy one of the two units.


The Easterbrook Team wants to hear your hopes and dreams of homeownership and real estate investment.  Call us today for an appointment.  We are located at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom, California.  Our phone # is (916) 850-6050.