Helpful Resources

Buying a house is generally the biggest investment that the average person will make in his or her life. Following are some important things to consider when purchasing a home.

Should I Buy A Home?

In addition to providing you with a place to live, owning a home can provide you with a possible investment for many reasons including potential equity growth, the stability that comes with having ownership in a community, and possible tax advantages.

Renting might make more sense for a mobile lifestyle or if you may need to move because of a job change or other factors. If you do not foresee staying in your home for several years, the amount of equity that you build up over the first year or two may be lost through selling costs and real estate commissions.


Can I Afford to Buy A Home?

Normally, you need to have enough savings to cover a down payment of 5% to 20% of the purchase price plus an additional 3% to 7% of this price for closing costs. If you do not have the down payment, you may be able to qualify for a loan under various government programs that are available.

Before you begin looking for a home decide what you want and can afford. Various factors are considered when a lender qualifies a purchaser for a home purchase including credit history, job stability and the size of the down payment. Prior to shopping for a home, you may wish to Contact Us to determine the loan you can afford. For more information on the mortgage market and loan process, you may also call us toll free:

1-800-811-9248

Use our Pre-Qualification Calculator to determine what you can afford and how much you can borrow.

 

 

Owning your own home has several advantages besides the obvious satisfaction you get from home ownership. You can build equity and enjoy tax deductions, and the quality of your life is greatly improved.

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a renter, or you are purchasing a new or second home, we have an assortment of tools and loan programs to meet your individual financing needs. Use our easy-to-navigate site, or contact us directly by phone or by pre-qualifying online.

We can help you realize your homeownership dreams by offering you all the best advantages:

Downloadable PDF Useful Docs
provided by: CA Department of Real Estate

The Home Buyer's Workbook
     (19.1 MB, 56 pages)

The Homer Buyer Trainer's Manual
     (392 KB, 29 pages)

Real Estate Finance
    (378 KB, 52 pages)

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