Blog

One of the biggest changes in American culture over the course of this grueling pandemic has been the closure of cinemas around the country. The simple joys of sitting down with a bucket of freshly buttered popcorn, while sipping a soft drink on the rocks, eagerly...

Glory, fandom, awards and riches are the perks that professional athletes are beneficiaries of over the course of their careers. But what happens when the limelight fades and the cheers are no longer audible? Since the career of a pro athlete is typically over by the...

Whether it be the rent, gas, bar tabs or dining out, the Bay Area is not known for being inexpensive. And it’s not just San Francisco. For the last decade Oakland has rivaled all other Bay Area cities in growth and exorbitant pricing for all things. As an East Bay...

There can be a multitude of expenses when buying a home. Whether it be the down payment or the closing costs, the appraisal or various inspections, all fees and factors can certainly add up. In many cases homebuyers will also have to pay mortgage insurance. It would...

For the fifth consecutive year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) increased loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The conforming loan limit will jump from $510,400 to $548,250. For high cost areas, like the Bay Area, the loan limit will...

First, let's be clear. Bank Statement loans is not a return to the type of loans that triggered the last housing crisis. Bank statement loans, simply, are a way for self-employed mortgage applicants to qualify for higher loan amounts. Only for Self-Employed  When...

For the fourth consecutive year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) increased loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The conforming loan limit will jump from $484,350 to $510,400. For high cost areas, like the Bay Area, the loan limit will...

Here's how SELFi compares to Better Mortgage: 1. Interest Rates Let's cut right to the chase. First, how the business models differ: SELFi is a marketplace that shops wholesale interest rates across 15 lending partners, using an algorithm to match the lowest rate...

Often the biggest misconception of first-time home-buyers is the down payment. Some think it’s 20%, others think it’s 0%. Here's the real deal: For mortgages $484,350 and below, there are two programs called HomeReady and HomePossible. There are some minor differences...

Everyone knows that comparison shopping saves them money, yet when it comes to mortgages, many people don't. According to a report by the CFPB and Federal Housing Agency, 50% of consumers failed to shop around with mortgage companies before applying. Furthermore, 75%...

I always tell people, the biggest competition for SELFi is consumer misunderstanding. The more knowledgeable a customer is about mortgage rates, the more likely SELFi will earn his or her business. So we are in the education business just as much as the mortgage...

Often the biggest barrier for first-time home-buyers in San Francisco is the down payment. Traditional banks usually require 20% down. In San Francisco, the median home value is a whopping $1.14 million, where a 20% down payment equates to $228,000.   5% Down, No...

For the third consecutive year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) increased loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The conforming loan limit will jump from $453,100 to $484,350. For high cost areas, like the Bay Area, the loan limit will...

You applied for an FHA or VA loan, but your lender said your credit score is too low. Here is the number one thing you need to know: The minimum credit score may be a lender overlay. What are Lender Overlays? Lender overlays are more stringent standards than investor...