Two Things You Need During the Homebuying Process: A Solid Spouse and a Reliable Real Estate Agent

As I sit on my desk pondering on what to blog about this Friday morning of October 11, I find myself suffering from a writer’s block. No ideas, no concepts, no subject matter, hence, no words.

I am amidst a home-buying and home-selling situation and with two young children, an eight-to-five job, and house chores, I am drained.

I am learning though that there are two things good to have when you’re amidst a homebuying process—a supportive and positive spouse and reliable real estate and loan agents.

First you need the solid support of your partner to bounce off thoughts and weigh pros and cons when considering a property that may end up being your lifelong home. I usually decide with my heart and thankfully, my husband is practical and mathematical. Plus when I get so engrossed on checking my MLS link (Multiple Listing Service is a resource sent to you by your real estate agent to communicate prospective properties), there is a partner who remembers to prepare milk for the baby.

Second, you need to have a reliable real estate agent who looks out for your needs, not his. Ours is Rodman Amiri of Merit Real Estate who knows our budgets, knows our needs, and knows our tastes by heart (including our eldest daughter’s, Jamie, who longs for yard space for a jumper on her birthdays.) He makes sure that the areas we vie for are conducive to raising a family. He anticipates our future plans (I told you how he knows these by heart) and makes sure the homes we look at have room to grow into. Finally, he looks out for the price. He studies the comparables—list of surrounding homes with the same specifications in a particular neighborhood—and all other real estate factors that allow us to make the right offers and not overbid. He disregards a property if it is not suited for us even if it may mean earning him a bigger commission. He wants our mortgage payments to be comfortable for us to keep the house for the long-term. Lastly, I cannot thank him enough for his patience and perseverance. For all of my family’s collective desires in finding a house, and selling our current one, he always meets those needs. And I say always.

Finally, you have to have a stable financing company behind you. Redondo Mortgage Center (RMC) has been around South Bay for nearly 25 years. It is good to have a solid pre-qualification on hand before you even start shopping for a home. RMC will guide you through the process and ensure that you are qualified to make an offer.

I will not say that homebuying is completely stress-free. Particularly if you are hormonal like me. But with partners alongside you who make the process adventures as opposed to arduous, there is a lot to look forward to than stress about. It is certainly comforting to have a partner who can put you in a realistic perspective and a real estate agent who remembers that a yard needs to be big enough for a bouncer.

I guess I no longer have a writer’s block J

-MMG

"I Want to Make Sure Buying This Home Works for Me"

Don't we all?

We often get excited about a house or a certain space in it that we tend to overlook the use of space. Will it fit furniture we currently have? Or will we need to furnish it more? Will the size be sufficient for our needs?

It's always good to take measurements and assess how you will lay-out your existing furniture and appliances. One thing you could do is also draw in your existing furniture on a photograph of that space so you can see if that works for you.

This photo is a sample of what you can do to envision the use and capacity of a specific space. One of our clients was considering this home and wanted to be able to imagine if their existing furniture and decorative items will suit the space in this prospective property.

All the furnishings that they incorporated in this lay-out are pieces they already have in their existing home. By super-imposing the pieces on the open space, they were able to envision and see that the new space works for them hence they made an offer on the property.

If you have a space and would like us to help you envision if it works for you, write to info@redondomortgae.com and we can try to help virtually furnish a space. Beyond this, we can also pre-qualify you to purchase that specific home so when you find that the space works, your financing is already in place :)

Frank & Brady's Joint Birthday Bash

Happy Birthday to our Dearest Frank Emami, property manager, and Sr. Loan Processor Brady Benham.

The best is yet to come!

Sincerely,
Your RMC family

Make your Golden Years Count

If you're 62 years or older and have at least 35% equity in your home, you may want to consider the benefits of a reverse mortgage. Call Redondo Mortgage Center now to learn more about the program: 310-318-8999

Who qualifies for reverse mortgage?

Homeowners should be 62 years of age or older and have 35% or more equity on their homes

What type of property is eligible for reverse mortgage?

Single family or a 1-4 unit home, HUD-approved condominiums and townhomes that meet FHA requirements and are occupied by the borrower

How is it done?

It is fast, easy, and efficient. The only thing you need to do is to go through one session of consultation and have the appraisal done on your property

Why should I get a Reverse Mortgage?

To finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses – you may want to consider a reverse mortgage. It’s a product that allows you to convert part of the equity in your home into cash without having to sell your home or pay additional monthly bills

Why RMC is Your “Good” Broker

Ruth McClelland, COO and Head of the processing department for RMC recently read an article on What Makes a Good Mortgage Broker from a website called The Mortgage Professor. It gave tips and hints on how to know if your mortgage officer is qualified and keeps your best interest in mind.

Following are some of the points I find worth sharing:

·        “ Poor brokers constantly solicit, while good brokers enjoy referrals from previous customers and realtors”

·        “Good brokers are financial planners”

·        “Good brokers are good listeners. A good sign: Before your mortgage officer offers any opinions, he or she quizzes you about your financial status and plans”

·        “A good broker will not quote low-ball prices”

·        “Good brokers can communicate effectively with borrowers”

Why RMC falls under the “good mortgage broker”:

·        90% of RMC’s clients are repeat clients or referrals

·        Our loan officers are highly knowledgeable (with Bachelor’s and some, Master’s Degrees) and experienced. They will always present you with a proposal indicating the options best suited for your needs

·        None of RMC’s officer will quote you a price, rate, payment or interest without a full documentation of your income, assets, liabilities, credit score, etc.

·        RMC officers know that low pricing is not always accompanied by the appropriate program beneficial to a specific borrower. What RMC guarantees is a customized financial loan scenario that is to the advantage of its clients, long-term

·        The Mortgage Professor says “poor brokers frequently slip into trade jargon…and are insensitive to the client’s lack of comprehension” at RMC we explain details in conversational English. We have a corporate communications department that ensures only understandable and appropriate literature is circulated among clients and that all officers are able to translate these so-called jargons into layman’s terms

SOURCE: http://www.mtgprofessor.com/

Our Story on Our Anniversary

Cinco de Mayo coincides with Redondo Mortgage Center’s anniversary.

RMC marks this milestone year by looking back on the ideals and principles that established the compnay. The RMC tradition of excellence and integrity is founded on one pioneer, Amir H. Amiri. Aided by some of the best management talents and dynamic agents in the South Bay, RMC has become among the most trusted mortgage companies in its service area, including a multitude of Hispanic clientele.

From a fledgling company in 1989, it has evolved into a respected and stable financing company in Redondo Beach—sought after for its professionalism and excellent customer service.

As broker and president, Amir’s extensive experience in the financial arena paved the way for RMC’s continued growth and success—not an overnight feat.  “I was renting a small office space in the same building where we currently hold office.” Amir recalls fondly. “I had to come in very early everyday so I can accomplish all the documents I had to type. Back then, computers were scarce and mistakes you make on the typewriter means you had to start over from the beginning!” Amir continues laughing.

Shortly after, Amir started having loan clients. Then loan closings. Then these clients referred their friends. Then these friends referred their families, and so on. Not only that, those primary clients of Amir kept coming back to him to refinance, to buy a new home, or upgrade to another. The experience of working with Amir “has been great!” written on a note from Amy Boylan of Redondo Beach. “I thank him for his and his staff’s help with the new house and all the other houses.”

Through the ups and downs of the market, Amir’s strategic thinking and prudence has always cushioned the company. RMC has always been fortunate to sustain its operations. “It is in these times that we become innovative and persevering. Moreso, this is the time when customers seek reliable companies whom they can count on. And this is when we rely on our integrity to carry us through.” Amir speaks of the steady flow of customers they service whether the industry is up or down.

“If there’s one thing that RMC capitalizes on, that would be credibility.” Shares Mara Gaborro, Corporate Communications Head and with RMC for nearly 10 years. “In all of our transactions, we have always been upfront and honest with our clients. We educate them and take time to explain how the process works and what the real situation is. We go beyond sales. We assist in rebuilding their credit, mapping out a financial plan for their future, and even keep in touch with them long after their first dealing with us.”

As Redondo Mortgage Center celebrates another year, it can only attribute its success to its clients who have been instrumental in sustaining the flow of its business. Their patronage and referrals are the reasons why Amir and the entire RMC team build their ideals on the values and principles of excellent customer service.

Why You Should Consider Buying a Home Now

California Home Prices Continue to Climb

According to an article published on Yahoo News on February 14, 2013 homes sold in California are up 2.7 percent in January compared to the same period last year. the main source of the findings, DataQuick, reported that there were 28, 871 houses and condominiums sold in January.

If you hold off on purchasing a property, 

prices may soar to amounts 

beyond what you can afford right now.

Mortgage is Low and Stable
The article reports that indicators of market distress are declining. It added that “Foreclosre activity is low and remains well below peak levels reached several year ago. Financing with multiple motgage is low, sizes are stable.”

Take advantage of this buyer’s market 

while rates are low 

and you are able to secure a mortgage 

before the rates start to climb back up.

Property Prices are Up Nearly 23%
“The median price paid for a home was $290,000, up nearly 23% from January of 2012.” SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com/california-home-prices-sales-january-210257108.html

If you buy your home now, chances are, 

the value of your property will ascend 

along the makrket values 

as it coninues to steadily increase. 

You may be gaining equity on your investment, 

sooner than you think.

Foreclosure and Short Sale Sales are Down
Another good market indicator of the improving real estate scenario. Based on the report, “foreclosed homes accounted for fewer than a fifth of home sales.”

Demand is high and supply is low

and your options for buying a home 

that fits your nneds, in your desired area, 

may be dwindling. 

Call now & Get started on your Pre-Qualification Before it’s too late!