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The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of Marble Countertops

November 7, 2018

The Good The Bad And The Ugly Of Marble Countertops

When building or remodeling, owners are faced with a myriad of confusing choices, not the least of which is what material to use for their kitchen counters.  Among the many preferred options are: granite, solid surface material, butcher block, concrete, and marble, specifically Carrara marble.

Marble is gorgeous both from a distance and up close, but unless you are familiar with and ready to maintain it, it also has some drawbacks.  Let’s examine a few:

  1. It won’t stay pristine for long:  Marble is easily scratched and stained.  You can’t chop vegetables directly on it as acidic liquids will stain the surface permanently.  Marble is more porous than natural stones or solid concrete.
  2. It can be seriously tricky to clean:  Acidic liquids of any kind, including organic cleaning products, are bad for marble.  Cleaning requires a special kind of cleaner which can cost at least $10 for 16 ounces.
  3. It requires extra work to protect it:  A seal can help protect your countertops, but it requires regular maintenance.  The recommended resealing process is every 3 – 6 months to maintain the luster and prevent staining.
  4. It can be bad for resale:  In five to ten years this product is likely to look very different and be less appealing to a prospective buyer than any other stones, which may age better with less maintenance.

Some lifestyles present additional reasons to resist the urge to install marble, for instance:   if you use the kitchen heavily, if you have children who will be eating or playing on the surface, or if you don’t have the interest/time for the maintenance it requires.

If you are a fan of HGTV shows, you would think that Carrara is the “go-to” for every project, and they do look beautiful when they are first installed.  What you don’t get a chance to view is what Carrara looks like after the family has lived in the house for any length of time. With all the other options out there, maybe foregoing Carrara isn’t such a difficult decision.

The moral of this article is: Study up on your preferred material for countertops before you buy them. You want to make sure you’ll be happy with it for years to come, as it is your home!

If you’re doing renovations or interested in alternative financing for your home or rental, call us today (707) 523-2099!

To Buy or Not To Buy?: That is the Question

November 1, 2018

To Buy Or Not To Buy?: That Is The Question

Although not as existential as Hamlet’s query, this is a life changing decision facing many Californians today. Ultimately, the answer depends on several real-life factors: your finances, your long-term plans and the real estate market in your area.  Some of the questions you might want to ask include:

  • What can you afford?
  • How much do you have for a down payment?
  • How long do you plan to stay in the house?
  • Are you looking for stability or flexibility?
  • Do you want to be responsible for maintenance and repairs?
  • What are your financial, career and family goals?

Of course, the other choice you have is to continue renting.  A wise next step in your decision-making will include a Pros & Cons List of renting vs. buying.  It can look something like this:

Pro Buying:

  • Builds equity and credit
  • More stability (especially with schools)
  • Some tax benefits
  • Can “nest”, improving or upgrading to your tastes
  • Social benefits of a stable neighborhood

Con Buying:

  • Requires substantial money, paperwork upfront
  • Additional expenses beyond mortgage payment
  • Responsible for repairs and maintenance
  • Moving costs

Pro Renting:

  • Fewer upfront costs
  • Mobility
  • Not responsible for maintenance/repairs
  • No property tax bills

Con Renting:

  • Landlord can raise rent or sell the property
  • Choices may be limited
  • Might mean moving several times
  • Don’t build equity
  • No tax benefits

To summarize:  Homes typically increase in value (approximately 7.2% in California in 2017) thereby increasing your retirement fund, whereas, every penny spent on rent is gone forever.  Your homeowner costs are more predictable and stable than renters’ expenses, since a landlord can raise your rent in accordance with the rent control laws in your city every year.  If you own a portion of your mortgage, interest and property tax is deductible. There may be a small renters’ deduction if you rent.

To help evaluate your choices regarding buying/renting there is a helpful calculator available on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator/  

When you reach the decision to buy, but find you do not qualify for a conventional loan, you need a fast loan or stronger offer over others, Sun Pacific Mortgage will be here to help you achieve your dream!  We have unique alternative financing options through our Hard Money lending programs.

Call us at 707-523-2099!

Strange & Scary Loans Don’t Frighten Us!

October 31, 2018

Strange Scary Loans Don’t Frighten Us

“I would like to buy a particular house, but it needs fixing.  I haven’t been able to get loan approval despite numerous attempts elsewhere – I think the condition has scared everyone away.  Can you help me with a Hard Money loan?” This was the question posed to us a few weeks ago, by a Flipper in San Mateo.

Strange and scary property conditions are not an issue for our programs, so we weren’t frightened off.  We got right to work and had his loan scenario approved within 48 hours!

He got a business-purpose refinance using another one of his properties.  This gave him the $400,000 loan he needed and in less than 3 weeks, he had new house keys in hand!

Don’t let a strange loan scenario scare you off. Call us at 707-523-2099 to find out how we can get that loan approved!

We Are Dying To Get Your Loan Done FAST!

October 25, 2018

Were Dying To Get Your Loan Funded Fast

The average time for cash-in-hand with our Hard Money loans is 16 days.  Read below to see some examples of recently funded loans through our office – all done fast!

Many Realtors and other Brokers come to us, so they can help get their Home Buyers and Borrowers the needed financing quickly.  Such speed allows for stronger purchase offers with short loan contingencies; Borrowers can rapidly refinance, do their debt consolidation, fix up their property and more.

Call Today at (707) 523-2099 to find out just how fast we can get your scenario done!

Recently Funded!

We Finance Single Family Houses, Condos, Principal Residences

+ Multi-Family Units, Commercial & Office

$1,750,000 – Saint Helena, Napa County
Business Purpose Refinance
63% Loan to value
7 Days to Fund!

$453,000 – Cotati, Sonoma County
Temporary Purchase Loan
63% Loan to value
13 Days to Fund!

$2,339,000 – Coto De Caza, Orange County
Temporary Refinance
50% Loan to value
8 Days to Fund!

$335,000 – Rohnert Park, Sonoma County
Temporary Refinance
65% Loan to value
15 Days to Fund!

Investment Property/Non-Owner-Occupied Loans

October 23, 2018

Investment Property Non Owner Occupied Loans

Looking for ways to protect their financial security, many homeowners are investing their money in second homes, or are refinancing existing loans on rental property to upgrade them.   Whether they are looking for another source of income, or they need to improve their existing rental property, they recognize that real estate has proven to be a profitable and long-term financial shelter.  

But what if you do not qualify for a conventional loan from a bank or other lending institution?  All is not lost…that is where a Hard Money Home Loan can provide the answer.

What do you need for a hard money loan from Sun Pacific Mortgage?  There are two main qualifications for a rental property loan:

  1. Equity or a decent down payment
  2. An ability to repay the loan

What are some other characteristics of an investment property loan with us?

  1. California real estate only
  2. We go up to $2 million+ loan size
  3. FICO score is not a factor
  4. Up to 70% LTV (loan-to-value)
  5. Fast funding

In the 30 years we have been in business, we have financed multitudes of investment property loans for a variety of issues:  Needed fast funding, discharged bankruptcies, more than one foreclosure, and less than pristine property. We make it our business to offer a second chance to earnest and honest borrowers.  

Start on your journey to financial independence by investigating the possibility of a hard money loan on rental property with Sun Pacific Mortgage.  We welcome all questions and scenarios to help inform you of “The Possible”.

Call us at 707-523-2099!

Why Invest in Non-Owner-Occupied Home Loans

October 16, 2018

Why Invest In Non Owner Occupied Home Loans

We have all heard the horror stories related to Non-Owner-Occupied investment properties, and have thought to ourselves, “Is the headache really worth it?”  Some would say the financial gains outweigh the grief. But what if you could have all the financial benefits and virtually none of the problems? Sound too good to be true?  

This is one time when that question does not need to be asked, because Trust Deed investments offer a lucrative option allowing you to invest in property with little to no blood, sweat or tears on your part.

At Sun Pacific Mortgage we do all the initial behind-the-scenes work for you, and a servicing company can handle all the work required after the signing, e.g. collecting payments and paying taxes.  This becomes the best of all worlds: you get a check each month, and you don’t get those annoying middle-of-the night phone calls.

With interest rates on non-owner-occupied hard money home loans ranging from 10%-13%, you can grow your investment at a much faster rate than almost any other speculative venture.  

If this sounds like an opportunity to build your retirement portfolio, give us a call at 707-523-2099 to discuss how Sun Pacific Mortgage can help you get started.

Is That Turned-Down Loan Making You Crazy?

October 11, 2018

That Declined Loan Driving You Crazy Or Going Crazy Because Of A Turn Downed Loan

After 30 years of offering alternative financing for real estate throughout California, we can safely say we have experienced almost every scenario and are experts in this field.Let us help make things less crazy by getting that loan approved with one of our Hard Money programs!

Make things less crazy with the loan(s) you are trying to get approved: Call Us Today at 707-523-2099 or respond to this email with questions or specifics and we’ll let you know how we can help.

Best, Broker & Broker – The Guys in the White Hats

 

Recently Funded

We Offer Fast Financing For: Single Family Houses, Condos

+ Multi-Family Units and Offices.

$820,000 – Sebastopol, Sonoma County
Temporary Refinance
69% Loan to value
15 Days to Fund!

$1,000,000 – Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County
Temporary Refinance
62% Loan to value
9 Days to Fund!

$1,250,000 – San Juan Capistrano, Orange County
Temporary Refinance
43% Loan to value
12 Days to Fund!

$450,000 – Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara County
Business Purpose Refinance
21% Loan to value
14 Days to Fund!

Why Should I Sell My Home This Fall?

October 9, 2018

Autumn Home For Sale

There are probably a myriad of reasons to sell this Fall, but let’s look at just a few:

For starters, Buyer demand is still strong.  While the mad, competitive scene has waned (thankfully!), last month listings averaged only 29 days on the market according to NAR.  Although the housing inventory is still less than 6 months (which is considered “normal”), it appears that we are slowly moving toward normalcy in the real estate market. This means we will no longer be in a buyers’ market (like 2007-Feb.2012) or a sellers’ market (like Mar.2012-present).  The experts see the housing market returning to a healthier state for seller and buyer by the end of next year.

What about pricing?  According to Core Logic, housing prices are expected to rise 5.1% next year.  As a result, if you wait, you will end up paying more for a down payment, and your mortgage payments may likely increase.   Because of the persistent inventory shortage, prices should continue to rise to above-normal levels for the next year. On the bright side, both existing and new construction permits have increased over the past two months, and these factors will help make a more balanced market in the future.

If you do not qualify for a conventional loan this Fall, Sun Pacific Mortgage is here with a lending program for you.  Whether you need a bridge loan to help with a new purchase before your present home sells, or you just want a hard money 1st, we will find a satisfactory solution for you.  Give us a call at 707-523-2099 and see what we can do for you!

We’ll Stand Behind You Every Step Of The Way On That Big Loan!

October 4, 2018

Well Stand Behind You Every Step Of The Way On That Big Loan

“I have a client who needs a jumbo loan super-fast. Can you help?”.  This was the question we got from a Mortgage Broker about one of his Borrowers who was trying to rapidly refinance.

This Borrower had just 10 days to close on the Orange County property he wanted to buy, requiring a temporary refinance of another one of his properties he owned outright, so that he could get his needed loan of $2.4 million.

The size of loan and speed was not a problem for our Hard Money loan programs!  We stood behind this Broker and Borrower each step of the way and within 8 days he had his jumbo loan in hand!

Call today at 707-523-2099 so we can help you get that big loan done, FAST.

Best, Broker & Broker – The Guys in the White Hats

Big Loans Have You Confused & Bewildered?

September 21, 2018

Let Us Help Get That Big Loan Done Fast!

Brokerhulk A Mortgage Broker In Southern California Called Us With An Opportunity He Was Not Able To Do:

A Mortgage Broker in Southern California called us with an opportunity he was not able to do:

A bridge loan for $850,000 at 65% loan to value.  His Borrower was self-employed with difficult to prove income, thus having difficulty with loan approval within the time frame required by the Seller.  This was not a challenge for our hard money bridge loan program!

We often receive calls from other Brokers and lenders, who, for one reason or another, cannot get their underwriters to approve a loan scenario for their Borrower.  Being in business for over 30 years now, we are expert at Hard Money loans and consistently get fast approvals and fast funding.

Many of our loans get done in less than 1 week! Call today at 707-523-2099 so we can help you get that big loan done, FAST.

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