How to Rock Escrows (aka Impounds)!

When you buy your first home, you probably expect that you’ll need to make a mortgage payment every month.  Common sense, right?

But what about your property taxes and homeowners insurance, and PMI, and HOA dues and impounds and escrows, etc.?  Are you just a bit stressed now?

In the short video below, we cover the most important points about your monthly housing payment — what’s in it, how you can pay it, when your payments are applied and who can waive and not waive an escrow account.

If you want to make a “killer” decision about whether or not to have an impound account on your mortgage, take a look on the “bright side” of this topic with me today!

I just can’t look, it’s killing me,

Rob Spinosa
Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS:  22343

415-367-5959 Cell/Text

rob.spinosa@usbank.com

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by U.S Bank and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of U.S Bank.  In no way do I commit U.S Bank to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of U.S Bank‘s Human Resources Department.

The Most Frequently Asked First-Time Homebuyer Questions

I realize it may seem daunting to ask what you feel may be the simple or even, er, “stupid” questions when you are a first-time homebuyer.  But by all means, DO NOT let your “pride” get in the way.

Questions like:

  • What is a pre-approval and how long is it good for?
  • Do I need 20% down?
  • Will applying for a mortgage hurt my credit?
  • Should I shop multiple lenders?
  • What’s the best type of loan to get?
  • When can I lock an interest rate?
  • How much are closing costs?
  • How does my lender get paid?

You’d be surprised to realize how many would love to know these answers and this short, fun video below covers each of them.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?

Rob Spinosa
Mortgage Loan Officer


NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@usbank.com

Marin Office:  700 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 199, Larkspur, CA  94939 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Rock Getting a Mortgage If You’re Self-Employed!!!

Seriously!  Is there anybody who still thinks the self-employed have it easy? You know, like the song says, “they see you havin’ fun just a-lyin’ in the sun?”  Those of us who are self-employed or work with the self-employed know otherwise, and you could argue that owners of businesses, large and small, spend as much or more of their time taking care of business than those getting a paycheck from someone else.  None of this ‘work from home in my pajamas’ stuff for the majority — that’s for sure.

So why does the mortgage industry make it so tough on the self-employed? Some of the reasons can certainly be viewed as valid but others rea just legacy guidelines that really don’t make much sense anymore, but in the this short video we’ll cover:

  1. Who do lenders consider to be self-employed?
  2. What types of business entities apply to the self-employed?
  3. What documentation do the self-employed need when they apply for a loan?

While we can’t spare the business owner some additional work to get a great home loan, we can help them understand and prepare for what the mortgage industry will throw at them.  So, let’s learn how to rock getting a mortgage if you’re self-employed!

Workin’ overtime!

Rob Spinosa
Mortgage Loan Officer


NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@usbank.com

Marin Office:  700 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 199, Larkspur, CA  94939 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Buy a House When You Have Bad Credit

Buy a House with Bad Credit

It can be a real jungle out there if you’re trying to buy a home and get a mortgage, especially when you have bad credit.  But if you’ve got an appetite for instruction, I’m going to show you the ways you can overcome the stress, intimidation and fear of the failure and succeed with the purchase of a home — even if your credit scores and credit history are down and dirty.

In just the time it takes to listen to your favorite tune, let’s learn how to rock buying a home when you have bad credit!

Do you know where you are?

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Get Rid of PMI on Your Mortgage

Want to drop your private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments like a pair of cheap sunglasses?  Don’t know where to start? 

Look, when interest rates were moving lower and property values were moving higher, the headache of canceling PMI took a back seat. And why not? In that climate, homeowners typically just refinanced and both dropped PMI and got a lower rate.

But when interest rates move higher and home values flatten or even go lower, many owners strive to preserve their great mortgage rates and focus on getting rid of that extra monthly insurance payment through cancellation.  

Whether borrower-requested, lender-required or value driven, let’s rock all the ways you can eliminate PMI!

Have mercy!

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

Does Shopping for a Mortgage Hurt Your Credit?

Everybody who makes the leap into buying a home, especially first-time homebuyers, and even those who already own a home and are looking to improve their mortgage must eventually confront the pre-approval process.  That means a mortgage application and a credit inquiry, also known as a hard credit pull.

Would it surprise you to know that this is a MAJOR stopping point for some? Even before they really even started.  And the reason is because many have become conditioned to think that even a single credit inquiry will send their perfect FICO scores into a free fall.  Let alone the multiple credit inquires that sometimes accompany shopping for the best mortgage rates and terms.

So let’s not back down and let’s have some rockin’ fun with how credit inquiries and mortgages really work.

Runnin’ down a dream,

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Rock the 2023 Conforming Loan Limits!!!

I ain’t foolin’!

Even though there’s been a whole lotta interest rate hikes in 2022.  And even though there’s been a whole lotta rumbling about home values declining in some areas, the FHFA will again be increasing the conforming loan limits into 2023.

This means that where the one-unit conforming limit was $647,200 in 2022, it will become $726,200 in 2023.

And in high-cost (aka high balance) metropolitan statistical areas like much of CA, NY and other housing-expensive counties, you may see the conforming limit go from $970,800 all the way up to $1,089,300.

Note that FHA and VA loan limits fall outside of this change, so if you need to know the specific loan maximums for any program, in any area, just get in touch!

Been a long time!

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Rock a Low House Appraisal Value!!!

You found the perfect home…

And the seller accepted your offer…

And your mortgage application is underway…

Until your appraisal comes in low.  What now???

Never mind all the bad advice that swirls around this dilemma.  There are a handful of effective ways to deal with an appraisal value that comes in under your offer price, so if you find yourself in this stressful situation today, get in touch.  Or perhaps you’re a Realtor or buyer looking to better understand all of the tactics and tips that you can use to negotiate a low appraisal in today’s challenging real estate market.  If so, come as you are and let’s learn how to rock a low appraisal value today. 

Smells like teen spirit,

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Rock an FHA Home Loan!!!

Are FHA loans just for first time home buyers?  

Is an FHA mortgage the best choice if you have bad credit?

What if you have a low down payment, or even no down payment from your own savings?

If you’re ready to quit renting right here and right now, let’s learn how to rock an FHA home loan:

Watching the world wake up,

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.

How to Rock a 10% Down Payment!!!

Why go home to your grungy apartment when you can buy your first home instead?  Oh, what’s that?  Haven’t saved the full 20% down payment?  Live in a part of the country where home prices and loan sizes easily outpace the capacity of conforming, FHA and even VA loans?

Let’s learn how to rock the best of the 10% down jumbo mortgage options, some without PMI, and jam on why with a changing real estate market, you may be in luck with half the down payment you thought it might otherwise take. 

Jeremy’s spoken,

Rob Spinosa
SVP of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.