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#downpaymentassistance #california #teachers 

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#mortgages refinance homeloantips refinancetips home loanofficer mortgageadvisor

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The Market in a Minute

Please enjoy this quick update on what happened this week in the housing and financial markets.

Consumer confidence hit a one-year high in March, supporting optimism for labor market improvements and accelerated economic growth in the coming months.

Private payrolls rose by 517,000 in March according to ADP, the fastest pace since September. Hospitality led the way, with the battered sector adding 169,000 new workers.

The most recent 4-week average for jobless claims fell to its lowest level since March 2020

Home prices continue to accelerate at a quick pace, up 11.2% year-over-year in January, according to Case-Shiller. That is the largest annual gain in nearly 15 years.

February home sales fell 0.5% below last year's level, though pending home sales fell more than 10% compared with January, as record low supply stifles the housing market

Construction spending was down slightly in February, likely hurt by an unusually harsh cold snap this winter. Spending was still up 5.3% over February 2020.

#mortgagemarket marketupdate homeloans mortgages sandiegorealestate

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This fun Valentine Food Crafts takes a twist on the Classic Root Beer Float! Use strawberry soda and mix with ice cream for a yummy after school or February Valentine’ s Party Treat!

Ingredients:

Vanilla Ice Cream

Strawberry Soda

Whipped Cream (optional)

Maraschino Cherries (optional)

Directions:

Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass.

Slowly add strawberry soda  – it will foam a lot!

Optionally you can add whipped cream and a cherry to the top.

Serve with long spoon and straw.

Happy eating – Enjoy!

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COUPLES’ HOMEBUYING TIPS FROM ANITA & EDGAR

Many new couples have come to us over the years and asked for advice on planning or right-sizing and the good news is that it is much simpler than what it looks like. Like everything in life, it takes commitment and consistency but with the right roadmap of success, you can be on track to your next real estate goal! 

As a couple / mortgage advisors, our love advice instinctually ties into the homebuying process. Looking back on our experience as a couple buying a house, we thought we’d share a few things we found important. Save this for your future home, your next home, and to read over with your future spouse! ;) 

P.S. We have many amazing clients that happen to be single. It has always been my dream to play matchmaker, so if you’re interested, shoot me a text or a DM.

One of you will say that the kitchen has to be updated, while the other is most concerned about space. Sit down and have a discussion to make sure you are on the same page when shopping.

Location, location… and did we say location? Picking a home that is close enough to both of your workplaces is the best way to go. And, if you see kids in your timeline, it is good to factor in living in school districts you would want your children to attend someday. 

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Meaning: we don’t recommend buying above your means in hopes that you will meet them in the future. Buy something that is perfect for you right now or even a little below what you can afford monthly. You’ll thank us later!

LIKE REALLY Discuss your budget. You would be surprised to hear that there is always a 15-25% difference between each partners’ response. Reaching a happy point is pivotal for a successful relationship. 

This isn't just a soft plug... this is a must. You have to be pre-approved these days to go house hunting. You can't even step into a home without a pre-approval letter verifying that you can afford the property. 

Improving your credit score is a tangible task by making payments here and there on your accounts. Fake news: you do not have you pay everything off completely. If you’re ready to buy and think your credit score is holding you back, we can help you come up with a plan to raise your credit and get you ready to buy. 

If you’re close to paying off that car, or at the finish line for those dreaded student loans, it is also a great option to pay some of these debts off. The lower your debt to income ratio, the lower your monthly mortgage payment.

--- 

One nugget of advice: learn how to communicate with one another.

One nugget of advice that relates to not only the home buying process, but also relationships as a whole is: to learn how to communicate with one another. Homebuying (and marriage!) can sometimes be stressful, so stepping back and being able to listen to where the other person is coming from is super important.

Whether a couple or a boss-man, or boss-lady moving ready to buy, we would love to assist you in this process. Aside from each other, one of our other great loves is to help people achieve the dream of owning a home! 

#valentinesday #marriage #communication #realestate #homeloans #dreamhome #purchasetips #lender #mortgagelender #sandiegorealestate

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vanilla chai lemon ricotta muffins

Satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your nutrition! Extra light and moist, these muffins are made with lemons, ricotta cheese, and hints of chai, as well as sweetened with a touch of honey!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup honey

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon Meyer lemon zest and 2 tablespoons juice (about 1 lemon)

1 3/4 cups white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon cardamon

1/4 teaspoon all-spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

LEMON POPPYSEED BUTTER

4 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon poppyseeds

2 teaspoons lemon zest

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, honey, and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and juice, beat until smooth and creamy. Add the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, all-spice, and salt. Mix on low-speed until just combined, being sure the batter is completely mixed.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared pan. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Meanwhile, make the honey butter. In a small bowl, combine the butter, honey, poppyseeds, and lemon zest.

5. Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature, smeared with chia butter. Enjoy!

Recipe via Half Baked Harvest

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sweet potato fry steak salad with blue cheese butter

This taste-packed  Sweet Potato Fry Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Butter will definitely hit the spot! Grilled or pan-seared steak, topped with blue cheese butter, oven-baked sweet potato fries, fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and tossed together with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. 

INGREDIENTS

3 small-medium sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks

4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

kosher salt and fresh black pepper

1 (8-10 ounce) ribeye steak or 1 1/2 pound flank steak

6 cups shredded romaine lettuce

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1 avocado, sliced

4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

3-4 ounces gorgonzola or blue cheese, crumbled

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 small shallot, finely diced

2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme

kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the fries. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, the chipotle chili powder, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Spread the fries in an even layer. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip and bake for 15-20 minutes more. You want the sweet potatoes to be tender, yet crisp.

2. To make the vinaigrette. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake or whisk until combined. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

3. To make the steak. Remove the steaks from the fridge 30 minutes prior to grilling. Preheat the grill or a grill pan to high heat. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Sear until your desired doneness is reached, about 5-8 minutes for medium-rare, per side. Remove the steaks and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.

4. Combine the butter, blue cheese, and basil in a bowl. Spread the butter over the steak, then slice against the grain.

5. Assemble the salad. Add the romaine, tomatoes, avocado, and dressing. Toss to combine. Once the salad has been tossed, top with fries and steak. Serve immediately.

Recipe via Half Baked Harvest.

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breakfast quesadilla with soft scrambled eggs and avocado salsa

Breakfast Quesadilla with Soft Scrambled Eggs and Avocado Salsa…the best breakfast, any day of the week. 

INGREDIENTS

6 large eggs

kosher salt

1 tablespoon butter at room temperature

1 can (4 ounce) diced green chiles

1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped

4 whole wheat or regular flour tortillas

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

4 slices cooked crispy bacon, lightly crumbled

1-2 cups baby spinach or arugula

2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives

extra virgin olive oil, for cooking

AVOCADO SALSA

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives or green onions

1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped

juice from 1 lime

1 avocado, diced

kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk together the eggs and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.

2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs and cook, undisturbed, until a thin layer of cooked egg appears around the edge of the skillet. Using a rubber spatula gently push/move the eggs around the skillet until fluffy and barely set, about 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the skillet.

3. In a small bowl, combine the green chiles and chipotle peppers.

4. Lay the tortillas flat on a clean counter. On the top of 2 tortillas, evenly layer the cheeses, eggs, bacon, and green/chipotle peppers. Add a handful of greens (spinach, arugula, etc) on top. Then lay the remaining 2 tortillas on top.

5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, place the quesadillas, one at a time, in the skillet and cook until golden on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side. Serve topped with avocado salsa.

6. To make the salsa, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add salt, to taste.

Recipe via: Half Baked Harvest

#recipes #homeloans

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Peppermint Bark Cookies in a Mason Jar

Hopefully you’ve saved room for dessert because this week has one of the most delicious days of the year - National Cookie Day, coming up on December 4th. In honor of National Cookie Day, we’ve rounded up a sweet and easy recipe to make and use as a holiday gift that will be a hit! So, raise a chocolate chip in honor of our favorite snack, and don't forget the milk!

We want to see what kind of cookies you are making this holiday season! Tag us in your cookie pics @anitaguilar @eafunding @sandiegohomeloan for the chance to win a $50 gift card to the grocery store of your choice!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 of 1 full package (18.4 ounce package) fudge brownie mix (9.2 ounces total)

1/2 of 1 full package (3.9 ounce package) instant chocolate fudge pudding mix, dry (so ~2 ounces total)

1/2 of 1 full Ghirardelli peppermint bark bar (or Hershey's peppermint bar), coarsely chopped

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

2 tablespoons white chocolate chips

ADD IN LATER

2 ounces full-fat cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg yolk

INSTRUCTIONS

IN THE MASON JAR: Using a food scale, separate the brownie mix and pudding mix in exact halves. Add the brownie mix to the jar first (do not pack down). Add in the pudding mix (again don't pack down). Add in the coarsely chopped peppermint bark bar, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. Seal the mason jar, add a ribbon with a miniature whisk (if desired), and attach the free printable recipe attachment (or the following directions)

RECIPE TO ATTACH: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream together room temperature cream cheese and room temperature butter until smooth. Beat in 1 large egg yolk. Add the mason jar mix and beat until a very thick dough is formed. Scoop out the cookies onto a parchment lined tray and bake for 13-16 minutes. (Underbake for an awesome brownie texture!)

Recipe via: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

#recipe #holidays #christmas #cookies #holidayrecipe #mortage #homeloan #realestate #homesweethome

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The time is NOW to plan your 2021 Marketing Strategy

With the holidays right around the corner, something we want to put on your radar is coming up with a 2021 marketing plan for your real estate business. This year has changed how realtors conduct business. More realtors than ever are utilizing online marketing than ever, and transactions are too happening virtually. We expect the real estate landscape to stay the same for at least the first quarter of 2021. In preparation for this, we’ve rounded up some suggestions on how to optimize your real estate digital marketing strategy.

STUDY UP AND BECOME A REAL ESTATE EXPERT:

In the information age, knowledge is power. The more you know about your market and the industry overall, the more you can hone your business strategy to stay ahead of the curveballs. People are also hungry for information they can trust, so use your platforms as a place to give the people what they want. As you provide your audience with industry insight, tips, and news, they will trust more in you and keep you top of mind when they want to buy or sell! You can find monthly stats for San Diego County Real Estate on the SDMLS site, and we also recommend setting Google Alerts to get real-time industry news.

UP YOUR SOCIAL GAME

2020 has proven that social media is the cornerstone of digital marketing as a realtor. More people are hopping on their computers and smartphones for just about everything, and this means you have more people than ever at your fingertips.

To improve your social media activities in favor of lead generation and saving costs, you can try the following:

Stick to a social calendar:

Consistency is key when it comes to nurturing your social presence. Below are the latest recommendations on how often you should post on each platform:

Engage with your audience

Make sure you have an extra hour every day for liking, commenting, and communicating with your audience. It has a huge effect on the visibility and credibility of your account.

Build a Network

Work with those in your inner circle to do what we call “cross pollinating.” For example, liking sharing, tagging your clients and business partners. This helps you be seen by their followers, and thereby expand your audience. This is highly recommended, especially if you have a smaller audience you are trying to build.

Keep It Professional and Personal

Balance is key! When it comes to content, don’t oversaturate your audience with sales pitches, and even real estate news in general. Mix in some entertainment to show your personality, but not too much entertainment. This balance of personal professional content is paramount to maintain your reputation as a realtor.  

Pair with Some Ads

Ads can be considered as complementary to your content development strategy. The competition is fierce on social media, and it might take a very long time for you to expand only through original and valuable content. In this case, you can use ads to help boost your chances of getting in front of your targeted audience.

2021 will be here before you know it, and we want to help you prepare! If you are interested in assistance with your marketing strategy for next year, set up a time with our marketing manager, Melissa: book your appointment here.

#2021 #2021marketing #marketingstrategy #realestatemarketing #mortgageloans #homeloans #sandiego #realestate #realestatenews

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Sides are one of the best parts of a Thanksgiving meal. If you want a dish that will wow your family or your Zoom party guests with minimal effort, we’ve found the perfect recipe for you. As you begin brainstorming the must-haves for your Thanksgiving menu, be sure to work these simple yet mouth-watering Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts into the lineup. 

This recipe is a life-saver at the holidays—no oven time required. Here’s how to make them:

Grab a skillet and fry some bacon.

Leave a little bacon fat in the pan (but probably not all of it) and add some olive oil.

Fry the Brussels sprouts until they're caramelized and crispy.

Add the bacon back to the pan, drizzle in a little maple syrup and pat yourself on the back! you just made the best Brussels sprouts that your family / friends / whoever have ever tasted. These are mind-changing Brussels sprouts.

We want to see what’s on your plate this year! Tag us in your food pics @anitaguilar @eafunding @sandiegohomeloan for the chance to win a $50 gift card to the grocery store of your choice! 

#quick recipe #holidayrecipes #brussellssprouts #mortgage #homeloans #realestate #sandiego #mortgageadvisor

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NEWS ALERT: CALHFA Raises Max Debt to Income Ratio to 45%

We have some great news for our clients that are prospective first-time homebuyers. The CalHFA loan program has increased their debt to income ratio to 45% effective November 2nd.

All loans locked on or after November 2, 2020 are eligible for this regardless of the automated underwriting decision or compensating factors. CalHFA is an amazing opportunity for you to be able to access funds to help with a down payment – up to 3% of the purchase price. Every bit helps get clients in a place to have enough purchase power to buy in the San Diego housing market. 

We are one of the few lenders in California offering this program at the moment. If you’re interested in learning more about this program and if you could qualify for it, contact us today!

[email protected] | 858.382.0030 | Start Our Online Questionnaire

#calhfa #downpayment #downpaymentassistance #homeloans #mortgages #mortgagespecialist #mortgageadvisor #sandiegorealestate #realestate #mortgagenews #realestatenews #california #sandiego

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The Scoop on Prop 19

With the election quickly approaching, we have had clients reaching out to us for more information on some of the propositions on the ballot pertaining to real estate and financing. We are sure you have had the same, so thought it would be helpful to have a quick overview on what would change if Prop 19 is passed. Knowledge is power!

Prop 19 would impact California homebuyers (and their heirs) in two key ways:

it would eliminate the laws which enable parents to transfer ownership of a home to their children without tax consequences; and

expand rules allowing California residents age 55 or older to transfer the tax value of their home when they purchase a new one

In a nutshell, Prop 19 lets homeowners transfer their tax breaks with them anywhere in California when they sell their home, even if they’re upsizing. They are allowed to do this back to back for a total of 3 moves. 

Why is Prop 19 on the ballot?

Many say the proposition is geared to change the inequities that have stemmed from Proposition 13, which caps property taxes at 1% of the purchase price with an annual increase of 2% or less. When a home is sold, the tax value is calculated to match the sale price. This benefits wealthy property owners and places the greater tax burden on new homebuyers and current renters. 

How would Prop 19 affect tax transfers?

Prop 19 would add and extend certain rights under Proposition 60, which was passed in 1986. Prop 60  allows property owners age 55 or older one chance to purchase a cheaper home in the same county and transfer the tax value of their former home to their new one.

Prop 19 would further extend rights under the previous measure by:

allowing moves anywhere in the state

allowing the purchase of a more expensive home which would increase property taxes, but to an amount lower than what other homebuyers would be taxed; and

increasing the number of times a homeowner can use these special rules from one to three.

No more free inherited properties (if not used as the primary household)

Currently in California, children and grandchildren can inherit a parent or grandparent’s primary residence without the property’s tax assessment resetting to current market value. 

Prop 19 would end the exemption in cases where the child or grandchild does not use the inherited property as their primary residence, but instead uses it as a rental property or second home.

The reason this provision is part of the measure is because past studies, including a report done  by the Los Angeles Times, have found 64% of inherited homes were second residences. Economists in support of Prop 19 posit that the resulting tax break has made the difference of $300 million in tax dollars not allocated to schools, cities, and county governments.

We will keep you up to date on the various propositions and how they impact the mortgage and real estate industries come election day. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about this, or would like to get the loan process started!

#electionday #california #realestate #realestatelaw #prop19 #homeloans #financing #taxbreaks #taxlaws #californiarealestate #homeloan #homepurchase #homes

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As Mortgage Advisors, we get under the microscope to review all of your financials to discover what unique loan options work for you...what I liked to call your unique “Financial DNA.” Just like no human being shares the same DNA (aside from identical twins), no person shares their unique Financial DNA with anyone else. 

When you’re thinking about buying a home, the very first thing you should do is get pre-approved. Without a pre-approval, you are basically taking a shot into the dark for what you can really afford. That’s where we come in: as a mortgage team, we speak to you, gather some initial information and documents, and get under the microscope to discover your financial DNA. 

What makes up your DNA? 

Financial DNA consists of a wide myriad of different factors, which makes your situation as unique as your genetic makeup. Among the many factors, the common ones clients ask us about are: credit, income, assets, and debts. 

Credit: Your credit score is one of the most pivotal things lenders look at when you apply for your mortgage. Your credit score is a reflection of your past credit history, which allows a lender to gauge how responsible you are with your debt management habits. When a lender has more confidence in your credit history, they are basically saying they trust you to pay back your home loan. A higher credit score yields higher confidence in a borrower, which could increase your eligibility for more programs.There are certain major credit events that could prevent prospective homeowners from becoming eligible from purchasing right away. Lenders implement waiting periods for pre-approving someone who has experienced one of these instances. However, we pride ourselves in getting our clients on the path to homeownership. 

Debts: Mortgage Advisors will evaluate your outstanding debt (anything that is financed and on credit: cars, student loans, timeshares, aka things you are obligated to pay on a monthly basis) to figure out how feasible it is for you to comfortably afford to make mortgage payments every month. Having debt is not a deal-breaker.  It is something that is evaluated closely when considering your buying power.

Income: Part of your Financial DNA that helps determine your BUYING POWER is your income. If you’re not rich like a Kardashian, you can still afford a house. It is all relative… money in to money out. Lenders will look at the current and previous 2 years closely when determining what should be your “ Qualifying income. Most homeowners are surprised to find out that lenders use your gross income (ie. if you are W2 employed) when applying for a home Loan. Keep in mind that “qualifying income” will later be determined by an underwriter and they like to see a history of said income for the current and past 2 years to view it as stable unless there is some “ explanation” Behind it. Ie. CONGRATS You just graduated college and got that dream LA JOB at that DREAM Salary in your career path. However, as a self-employed borrower, they use your net income (as an entrepreneur, it takes money to make money!)

Bottom line income (this is your verifiable income -- think paystubs, W2s, filed tax returns, pensions, retirement...and much more)

DEBT TO INCOME:

The better the ratio between the debt and income, the smaller the odds are that you could potentially be unable to pay your mortgage.

Most lenders have a set debt-to-income ratio that they will not go over when determining a borrower’s maximum purchase price. For example: most industry lenders look at 45% to be the standard debt to income ratio.  We understand life happens: people have student loans, medical bills, car notes, and more that add up. What we do, as part of analyzing your financial DNA, is demonstrate how your current debt impacts your current buying power, and get you on the road to homeownership. 

Debt ratio (also referred to as back end, or bottom ratio) is calculated as Primary Housing Expense + Other Debt Payments divided by Gross Monthly Income.

Housing ratio (also referred to as HE, front end, or top ratio) is calculated as Primary Housing Expense divided by Gross Monthly Income.

Assets: Your savings and assets are part of your financial makeup that give lenders confidence in you as a borrower: meaning they believe in your ability to repay the loan. Assets can include money in a savings account, mutual funds, stocks that are being liquidated, proceeds from another home, a family gift, stocks, bonds, and 401K and retirement accounts, real estate, life insurance, and more. We recommend you get your paperwork for these various assets together in a folder, or flash drive to have ready to go so you can get pre-approved as quickly as possible.

Our role in the process is to make your financial DNA look as clear as possible under the Underwriter’s microscope. Our goal is to also find out what makes you UNIQUE. We are ready to be there for you from start to finish, and hope to have you as a client for life!

#mortgage #mortgages #homeloans #homeloan #lender #mortgagelender #sandiegohomeloan #sandiego #realestate #preapproval #loanofficer

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We miss you a latte! One of the best parts about fall are lattes! We wanted to share a few recipes we found that we’re definitely going to try at home. Share your recipes with us by tagging @anitahomeloan @eafunding and @sandiegohomeloan on Instagram! 

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#housingmarket realestate homeloans mortgages sandiego mortgageadvisor