Yelp Yelp, Yelp Us Out!

We’ve been Yelped – in a good way.  We have been very fortunate to have worked with some of the most awesome agents and buyers.  Many have told us how they feel about the process on Yelp.  We invite you to share your experience too.  Thanks in advance for sharing: CLICK HERE.

The Easterbrook Team

916.850.6050

EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

Sierra Pacific Mortgage is Pre-Underwriting Buyers

The two phrases used very loosely in the mortgage business are “pre-qualified” and “pre-approved”.   Pre-qualified meaning an interview has been done with the potential homebuyer and based on the conversation a dollar amount and loan type are established for the buyer.  Pre-approval takes the process one step further and verifies income, asset, and credit document to verify their accurateness. These statements alone usually mean little, because they are (or should be) accompanied by the phrase “subject to underwriting approval”.  They are only backed by the reputation of the loan officer that offered them. 

Sierra Pacific Mortgage is changing this loose practice of merely stating that a potential homebuyer is qualified by providing an underwritten approval prior to a buyer making an offer on a home.  As an underwritten buyer, a home purchaser can now offer with confidence knowing that they have certainty on the loan piece of the transaction.  Agents also recognize the value of having a pre-underwritten buyer in a competitive marketplace.  Anything that can make a homebuyer’s offer standout in the eyes of the listing agent and seller should be taken advantage of in a multiple offer scenario.  

Call the Easterbrook Team in Folsom to start the pre-underwriting process. Not only are we “Making the Process Easy”, we are creating certainty in homebuying.

916.850.6050  EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

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

Borrower's Rushing to Refinance

Mortgage applications jump 6.3% as borrowers rush to refinance....


To Read The Entire Article Click Here!




To inquire about refinancing, call The Easterbrook Team at 916.850.6050


"We Make The Loan Process Easy!"

Tips for Sellilng Your Home this Winter!

Selling Your Home This Winter? You Can Still Make Your Yard Pop

Selling your home in the winter is hard enough without snow.
Add some frozen tundra or gray-brown slush, and you might be tempted to put that “For Sale” sign away until spring, when budding flowers and lush lawns entice buyers on their own. But waiting isn’t an option for everyone. If a job transfer or family circumstances have you on a tight timeline, you might be stuck trudging through the wintertime sell.
Don’t lose hope—winter can be a fabulous time to sell if you know how to capitalize on the market. High on the priority list: Know how to make your home stand out from all those other sad, cold houses on the block.
Winter landscaping is far from an oxymoron—it’s a necessity. Here are some easy solutions to improve the appearance of your snow-covered yard this winter.

Put in the work

Before you throw up your hands and call it a lost cause, remember this: To achieve a winter wonderland of a yard, the most important ingredient is some good old-fashioned sweat equity.
“Simple yard maintenance can go a long way,” says Steve Firlit, president of Firlit Landscape Design in Rochester, NY.
If the leaves are still falling, get out your rake; if it’s winter, make sure to neatly shovel your sidewalks, porch, and driveway. And don’t neglect your bushes and shrubs during the cold months—pruning them occasionally gives the landscape a “tidier, neater look,” Firlit says.
“If you’re making the effort to sell the house, put in a little bit of elbow grease,” he says. “You want to show off your landscaping on the front of the house.”

Dress up your garden beds

Your beds may not be filled with flowers, but that doesn’t mean they should look dreary. While adding mulch won’t help plants grow when the ground is frozen, it will give your garden a visual makeover and help you catch a buyer’s eye.
Firlit recommends re-edging your garden beds and giving them a light coating of mulch, covering up dead material and making the landscaping pop.
“It gives the appearance that the planting beds are kept up and neat-looking,” he says. “That goes a long way.”


To Read the Entire Article Please Click Here!


To discuss your home buying options or refinance needs call The Easterbrook Team Today!
916.850.6050 Easterbrookteam@spmc.com