George L. Duarte

Mortgage Loans Fremont California Horizon Financial Associates

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Awards
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Notice
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Reverse Mortgage Library
  • Resources
    • Real Estate Corner Radio Show
    • VA Loans
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • Closing Costs
    • Loan Programs
    • Living Trusts
  • Reviews
    • Video Testimonials
    • Reviews
    • Write a Review
  • Apply Now
  • Contact
Block
Horizon Financial Associates

We are a full-service mortgage brokerage serving the San Francisco East Bay Area in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We are pleased to be your comprehensive source for all of your home financing needs – from a first home, to investment property, construction loans, cash out refinances, equity lines of credit and reverse mortgages.

home
Home Purchase
Interested in purchasing a new home?
checklist_2-green
Home Refinance
Interested in purchasing a new home?
chatbubble
Check Out Our Radio Show!
The Real Estate Corner Show
Apply
Apply Now
Ready to get started? Click here!

Non-QM Home Loans: How Do They Work?

September 21, 2022 by George Duarte

Non-QM Home Loans: How Do They Work?There are a lot of people who dream of owning a home one day, but few people have the cash to purchase a home outright. Therefore, you will probably need to take out a loan to buy a house; however, what happens if you cannot qualify for a loan with the traditional loan requirements? If you are not a W2 employee, you may need to go with a Non-QM loan. What do you need to know?

What Is A Non-QM Loan?

A Non-QM loan is a non-qualified mortgage. What this means is that you do not meet the standard requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Some of the factors that you need to meet to qualify for a traditional mortgage include meeting the necessary income requirements, having pay stubs, having a debt-to-income ratio that satisfies the lender’s requirements, and taking out a mortgage that is 30 years or less. Your fees also cannot be more than 3 percent of the value of the loan. There is a common misconception that having a Non-QM loan is bad, but that is not the case. Everyone is in a different employment situation, and a Non-QM loan could be the right move for some people. 

Why Take Out A Non-QM Loan?

There are a few reasons why you should consider taking out a Non-QM loan. First, they require less documentation than other mortgages, so you might not need to produce W2s or employment verification to qualify for a loan. You also may not have to meet strict credit score requirements. If your credit score is not the best, you can still take out a home loan with a Non-QM option.

Who Should Get A Non-QM Loan?

There are many people who should consider taking out a Non-QM loan. If you plan on applying for a home loan without proof of income, this might be the right option. Furthermore, if you are a freelancer, or if you are not a W-2 employee, this could be a solid choice. There are plenty of people who could benefit from this loan, and it is important to work with a professional who can help you.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: 1099 Employment, Mortgage, Non-QM Loan

Ready to Buy Your First Home? Don’t Forget to Check Your Credit Score – Here’s Why

September 20, 2022 by George Duarte

Ready to Buy Your First Home? Don't Forget to Check Your Credit Score – Here's WhyWhether you’re just out of college, recently married or simply haven’t jumped into the market yet, buying your first home is an exciting prospect. It can also be an expensive one, which is why most people will take out a mortgage to help finance the cost.

If you are planning on engaging with a mortgage lender, you’ll need to have your finances in order. In today’s post, we’ll share a few key reasons why you’ll want to check your credit score well in advance of buying your first home.

Your Credit Score Is A Signal For Lenders

As you know, mortgage lenders have a responsibility to lend to those individuals and families who are at a low risk of default. So when a mortgage lender starts to dig into your financial background, they are looking at your credit history and credit score to help them assess that risk.

Note that having a low score doesn’t necessarily mean you have bad credit. If you’re still in your 20s and have only had a credit card, your score might be low even though you are fully capable of managing a mortgage.

Your Score Impacts Your Mortgage Interest Rate

As mentioned above, your credit score helps to signify your risk. If your credit score is in a lower range, perhaps a 640 or 660, you’re presenting a greater risk than someone with a score of 760 or 800. Because of this, the interest rate that you pay on your mortgage will in part be determined by your credit score. Those individuals who present a higher risk pay a higher rate to compensate. And vice versa, if your credit is spotless you can expect to pay a lower interest rate.

You’ll Need Time To Challenge Any Issues

Finally, you’ll need to give yourself some lead time to challenge any irregularities with your credit report. The credit reporting agencies aren’t perfect and they do make mistakes. There may be some old, retired credit card or other debt sitting on your report which is holding the score down. Even worse, there may be some incorrect delinquency or other error which ends up as a big red flag for potential mortgage lenders.

As you can see, it’s worth spending the time to check your credit score. You get to check it for free once per year, so take advantage of the opportunity. And when you’re ready to discuss buying your first home, contact your trusted mortgage professional. We’ll share how to navigate the credit score and mortgage process so you can land the home of your dreams.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Buying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Tips

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Sidebar

George L. Duarte

MBA, CMC, CMHS
Call 510.377.9059
Fremont, CA

California DRE Corp Lic no. 01032295
DRE Personal Brokers Lic. No. 00943635
NMLS Corporate Lic. No. 302358
Personal Lic. No. 302219

Horizon Financial Associates LogoView Lending CertificateNAMB Member Certificate

Get a Rate Quote
Mortgage Refinance Companies
NAMB
Proud Supporter Of Our Military
CMC Logo

Stay up to date with the latest news to your inbox!

No spam ever and you can unsubscribe anytime.





Horizon Financial Associates BBB Business Review

Connect with Me

Browse Articles by Category

Mortgage Pros2019 Best of Fremont2017 Best of Fremont2016 Best of Fremont

See More Awards →

Recent Articles

  • Millennials and the Pursuit of Homeownership
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 29th, 2024
  • Are You Ready for Home Ownership? Find Out by Answering These 4 Questions
  • Maximizing Your Mortgage: Unveiling Strategies for Faster Payoff and Interest Savings
Horizon Financial Associates is a BBB Accredited Mortgage Broker in Fremont, CA
Equal Housing Opp
crb logo REALTOR Logo


39488 Stevenson Pl Ste. 100
Fremont, CA 94539

Copyright © 2026 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2026 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in