home affordability

Read the latest blog posts from our mortgage experts, get the latest updates about the industry, tips and tricks for making your purchasing experience easy, and more!

Housing Affordability Factors: It’s Not Just About Price!

Sep 10 2021

Anthony Grasst

Housing Affordability Factors: It’s Not Just About Price! In a previous article, we discussed what we mean when we talk about housing affordability. We saw that affordability is a bit more complex than just... »
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Housing Affordability: What It Really Means

Aug 19 2021

Anthony Grasst

Housing Affordability: What It Really Means In the last few years, the housing market has experienced an extreme surge in growth. Listings have flown off the market faster than buyers can get their hands... »
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Three Factors that Affect the Move to Your Next Home

Mar 23 2020

Ben Chapman

Moving to a new home can mean grappling with second guesses and big decisions. However, your move can be made much easier if you focus on the three factors critical to the choice... »
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How to Financially Prepare for Homebuying

Feb 5 2020

Homebridge

Buying your first home is the biggest and arguably the most important purchase you will ever make. Preparing for that transition will require you to look at your finances in a different way.... »
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How Does Your Down Payment Affect Homebuying?

Feb 5 2020

Homebridge

The down payment is one of the most important elements of the homebuying process. Your down payment could affect your finances for years to come. In this article, we’re going to breakdown the... »
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How to Qualify for a Mortgage as a Self-Employed Professional

Jun 18 2019

Ben Chapman

As a self-employed business owner, you have a lot on your plate. While running a business and tending to your daily responsibilities, starting the home process might feel daunting. You may have even... »
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How to Use and Build Equity in Your Home

Jun 18 2019

Ben Chapman

If you’re like most Americans, your home will be a major source of your net worth. As you continue to pay your mortgage, you will build equity in your home, which allows for... »
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Should You Use Your 401(k) to Help Purchase a Home?

May 2 2019

Ben Chapman

You may be in the process of looking for a home or you may have already gotten pre-approved. You’ve been saving for months or even years and your down payment is still short.... »
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Should I Use a Renovation Loan to Improve, Buy, or Sell My Home?

May 2 2019

Ben Chapman

You’ve decided you want to renovate your home, or maybe you have your eye set on a home that needs a little work. Great! As the biggest renovation lender in the United States,... »
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Fantasy or Reality? Setting Reasonable Expectations for Buying Your First Home

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

Dreaming of owning a home is great but setting realistic expectations can help make the process that much easier. A lot happens from the day you decide to buy a new home to... »
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How Pre-approval Can Help You Secure Your Ideal Home

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

In a competitive homebuying market, sellers want to sell their homes quickly to someone who will be able to buy it with no issues. A pre-approval letter is an official document explaining the... »
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The Difference Between Pre-qualification and Pre-approval

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

The terms “pre-approval” and “pre-qualification” have likely come up while doing your research as a homebuyer. Understanding the differences between the two well set you up for success down your path to homeownership. Pre-qualification:... »
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Can I Afford to Buy a New Home?

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

You’ve always dreamt of owning your own home. You’ve thought about it, imagined it, and now you’re seriously considering it. At this point, you may have started to research homebuying and there’s a... »
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What is a Mortgage? Why Do I Need One?

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

As a first-time homebuyer, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all the things you need to know when buying a home. That’s where Homebridge comes in. We’re on a mission to make the homebuying... »
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Welcome to Homebuying 101: Beginning Your New Adventure

Mar 29 2019

Ben Chapman

Each year, thousands of people make the decision to purchase their first home. What often is seen as a daunting, complex process, is one your Homebridge team excels in. You see, we help... »
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Foreclosure and VA Home Loans

Jul 27 2017

Dan

Even with the great rates that a VA loan provides, unforeseen circumstances can arise where the veteran is unable to pay for their mortgage any longer. If a foreclosure seems likely the veteran... »
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CalVet vs. VA Home Loans

Jul 20 2017

Dan

CalVet Loans are based on CA bond rates Most active duty and veterans are aware that due to their service they are entitled to one of the best home loans... »
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Extraordinary Closing Costs for Extraordinary People With Homes For Heroes

Jun 30 2017

Jamie

HomeBridge Financial Services and The Jamie Zeitz Team’s mission is to provide extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services to our nation and our communities every day! Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest... »
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How Can I Afford To Pay For The Repairs And Upgrades To The Home I’m Buying?

Jun 8 2017

Jamie

A recent success story from Jennifer C. a new raving fan of The Jamie Zeitz Team at HomeBridge Financial Services! Jennifer, a new home buyer, started her search in a challenging inventory market and wondered... »
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Renting vs. Owning – The Power of the VA Loan in San Diego

Mar 2 2017

Dan

Housing is the biggest expense for most Americans and it accounts for more than 30 percent of a household's yearly expenditures. Of course, housing costs vary greatly depending on where you live and... »
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Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans in California

Feb 23 2017

Dan

The Disabled Veterans' Exemption reduces property tax liability for qualified veterans. These veterans must have been rated 100% disabled or are being compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployment due to a... »
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Beware! The HERO Program Can Affect a VA Home Loan And The Sale Of Your Home

Jan 26 2017

Dan

What is the Hero Program? HERO stands for Home Energy Renovation Opportunity. This is a program that provides financing for any energy improvements made to your house such as solar, windows, plumbing, etc. This... »
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Can Student Loans Affect VA Loans?

Dec 6 2016

Dan

Nearly 70% of College graduates have some sort of student loan debt, with an average of $37,000 in 2016. Just like any other debt, your student loans will be considered in your debt-to-income... »
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Home Buying Secrets – Off-Season Home Shopping

Oct 19 2016

Homebridge

While spring and summer are traditionally the times when people look to buy a home, there are many reasons why some buyers don’t begin their search until the warm weather subsides and the leaves... »
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Don’t Let Colder Temps Cause Your Home Ownership Dreams To Hibernate

Oct 12 2016

Homebridge

Historically, summer is the time when most people are looking to buy and sell real estate. As you may have heard, there was an unexpected and significant drop in rates this summer, which was... »
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Don’t Believe The Hype! Five Things Jeff Goldblum And Apartments.com Aren’t Telling You

Jul 15 2016

Homebridge

As an actor, we appreciate a lot of what Jeff Goldblum has done in his career. But as a spokesperson, well… both he and Apartments.com have a very one-sided way of looking at... »
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How much house can I afford with a VA loan?

Jan 12 2016

Dan

How much house can one afford with a VA Loan? Well, the answer really depends on the person. Many financial experts say a home should not make up more than 1/3rd of a gross... »
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How to Qualify for a VA Home Loan

Nov 6 2015

Dan

How does one qualify for a VA loan/mortgage? Very simply put, pretty much just like any other mortgage, with several advantages in the borrower's favor versus conventional mortgages. First of all, the VA DOES... »
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VA Loan – Am I Eligible?

Oct 28 2015

Dan

Do I qualify for a VA Loan and am I VA loan eligible are two very different questions. Qualifying for a VA loan, like any mortgage, requires certain credit scores, income, and debt... »
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Most Common VA Loan Questions and Myths

Oct 28 2015

Dan

We've compiled a list of some of the most common VA questions and myths that we encounter on a daily bases while helping hundreds of veterans. In this series, we will strive to... »
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