On-line Pre-qualification takes less than 10 minutes! 

This one page pre-qualification form will allow us to serve you most effectively. This information will allow us to determine different financing options to achieve your long and short term mortgage goals. Please complete the form below, click "submit" and it will be emailed to us. If you have any questions about this form, please contact us.  

• 1 months most current paycheck stubs with Year-To-Date gross income.
• W-2 tax forms for most recent 2 years. (Self-employed submit 2 years of Tax Returns, all supplemental schedules).
• 3 months most current bank statements from checking, savings, money market and IRA accounts.
• Statements from 401K, stock, and mutual fund brokerage accounts or retirement accounts.
• Purchase Contract or Escrow Instructions.

• 1 months most current paycheck stubs with Year-To-Date gross income.
• W-2 tax forms for most recent 2 years. (Self-employed submit 2 years of Tax Returns, all supplemental schedules).
• 3 months most current bank statements from checking, savings, money market and IRA accounts.
• Statements from 401K, stocks, and mutual fund brokerage accounts or retirement accounts.
• Copy of most recent Property tax statement.
• Copy of most recent Fire insurance statement.
• Copy of most recent mortgage statement (First Trust Deed, Equity Lines and Equity Loans)

What is the process for obtaining a Mortgage?

 As your mortgage planner, my first priority is to educate you on the importance of being PRE-APPROVED in today’s housing market and having your "Mortgage-First" before starting to look for a home.  Listed below are three key points that summarize why a being  pre-approved  is your greatest asset at the negotiating table.  Please call or e-mail me to set up an appointment.

1   Peace of Mind

The best part of being pre-approved is simply the peace of mind and security of knowing your loan is in place.  This eliminates any worry or distraction and allows you to focus on finding the perfect property.  The beginning stages of buying a home is always the most stressful.  Therefore it is wise to give yourself a head start in making things as smooth as possible.

2   Negotiating Power

From the seller’s perspective an APPROVED borrower’s offer is considered equivalent to a cash offer.  You will have a significant advantage over other potential buyers.  Also, a pre-approval letter creates the opportunity to negotiate, which, in many cases, provides a savings up to 5% on the sales price of the home.  Again, this contributes even more to your peace of mind and security.

3   More Money Saving Power

The pre-approval process only takes about 45 minutes.  When you leave our office you will know exactly how much down payment you will need, and what purchase price you can afford.  Knowing your capabilities gives you a cut-and-dry edge at the negotiating table.  This power will inevitably save you thousands of dollars when the transaction is all said and done.

We are here to build "Clients for life"

Since nearly 100% of our business comes from referrals, our top priority is to provide superior advice and service-service that makes it easy for our clients to recommmed us to their family, friends, and neighbors. We know that our future really depends on the loyalty and heartfelt endorsement of our clients. After all the average client purchases seven homes during the course of their lifetime! Our goal is to serve all your motgage financing needs so that we continue to be "Your Personal Mortgage Planner." We can also help if you need a referral to a good Financial Planner, Accountant, Attorney, Insurance Agent, or Realtor.

Today, I see a mortgage, more than ever, not as a mortgage loan once was, but instead as a financial planning instrument that must be integrated into your personal financial plan. My goal is to help you create a mortgage strategy that will change your life and build wealth for you and your family.

Our Personal Mortgage Conceirge services include:

• Personalized Mortgage Plan
• Debt and Strategic Equity management
• Weekly Loan Status calls to Clients & Realtor Partners
• Annual Mortgage Review
• Interest Rate Watch Reports
• Referrals to other Financial Professionals (Realtors, CPA's, Financial Planners, Estate Attorneys, and Insurance Agents)

There is an old adage in the mortgage business that states that if you can improve your interest rate by at least one to one and half percentage points, than it is a good time to refinance.  While that may work as a general rule of thumb, the truth is that there are many reasons to refinance.

1) Lower your interest rate & Build Equity Faster

Securing a lower interest rate is one of the top reasons for refinancing.  This can make a big difference in your monthly out-of-pocket costs for housing and save money on financing fees.  If you are in a position to make higher monthly payments due to an increase in salary or other good fortunes, you may want to switch from a 30-year loan program into a 15 or 20 year loan structure.  This enables you to build equity faster and save a tremendous amount of money on financing fees.

2) Change your loan program

Some homeowners who start out in an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) find that they would like to switch to the stability of a Fixed Rate mortgage at some point. Others would like to combine their current first and second mortgages into a single mortgage plan.  An ARM may have been the most attractive rate and loan package when you last financed your home, but we can provide you with loan comparison charts to find out if you can save money with another type of loan program that might work better for your current situation or goals.

3) Credit score has improved

If your credit score has improved as a result of making your mortgage and credit payments on time, you may be in a position to take advantage of your improved credit standing.  We can review your current credit score, the terms of your existing mortgage, and review options for other loan programs that may not only reduce your monthly payment, but also save you money on interest fees over the life of the loan.

4) Use the equity you have established

A cash-out refinance allows you to tap into the equity you have built up in your home.  You may want to pay off revolving credit card accounts, send a child to college, or use the money for home improvements or personal expenses.

Regardless for your reasons for wanting to refinance your existing mortgage, my team and I are interested in helping you make a decision that works best for you.  We continually monitor rates and alert our clients of interest rate changes in order to inform you on your opportunity to refinance.

We will also review the terms of your existing mortgage program.  We will work extensively to help you integrate the mortgage loan you select to meet your long and short tem financial goals. Our goal is to improve your cash flow, minimize taxes, and reduce your interest expense.  

Call us today for your   
"mortgage check-up”

Here is a list of helpful tips to ensure an effortless loan process.  These DO’s and DON’Ts will help avoid any delays with your loan approval.

-DO continue making your mortgage or rent payments

-DO stay current on all existing accounts

-DO keep working at your current employer

-DO keep your same insurance company

-DO continue living at your current residence

-DO continue to use your credit as normal

-DO call us if you have any questions

-DON’T make a major purchase (car, boat, jewelry, etc.)

-DON’T apply for new credit (even if you seem pre-approved)

-DON’T open a credit card

-DON’T transfer any balances from one account to another

-DON’T pay off charge offs without a discussion with us first

-DON’T pay off collections without a discussion with us first

-DON’T buy any furniture

-DON’T close any credit card accounts

-DON’T change bank accounts

-DON’T max out or over charge on your credit card accounts

-DON’T consolidate your debt onto 1 or 2 credit cards

-DON’T take out a new loan

-DON’T start any home improvement projects

-DON’T finance any elective medical procedure

-DON'T pay loans or lines off without a discussion with us first

If you encounter a special situation, it is best to mention it to us right away so we can help you determine the best way to achieve your goals.

1.       The Escrow company will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment to sign the loan documents.

The Loan Documents are signed 4-10 days prior to the closing date; depending on how quickly final loan approval conditions are completed.  Most lenders require a 48-72 hour review prior to closing to verify the signed documents are complete.

2.       The Escrow company will prepare your closing statement & tell you how much money to bring to closing.

Essex Mortgage policy is to review the escrow company’s closing statement prior to our client’s signing.  However, the Escrow Companies do make mistakes on the settlement statement and often forget to verify fees with Essex Mortgage.  If you should notice an error on the closing statement, please contact us at Essex mortgage.  Generally, the Escrow Company will not have the exact amount of money to close, until final lender documents are delivered.  (Please note that Essex Mortgage can not guarantee the cost of Hazard Insurance & Property tax.)

3.       Select a Homeowners insurance company.  Ask your agent to contact Escrow 5 days prior to closing.

Essex Mortgage allows you to use the insurance company of your choice.  After selecting your insurance company ask them to contact Escrow.  Escrow will help the insurance company prepare the insurance binder according to the lender requirements.  If you would like a referral to a local insurance agent, please contact Essex mortgage for assistance.

4.       Please make arrangements to wire funds or bring a cashier’s check to the Escrow closing.

Most California State Escrow Companies require cashier checks or wired funds for liability reasons.  Please contact the escrow agent prior to signing for details.

5.       The Loan closing may be delayed if closing documents are signed incorrectly or if final closing conditions are not satisfied.

In the past even with the best preparation. Escrow companies have incorrectly prepared paperwork, lost paperwork, delayed returning paperwork to the lender or failed to get all loan documents signed correctly.  In addition, home purchasers and real estate agents have neglected to provide all requested paperwork needed to close a loan, such as original employment letters, verification of down payment or addendum’s to the Purchase & Sale Agreements.

Identity Theft Information

Financial accounts:. When you open new accounts, place passwords on them.  Avoid using your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.

Social Security number:.  Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know who you're dealing with.  Don’t carry your social security card with you.

Driver's license/other government issued identification: Contact the agency that issued the license or other identification document. Follow its procedures to cancel the document and to get a replacement. Ask the agency to flag your file so that no one else can get a license or any other identification document from them in your name.

If your information has been misused, file a report about the theft with the police, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, as well. If another crime was committed - for example, if your purse or wallet was stolen or your house or car was broken into - report it to the police immediately.

How can I minimize my risk?
Order a copy of your credit report. An amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the major nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit reports, at your request, once every 12 months.  To order your free annual report from one or all the national consumer reporting companies, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll-free 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can print the form from ftc.gov/credit.

To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Equifax: 800-685-1111; www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742); www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-916-8800; www.transunion.com
If you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's offices or other institutions that collect your personally identifying information.  Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that it is handled securely.  Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well.  Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else.  If so, ask how your information can be kept confidential.

Treat your mail and trash carefully.  Shred or tear your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail. To opt out of receiving offers of credit in the mail, call: 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).

If you have any questions on this or other matters, please don’t hesitate to contact me.