Latest Articles

Appraisal Conditions that Determine the value

Residential appraisal conditions are the factors that are taken into consideration when determining the value of a residential property. Appraisers use a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to determine the worth of a property, including its location, condition, size, and amenities. Location, location, location One of the most important factors in a residential appraisal […]

Home Warranty – What’s covered

New homeowners usually get a home warranty. Often it’s purchased by the seller, their gift to you in case something breaks. If the seller wasn’t so generous, purchasing a home warranty can be a wise investment to insure against costly repairs. What a home warranty typically covers: Refrigerator HVAC System Washer Dryer Stove Hot Water […]

What is a non-QM Loan?

The “QM” in Non-QM Loan First, it helps to know what the “QM” stands for in “Non-QM Loan.”  Let’s start with what is a Qualified Mortgage (QM) loan as defined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  The CFPB provides more protection to banks and mortgage companies for mortgage loans falling under the Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage […]

Minimum Down Payment for Buyers

When buying a home, the down payment is the initial cash contribution applied to the purchase price.  This amount is typically reflected as a percentage of the purchase price.  For example, $15,000 for a $300,000 purchase would be a down payment of 5%.  The remaining $285,000 is typically the amount financed with a home mortgage […]

A Guide to Seller Concessions

Seller concessions are growing in popularity as we move to a balanced housing market. Sellers saw buyers paying $10,000 over list price a few months ago to seeing a median price reduction last week of $10,100. What might be more surprising is only 15.9% of active listings in Phoenix, AZ had price reductions. However, 44.5% […]

Important Things to Remember When Moving

If you found yourself reading this, you’re probably moving. Before you do, here are some important things to remember when moving. Changing your Address When you move, you are responsible for handling the change of your address on all of your accounts and documentation.  The first thing to do is to let the U.S. Postal […]

Divorce and qualifying income for a new mortgage

Determining qualifying income is Part 4 of E5’s Divorce Mortgage Guidance series. Regardless of the spouse, qualifying for a new mortgage requires consistent and ongoing income that can be verified. For a purchase, the source of the down payment funds also needs verification. We review various scenarios and pitfalls. Qualifying Income To calculate income, lenders […]