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Tag Archive for: real estate

How to Choose a Lender?

June 25, 2024/by 101 Loan
When choosing between an experienced loan officer who provides great service and competitive rates versus a lender with the lowest rates but lacking in service and experience, the decision hinges on several key factors:

Purchase Loan

For a purchase loan, the stakes are often higher due to deadlines and the complexity of the transaction. Here’s why an experienced loan officer is crucial:

Pros of an Experienced Loan Officer:

  1. Transaction Management: They can expertly manage the timeline and ensure all documentation is in place, reducing the risk of delays that could jeopardize the purchase.
  2. Problem-Solving: Experienced officers are adept at handling unexpected issues, which are common in purchase transactions.
  3. Communication: Effective communication with real estate agents, sellers, and other parties is vital for a smooth closing process.
  4. Competitive Rates: While they may not offer the absolute lowest rates, competitive rates combined with superior service often provide better overall value and peace of mind.

Cons of a Low-Rate, Low-Service Lender:

  1. Risk of Delays: Lack of experience and service can lead to delays, potentially costing you the deal or leading to additional expenses.
  2. Stress and Uncertainty: Poor service can result in a stressful and uncertain experience, which is not ideal when purchasing a home.
Recent Story…
Recently a client was going to go with Chase on a preapproval but after speaking with me, I was not only able to provide a lower in rate and fee but provided a plethora of information on affordability, tax benefits and how to reduce their closing costs.  

They made an offer with a 17 day closing and per their agent, our offer was accepted due to the fact that we called the listing agent on behalf of the buyer’s offer to convey the buyers financial strengths and that a 17 day closing was no issue. This Friday we close (6/28/24) !

Refinance Loan

For a refinance loan, while service and experience are still important, the urgency is typically lower compared to a purchase loan. However, there are still significant advantages to working with an experienced loan officer:

Pros of an Experienced Loan Officer:

  1. Tailored Advice: They can help you determine the best refinance options based on your financial situation.
  2. Smooth Process: Ensures a smooth and efficient process, minimizing disruptions and delays.
  3. Problem-Solving: Can handle any complications that arise, ensuring you get the best terms possible.
  4. Competitive Rates: Offers a balance of competitive rates and excellent service, leading to overall better terms and satisfaction.

Cons of a Low-Rate, Low-Service Lender:

  1. Potential for Errors: Lack of experience can lead to mistakes that could delay or derail the refinance process.
  2. Lack of Guidance: You might miss out on the best refinancing options or opportunities without expert advice.
  3. Increased Stress: Poor service can result in a more stressful experience, even if you eventually secure a lower rate.

Conclusion

While the allure of the lowest rates is strong, the value of an experienced loan officer who provides great service and competitive rates cannot be overstated. The risks associated with poor service and inexperience, particularly in a purchase loan scenario, can lead to significant financial and emotional costs.

For Purchase Loans: Prioritize an experienced loan officer who offers competitive rates and excellent service with solid reviews on Yelp and Google and referred by your trusted Realtor. The complexity and time-sensitive nature of purchase transactions make the expertise and support crucial.

For Refinance Loans: While lower rates are appealing, the benefits of an experienced loan officer still play a significant role in ensuring a smooth process and securing the best terms for your situation.

Ultimately, balancing competitive rates with exceptional service and expertise will typically provide the best overall value and experience in both purchase and refinance scenarios.  101 Loan has over 34 years of experience in lending, has closed over 2000 loans, has access to over 60 banks at competitive rates and offers a streamlined process to actively close any purchase or refinance whether its a residential or commercial loan.  For more information, please contact us.

Best Regards,

101 Loan
Senior Mortgage Advisor
www.101Loan.com
650-465-8957 c  hello@101loan.com
CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829
101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 60 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google and Linkedin.
  5. Over 30 years of lending experience with over $2b in closed loan volume.
https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cross-Road.jpg 936 935 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2024-06-25 21:18:012024-06-25 22:10:31How to Choose a Lender?

Renting vs. Owning…A Cost Analysis

June 11, 2024/by 101 Loan

Renting a home can often be more expensive than owning a home in the long term due to several financial benefits associated with home ownership especially if the home is sold after 10 years.

Let’s break down the key factors to illustrate why this might be the case:

Assumptions…

Appreciation Schedule

Assuming a 7% annual appreciation rate over the last 10 years for a home in the Bay Area:

  • Initial Home Value: $1,500,000
  • Appreciated Value After 10 Years: $2,950,726.50

Mortgage and Refinancing

Assuming a 20% down payment and an initial interest rate of 7%, refinanced to 6% after 6 months:

  • Initial Mortgage: $1,200,000
  • Initial Interest Rate: 7%
  • Refinanced Interest Rate: 6%
  • Loan Term: 30 years

Tax Write-Off

In a 32% tax bracket, the mortgage interest is tax-deductible, providing substantial tax savings.

Rent vs. Buy Scenario

Comparing the cost of renting at $6,000 per month with a 2.65% annual inflation rate over 10 years versus owning.

Renting Costs

  • Initial Rent: $6,000 per month
  • Annual Rent Increase: 2.65%
  • Total Rent Paid Over 10 Years: Approximately $812,218

Homeownership Costs

  • Monthly Mortgage Payment:
    • Initial 6 months at 7%: $7,983.63 per month
    • Remaining term at 6%: $7,238.39 per month
  • Total Mortgage Payments:
    • Initial 6 months: $47,901.78
    • Subsequent 9.5 years: $825,837.42
    • Total: $873,739.20

Tax Savings

  • First Year Interest Payment: $84,000
  • First Year Tax Savings: $26,880
  • Subsequent Years Interest Payment: $72,000 per year
  • Subsequent Years Tax Savings: $23,040 per year
  • Total Tax Savings Over 10 Years: $234,240
  • Net Mortgage Payments (after Tax Savings): $639,499.20

Sale of the Home After 10 Years

  • Appreciated Home Value: $2,950,726.50
  • Original Purchase Price: $1,500,000
  • Capital Gain: $2,950,726.50 – $1,500,000 = $1,450,726.50
  • Capital Gains Exclusion for Married Couple: $500,000
  • Taxable Capital Gain: $950,726.50
  • Capital Gains Tax (20%): $190,145.30

Summary of Costs and Benefits

Renting Costs (Over 10 Years)

  • Total Rent Paid: $812,218

Homeownership Costs (Over 10 Years)

  • Total Mortgage Payments: $873,739.20
  • Total Tax Savings: $234,240
  • Net Mortgage Payments (after Tax Savings): $639,499.20
  • Capital Gains Tax: $190,145.30

Financial Outcome After Selling the Home

  • Net Proceeds from Sale: $2,950,726.50 (Appreciated Value) – $1,200,000 (Remaining Mortgage Balance) – $190,145.30 (Capital Gains Tax) = $1,560,581.20

Conclusion (Including Home Sale)

When considering the sale of the home after 10 years:

  • Total Cost of Renting: $812,218
  • Net Cost of Owning (including mortgage payments and tax savings): $639,499.20
  • Net Proceeds from Home Sale: $1,560,581.20

Owning a home not only becomes more cost-effective compared to renting over 10 years but also significantly increases the homeowner’s net worth through appreciation and equity building. The net proceeds from selling the home further amplify the financial benefits of homeownership, making it a far more attractive option for long-term wealth accumulation.

For more info, please contact us.

Best Regards,

101 Loan
Senior Mortgage Advisor
www.101Loan.com
650-465-8957 c  408-377-4123 o
CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829
101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 60 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google and Linkedin.
  5. Over 30 years of lending experience with over $2b in closed loan volume.

Note...Above info is for educational purposes and not to be construed as wealth planning or tax planning advice.  For more info, please contact a professional to confirm the above and how it will impact or affect you.

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SF-Homes.webp 1024 1024 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2024-06-11 22:41:022024-07-01 21:22:53Renting vs. Owning…A Cost Analysis

Interesting Times in Real Estate…Part 2 (Interest Rates)

March 30, 2024/by 101 Loan

As mentioned in part 1, Housing Inventory is influenced by many factors and one factor that has a large influence on real estate (whether it’s a good market or a bad one) is Interest Rates (the price you pay to borrow money over time).

When Interest rates are high, this usually slows down anything that’s is reliant on lending whether commercial, residential or consumer related.  When interest rates drop, businesses and consumers start spending again as their ability to leverage improves and their costs drops.

Interest Rates in the last 20 months – Once Very Low, Then Very High and Hopefully Going Lower…

In June/July of 2022, interest rates started climbing from all-time lows and continued their way up from 2.75% in rate in the residential markets to a whopping 8% as the Federal Reserve was trying to control inflation.

In August/Sept of 2023, the Federal Reserve started using language that they might slow down or stop increasing rates, as inflation showed signs that it was getting inflation under control and that they might ease rates in Q1 of 2024, great news for us loan originators, as we just had the worst year ever in 30 years of lending and why over 200,000 loan officers and support staff exited the industry similar to what was seen in 2008/2009 with the recession of the stock market and housing collapse.

At that time (still in Sept of 2023), the Federal Reserve shared their intention and plan on how they were going to lower rates in 2024, 2025 and 2026 getting us back to rates in the mid 4’s to mid 5’s.  In q1 of 2024 after seeing Decembers numbers for inflation, those plans were squashed as inflation started to rear its ugly head again even though the stock market was on fire which would normally fuel the real estate market but rates went from the mid 6’s to the low 7’s in less than 1 month and stayed that way until March when rates finally started to drop as the Federal Reserve stated in an FOMC Meeting that “the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent” which is in line with the same update in September of 2023 which was great news.

We hope the Fed’s continue to lower rates to fuel the economy and help the real estate market which should bring more buyers and sellers to the market.

What Do Interest Rates Really Do?

Interest rates directly affect the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses alike. In the context of real estate, mortgage interest rates significantly influence the affordability of homes. Lower interest rates make mortgages more accessible and reduce monthly payments, stimulating housing demand. Conversely, higher interest rates increase borrowing costs, potentially dampening demand and slowing down the pace of home purchases. In the Bay Area’s high-priced real estate market, even slight changes in interest rates can have a substantial impact on affordability, housing activity and can increase or impede consumer confidence.

Interest Rates Affect Consumer Confidence?

Consumer confidence, a crucial driver of economic activity, is closely tied to interest rates. When rates are low, consumers are more likely to feel confident about making major purchases, such as homes and durable goods. This increased spending contributes to economic growth. Conversely, rising interest rates may cause consumers to postpone discretionary spending and investments, leading to a decline in consumer confidence and overall economic activity.

The Federal Reserve plays a central role in influencing interest rates through monetary policy decisions. By adjusting the federal funds rate, the Fed aims to achieve its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Changes in the federal funds rate ripple through the financial system, impacting borrowing costs and, consequently, economic activity and real estate markets.

Summary…

In summary, interest rates in the Bay Area have far-reaching implications, affecting housing affordability, economic growth, and consumer sentiment. Monitoring interest rate trends is essential for stakeholders in the real estate industry, policymakers, and consumers alike, as they navigate the complexities of the market and plan for the future.

Any questions, please contact me.

Best Regards,

101 Loan
Senior Mortgage Advisor
www.101Loan.com
650-465-8957 c  408-377-4123 o
CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829
101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 60 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google and Linkedin.
  5. Over 30 years of lending experience with over $2b in closed loan volume.

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lower-Rates-2.jpg 836 1254 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2024-03-30 06:15:212024-03-30 06:15:21Interesting Times in Real Estate…Part 2 (Interest Rates)

Interesting Times in Real Estate…Part 1 (Housing Inventory)

March 22, 2024/by 101 Loan

2024 has been “interesting” to say the least in the world of real estate due to the following:

  • Housing Inventory
  • Interest Rates
  • Recent Changes in Residential Real Estate – NAR Developments, Market Impact and Trends
  • Changes in Commercial and Construction Financing

Over the next 4 weeks I’ll send an article on each topic (above) as it relates to Real Estate in the Residential and Commercial Space.  Please see below.

Housing Inventory and How its Affecting Buyers and Sellers

Before we get started, housing inventory, specifically residential housing, is defined as the total number of active listings plus pending sales in any given month and usually includes homes, town homes and condominiums.  To see this article in html, click here.

Factors that Influence Housing Inventory:

  • Cost of Money (Interest Rates)
  • Accessibility to Money (Lending)
  • The Economy (Locally and Nationally)
  • Consumer Confidence
  • Infrastructure of the Area*
  • The Stock Market
  • Job Growth
  • Inflation

*Infrastructure for these purposes is defined as the abundance or lack of land and buildable space, population in the area, number of large, mid and small cap sized companies local to one area, support services that include the number of schools (k-12), junior colleges, colleges and universities, hospitals, medical support, multiple sport teams, safety in an area, etc.  Example: Strong Areas typically include the Bay Area, LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Miami, Boston, New York to name of few.

What’s a Perfect Real Estate Model?

One of the most perfect real estate models is considered the Bay Area.  This is due to its high infrastructure (see above for definition) compared to most areas in the country, but also has some of the most expensive real estate.  Where infrastructure is high and the above factors are positive, residential housing inventory is this area tends to be low just as its been since 2014 after the recovery from the 2008/2009 real estate crash that affected the country.

From 2014 and forward, inventory hasn’t gone back to “normal” levels, where there’s a balance of housing supply and consumer demand.  For the last decade (with the exception of 2023 when interest rates soared), residential housing inventory locally has been low and demand has been great exceeding supply.

Currently, inventory is as follows…

  • Santa Clara County – There are 1213 listings (801 homes, 282 condos and 130 townhomes) and pending sales of 900 (603 in homes and 297 in condos and townhomes as provided by Jen Beehler with Elevate Group  650-714-8216
  • San Mateo County – There are 579 listings (91 of which are off market and only available to Realtors) and pending sales of 332 (51 contingent, 287 pending) as provided by Kiersten Ligeti with the Agency  650-766-8319
  • Santa Cruz County – There are 283 listings and 52 pending sales and 77 contingent as provided by Dawn Thomas & Chuck Holcomb at the The Dawn Thomas Team at  650-7010-7822

Important Note: Housing Inventory does fluctuate but historically over the last 10 years, supply has not kept up pace with demand causing overbidding on many homes sold with the exception was 2023 where residential real estate came to a stand still due to rising interest rates from January of 2023 at 3% to 7% (+or- .5%.)


The Bidding War…Recent Stories

As inventory remains low in the Bay Area, if a property comes on the market where 1 or more buyers like it, when they offer, a bidding war occurs especially when the listing agent accepts offers on a certain day and time.  Result, this is pushing values higher.  See some recent stories that I personally experienced…

Story 1…Last month we had a client that bid on a property where there were 11 offers on a property listed for $1.595m.  Our bid was the winner at 1.8m due to a short closing and no contingencies.  We were worried that the appraised value would come in low but low and behold the appraised value came in and we closed with no issue.  This then becomes the new comp/closing for the area pushing values higher.

Story 2…Dawn Thomas (that provided info for Santa Cruz County) has a client that presented an offer at $2.1m bringing in a significant down payment and the home sold at $2.8m with the client knowing full well they may need to make of the difference if the appraised value comes in short (while we are waiting for the appraisal).  What’s crazy, with all this over bidding, when the property closes, that property becomes the new comp for their neighborhood pushing prices up further.  Just look at the recent Housing Price Index for San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara as it correlates to supply and demand of the local real estate market and the increase of home prices over time.

Summary

Low Housing Inventory with High Demand equals Overbidding and Higher Values in the Near Future.  If you’re a seller trading up or trading down or selling for profit, you can still sell for top dollar.  If you’re a buyer, if you buy now, your locking in the price as its expected to go higher due to housing inventory and lower rates as expected by the Fed Reserve in q3 and q4 of this year.  Next week, I will cover Interest rates and how they correlate with Real Estate and the over all economy and of course consumer confidence which also drives real estate prices up.

If you have any questions and would like to get preapproved or determine your purchase power or financing options, please contact me.  Thanks.


Best Regards,

101 Loan
Senior Mortgage Advisor
www.101Loan.com
650-465-8957 c 408-377-4123 o
CA DRE #01205444 NMLS #326829
101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 60 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google and Linkedin.
  5. Over 30 years of lending experience with over$2b in closed loan volume.

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

 

 

 

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/0-4.jpg 720 864 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2024-03-22 17:46:412024-04-16 20:32:57Interesting Times in Real Estate…Part 1 (Housing Inventory)

Commercial Lending…What Not to Do!

August 11, 2023/by 101 Loan

I have been practicing residential financing for over 30 years and commercial financing for over 20 years and have provided commercial financing on Multifamily (Apartments), Office, Retail, Medical (Dental and Doctor Offices) and Light Industrial properties (data storage units and auto dealerships).

During that time, I have witnessed that residential interest rates were always lower than commercial rates until the Federal Reserve started raising rates in January of 2022.  In looking at the current interest rate market, residential rates are varying between 6.5% to 7.5% depending on the loan amount, ltv, fico’s, property type and points paid, etc.  Commercial lending on the other hand has ranged recently from 5.5% to 6.5% depending on loan term, property types and points paid.

Most Important…

Commercial loans all have prepayment penalties (where residential loans do not) and they usually follow the term of the loan so they tend to not only be costly (if one breaks them) but they also tend to be very long in duration!

For Example…

  • 5 Year Fixed Loan (on a commercial loans) have a 5 year prepayment penalty that works like this with a 5-4-3-2-1 Prepay.  Year 1 of loan, the loan has a prepayment of 5% of the loan amount if the loan is paid down or paid off.  Year 2 is 4%.  Year 3 is 3%.  Year 4 is 2% and year 5 is 1%.  After the 5th year of 61 months out, the prepayment penalty drops off.
  • 7 year fixed with 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Prepay…Year 1 of loan, the loan has a prepayment of 7% of the loan amount if the loan is paid down or paid off.  Year 2 is 6%.  Year 3 is 5% and so on like the 5 year fixed.  There’s also 10 and 15 year fixed loans.

So…Here’s the Million Dollar Question…Why is it so Important in This Market to Not Have a Prepayment Penalty on a Commercial Loan?

Answer…If you have a prepayment penalty on your commercial loan and rates drop, then how is one able to refi without breaking the terms of the loan and paying the prepayment penalty?  There Isn’t.  All you can do is a get a loan with a shorter prepay if one exists.

“Voila”…We have that option and banks like Chase, First Republic, Heritage to name of few don’t!

Last week we had a client with $2m dollar commercial loan that was comparing us to another lender and our rate was .5% higher in rate than the other lender or $650 per month more, but our prepayment on 5 year fixed was a 2-1 and theirs was a 5-4-3-2-1.  On $2 million in loan amount, year 2 (let’s say 18 months out after closing, rates drop) and the client wants to refi.  The client then pays $80k for the prepayment penalty with the other lender.  Our lender charges $20k plus the spread of the monthly payment equal to $650 or $11,700 at the 18th month or $31,700 in total.  The other lender charges the client $80k.  Hmm…$31,700 from our lender or $80,000 from the other lender with the lower rate.  Our option would save the client $48,300.  Again, which option is better?  Which lender should the client use??  Us or them???

See the logic of going with a lesser prepayment even if the rate is higher by a tad?  Having the lesser term or prepay is the logical way to go.  Unfortunately, this client was fixed on one thing…the rate where I was focused on the long term solution…Flexibility and the probability of lower rates and payments in the future, per this report from Morning Star, a publication that definitely is the closest to a crystal ball!

In Closing…

In the world of commercial lending just like residential lending there is more to just making a decision solely on the rate as illustrated above.  If you want our help and sage experience in making the best decision when it comes to choosing a loan product or making a financial decision, please contact us.

Below is a List of What we Do:

  • Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  • Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  • Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  • Hard Money, DSCR Financing & Bank Statement Financing on Residential & Commercial property.
  • Access to over 50 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.

BTW...if you’d like to review my current market report, please go here.

All the Best,

101 Loan

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com

650-465-8957 c  408-377-4123 o  408-608-1921 f

CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829

101 Loan – 6090 Hellyer Ave #100, San Jose, CA 95138

Note: Interest rates and loan programs quoted are subject to change without notice or until locked and approved by lender.

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Office-Building.jpg 1414 2121 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2023-08-11 20:55:102023-08-14 22:24:52Commercial Lending…What Not to Do!

Eight Myths About Estate Planning

October 5, 2021/by 101 Loan

One of the Most Important Things Every Family Should Have…

As your wealth increases or your family expands, its so important to have an estate plan also known as a living trust that not only reduces your tax liability as life events occur but also dictates what is to occur when a life event happens.  For more info on estate plans, please see below or contact me for a referral in your area or based on what you are looking to do.

 

All the Best,

101 Loan

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com 

408-377-4123 o  650-465-8957 c   408-608-1921 f

101 Loan – 1601 S De Anza Blvd, Suite 260, Cupertino, CA 95014

CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829

 

Eight Myths About Estate Planning

Somita Basu – Partner-Norton Basu LLP 

www.nortonbasu.com 408.850.7250 sbasu@nortonbasu.com

Myth 1: Everyone knows they need an estate plan.

This may seem like common sense, but as we know, common sense isn’t so common. The
majority of all Americans will die without an estate plan of any kind in place. Many people don’t
want to think about their eventual death or leaving their loved ones behind. But less than half
of all Americans have an updated estate plan that accurately reflects their wishes. The lack of
an updated estate plan results in the inefficient transfer of assets and incurs legal costs, trauma
for the beneficiaries, and expensive delays.

Myth 2: I don’t have an estate!

The word ‘estate’ can conjure up visions of castles, mansions, and the American version of
Downton Abbey. But in the context of estate planning, your ‘estate’ consists of everything you
won, no matter how little or how much. Anything you own in your name as an individual (or
jointly with a spouse or partner) is part of your estate. So, yes, you do have an estate. The
question is who decides what happens to your estate? You or the state of California?

Myth 3: I only need to worry about who gets my house.

Given Bay Area real estate prices, it’s natural to focus on what will happen to your house when
you die. Which child should get the house? Who should be able to live in it? Should rent be
paid? But you need to worry about more than just your house or rental properties. You also
have to consider your bank accounts, investment accounts, and even sentimental pieces of
property – maybe a book passed down for generations, wedding jewelry, or even photographs.

Myth 4: I’m not old enough to need an estate plan.

As soon as you turned 18, you needed an estate plan. At that age, an Advanced Health Care
Directive and Power of Attorney should be completed. When you become a legal adult, your
parents no longer have automatic access to your medical information or your assets. They will
need validly executed and notarized legal documents to help you should the need arise.
Remember, the components of an estate plan will vary with each individual’s need. It’s never a
one-size-fits-all option.

Myth 5: A will and a trust are similar.

A will and trust are only similar in that they both direct the disposition of your assets after your
death. But a will MUST go through the probate process in California while a properly funded
trust avoids court supervision in the vast majority of cases.

Myth 6: My will is a private document.

A will is a private document while you’re alive. But once you die, the original Will must be
lodged with the probate court. This Will then becomes a public document. Anyone can access
this document and your beneficiaries can definitely expect multiple calls from realtors,
investigators, and others. A Trust by comparison is a private document available to only your
beneficiaries and direct relatives. The only time a Trust becomes public is if litigation is
involved.

Myth 7: My agent can use my Power of Attorney after I die.

So many people seem to believe the Power of Attorney document allows access to their bank
accounts even after they die. This is simply not true. The agent acting under your Power of
Attorney only has access to your bank accounts and financial information while you are alive.
Once you pass away, anyone who requires access to your accounts will need court approval or
must be acting as Trustee of your trust. Either way, legal documentation will be required.

Myth 8: I can do my estate plan online with no problem.

Online estate planning packages have serious deficiencies. The legal language is faulty and
multiple legal issues are not addressed properly. But those are technical issues. The question is,
do you want your assets to pass to your beneficiaries as smoothly as possible or do you want a
one-size-fits-all option you can complete online without the advice of an experienced attorney?
Ask yourself, if you found a lump in your lymph node, would you Google the treatment or go to
a specialist and get tested and follow a prescribed treatment plan? Don’t leave something as
important as your legacy to an algorithm. Talk to an experienced estate planning attorney.

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Estate-Planning.jpg 954 1100 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2021-10-05 17:28:112024-04-10 20:36:18Eight Myths About Estate Planning

Unemployment Down in Bay Area and Real Estate Staying Strong…

June 6, 2020/by 101 Loan

A Very Interesting Week for Real Estate, Unemployment and the Dow Jones!

This week, see why the economy is coming back strong. For more info, see https://youtu.be/7DaDcWhDUdg.

Home Values

Real Estate values continue to stay strong, with multiple offers as Shelter in Place has been modified.

Just this week, we pre-approved over twice as many borrowers as with previous weeks.  Many of my Realtors are reporting buyers coming off the fence and writing offers.  Housing inventory is finally up with Shelter in Place in Phase 2 allowing Realtors the ability to list property.  Inventory is now at 2.8 months but with over 7 Million people residing in the bay area, that isn’t much!  This is great news for sellers, but not so much for buyers where supply and demand are not equal.

Unemployment

Bay Area unemployment wasn’t as high, as some expected, compared to other areas throughout California.  Marin County came in at 11.1.  San Francisco County at 12.6, San Mateo County at 11.4 and Santa Clara County at 11.7.  What is also interesting is national unemployment dropped from 15.3 to 13.3%.  In just one month, over 2.5m people went back to work which is great news for the economy!

Local, National and Global Markets

The Dow closed today at 27,110 due to the following:

  1. Economic Optimism
  2. Overwhelming Policy Response
  3. Corona Virus Uncertainty Abating
  4. Global Yields Increasing

For more info on these, see my weekly report which can be found at www.101Loan.com under Rob’s Corner.

In Closing…Noah Manning with Perspective Realty in the North Bay and myself provided a summary on the above (and more) at https://youtu.be/7DaDcWhDUdg.   (I hope you enjoy it and if you like it, please leave your comments on the channel)

I hope you have a great weekend!

All the Best,

101 Loan

Senior Mortgage Advisor

408-377-4123 o  650-465-8957 c   hello@101loan.com

101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

101 Loan LLC – CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 50 banks with over 200 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.
https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Real-Estate-Growth.jpg 836 1254 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2020-06-06 02:03:142023-08-31 18:58:13Unemployment Down in Bay Area and Real Estate Staying Strong…

Market Update – Unemployment and Property Values

June 3, 2020/by 101 Loan

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to share with you a recent presentation I did, posted on You Tube, about the impact unemployment will have on local housing values compared to the rest of California with the big question in mind…

  • Are we headed towards a Recession?
  • Are we headed into a Real Estate Correction

Feel free to view and share with colleagues, friends and clients.

This Friday, I will be providing a new video and more unemployment numbers that have been recently released and what they mean.  If you need anything, please contact me.  Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFq0qqyxOb0

Have a great week and stay safe!

Best Regards,

101 Loan

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.101Loan.com

408-377-4123 o  650-465-8957 c   408-608-1921 f

101 Loan – 14435 C Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

101 Loan LLC – CA DRE #01205444  NMLS #326829

Products/Services/Accolades:

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 50 banks with over 200 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and Linkedin.

BTW…Interested in learning more about how to Choose a Lender…

Obtaining a mortgage in today’s market for a future purchase or refinance can be a complex ordeal. A top financing professional can be critical in getting your offer excepted, or locking the lowest rates and fees with

the most favorable terms. Below are some questions you will want to ask, to make the best choice in choosing your residential or commercial lender or mortgage originator.

By asking the following questions, we can quickly help determine your goals and financing options…

  • How long will you live in the area?
  • How long will you keep the property?
  • Are you planning on doing any remodeling or adding on to the property in the future?
  • When would you like to retire?
  • Are you after cash flow or paying off the loan as quickly as possible?
  • Plus many more…

Once we have your answers, we will advise on what loan programs are best for you and what loan structure will meet your goals.  This is done at the pre-approval appointment and reviewed again once in contract or when we lock your loan.

How will you help me understand the tax benefits of home financing for the future purchase of a home?    

We will determine your approximate tax write offs, net tax benefit, and net effective payment based on your tax bracket. Then we will compare your current mortgage payment to rent and you the benefit on a monthly basis in real dollars.

What is your process in assisting me so I can get my offers accepted?

We do several things that include providing a pre-approval in ms-word, so then at moment’s notice the Realtor can modify the price of the pre-approval to match any offer if purchasing below or at the original pre-approved amount. We also call the listing agent on each offer to convey the buyers compensating factors and to differentiate the offer from everyone else’s.   Lastly, we will help coordinate short closings and “as is” offers with no contingencies.

For more info, go here, then click on Home Financing Brochure for more info.  Thanks.

Purchasing Start

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Questionmark.jpg 699 1500 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2020-06-03 20:20:232023-08-31 19:00:08Market Update – Unemployment and Property Values

Are Values Really Going To Go Higher?

September 9, 2019/by 101 Loan

Recently rates dropped, but that didn’t last long. Numerous economic reports (see report below) came out showing positive signs that the economy will “steam” forward coupled with the Federal Reserve’s statement that they have “no plans on increasing rates in 2019” means one thing in the near future…Higher Values and Higher Rates! (Rates tend to increase when the market is doing well) Read more

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Values-Up.jpg 836 1254 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2019-09-09 17:37:382024-04-10 19:01:07Are Values Really Going To Go Higher?

What We Do is Different!

November 14, 2018/by 101 Loan

Some lenders provide great rates but lack service. Some lenders provide great service but lack good rates. At 101 Loan, we provide both but when it comes to making an offer on your behalf, we go the extra mile to ensure your offer is the strongest possible in the eyes of the seller. This includes the following and something most banks, brokers or credit unions don’t offer: Read more

https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Differentiation.jpg 836 1254 101 Loan https://101loan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/lg2.jpg 101 Loan2018-11-14 17:30:402024-04-10 19:03:31What We Do is Different!
Page 1 of 212

What We Do

  1. Residential Financing for Purchases and Refinances on 1 to 4 unit properties.
  2. Reverse Mortgage Financing to include Conforming, Jumbo, HELOC Jumbo’s.
  3. Commercial & SBA Financing to include Multifamily, Office, Retail and Light Industrial.
  4. Access to over 60 banks with over 300 “Five Star” Reviews on Yelp, Google and Linkedin.
  5. Over 30 years of lending experience with over $2b in closed loan volume.

Latest news

  • “Bridge Financing that’s Less Expensive”July 14, 2026 - 11:08 pm
  • New Doctor Program…July 1, 2026 - 5:56 pm
  • The Truth About Reverse MortgagesJune 16, 2026 - 6:58 pm

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c/o Rob McCarthy
99 South Almaden Blvd,
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San Jose, CA 95113

650-465-8957
rob@101Loan.com

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