If you are looking to buy a home, you probably know that prices are very high. They have increased by 24% in Southern California since last year, with the median home price in LA County at $775,000 (according to the LA Times).

It is still a very competitive market with the buyers out numbering the homes for sale. It has become the norm that the final sales price is often much higher than the listed price. For that reason, it’s very important that you get pre-approved before you even talk to a realtor, so you know how much you can offer. I can get you pre-approved, often for more than you thought. Call me and we can quickly see how much you can buy.

Fortunately, mortgage rates have come back to the low levels seen at the beginning of the year. This definitely makes it easier to qualify for a home purchase, and helps homeowners refinance to get lower payments. Even if you refinanced last year, current lower rates might be a money saver. And folding your high credit card debt into a new loan can actually lower your overall payments. Call me and let’s see how much money you can save.