George L. Duarte

Mortgage Loans Fremont California Horizon Financial Associates

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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.

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Exploring Multigenerational Homes: They Are Becoming More Common

April 8, 2022 by George Duarte

Exploring Multigenerational Homes: They Are Becoming More CommonPurchasing a house is expensive. Not everyone has the money to put down 20 percent. One of the ways to make it easier to afford a house is to live in a home with multiple generations. Some people decide to move back in with their parents because they might have a difficult time affording a mortgage and student loans. Some parents move in with their children because they have health-related issues that need to be addressed. Now, multi-generational homes are becoming more common.

An Overview Of Multigenerational Homes

First, it is important to define a multigenerational home. This is a home that has two or more generations of adults living in the same building. Parents raising children does not qualify as a multi-generational home; however, if you add grandparents to the mix, now this is a multi-generational home. It is important to take a closer look at some of the reasons why people are living in multigenerational homes. 

The Benefits Of This Lifestyle

There are a number of significant benefits that come with living in a multi-generational home. Of course, it improves the financial situation because there are multiple incomes being put toward homeownership expenses. There are a variety of other benefits as well. For example, living in a multi-generational home improves bonds with family members and makes it easier to care for individuals with health problems. This also makes it easier to help kids go through school, and it can have a positive impact on mental and physical health. 

The House Should Be Larger To Accommodate Everyone

Because there are more adults living under a single roof, it is important to make sure the house is large enough. Everyone deserves to have some level of privacy, and this might mean the house has to have more bedrooms and bathrooms. It might also be helpful to have a basement or a mother-in-law suite.

Consider Multigenerational Homes

In the end, these are just a few of the numerous benefits and considerations people need to think about if they are considering living in a multi-generational home. If you are looking for a way to make the cost of a home more affordable, this could be right for you as well. 

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Lifestyles, Mortgage, Multi Generation

How To Qualify for Refinancing a House

April 7, 2022 by George Duarte

How To Qualify for Refinancing a HouseIf you want to save money on your mortgage, now might be a great time to refinance. When you refinance your home loan, you replace the existing mortgage with a different one. You can refinance your home to withdraw cash, shorten the term of the loan, or reduce your interest rate. Not everyone can refinance the house, so take a look at a few key rules you need to follow to qualify for a refinance.

Have A Mortgage In Solid Standing

First, your mortgage must be in solid standing with your lender. If you are behind on your mortgage payments, the lender might not let you refinance. Try to stay on top of your monthly mortgage payments. As long as you haven’t owed any late fees or missed any payments entirely, your lender should consider letting you refinance your existing home loan.

Have Enough Equity In Your Home

You also need to have enough equity in your home. A lot of first time homebuyers my only put 3.5 percent down on their house. Even though this makes buying a house more affordable, it does not necessarily mean there’s enough equity for a refinance. If you have 20 percent equity or more in your home, your lender might allow you to refinance. Every lender is different, so be sure to talk to a loan officer about their specific requirements.

Have A High Credit Score

When you go through the refinance process, you are applying for another home loan. Therefore, the traditional rules will still apply. Your credit score must be high enough to qualify for a refinance. You can improve your credit score by collecting and accuracies on your credit report, paying your bills on time, and controlling your debt to income ratio. If you have a solid credit score, your lender should allow you to go through the refinancing process. Remember that you can check your credit score for free once per year.

Refinance And Save Money

These are the basic rules you need to follow if you want to refinance your home loan. Refinancing your home loan can help you save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. You might even pay off your mortgage more quickly.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Mortgage, Mortgage Interest Rate, Refinance

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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

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