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Mortgage Matt's Blog

VA Loans: What are the Big Changes

If you or your spouse has served in the military you’ll benefit a lot from this article as we go on to discuss the big changes to VA Loans this 2020. In a nutshell, we’re looking at higher borrowing power and increased fees for active members of the service and…

The VA May Owe Disabled Veterans Millions In Home Loan Fee Refunds

Over 50,000 veterans with disabilities could be owed up to $190 million in refunds from the Department of Veterans Affairs, an investigation has found. The refunds are for VA home loan fees that veterans no longer owe or were wrongly charged for.

VA Loans: What You Need to Know

Applying for a home loan can be frustrating and confusing for anyone, especially first-time buyers. First-time buyers, according to the 2016 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, account for 35% of home purchases. Veterans who are buying…

VA Warns Veterans to be Careful of Refinancing Scams

Last month a survey by the AARP indicated that veterans are a frequent target of refinancing scams. 16% of veterans have lost money to fraud, compared to 8% of the general public. The VA has issued a warning to veterans about common refinancing scams. We’ll help you…

2020 FHA Home Loan and Streamline Guide

A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is designed for low to moderate-income homebuyers and ideal for them due to the low minimum down payment and more lenient credit scores when compared to conventional loans. This is a popular option among first-time…

3 Types Of Homebuyers Who Can Benefit From FHA Loans

Financing a home seems like a daunting task for many, but FHA loans make the dream of owning a home feasible for people across the United States. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was created in 1934 to increase homeownership in America…

FHA Loans 101

An FHA loan is a mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These loans are designed for people who are unable to make a large down payment. A borrower must have a credit score of 600 or higher to qualify for an FHA loan for a mortgage with a down…

Protect Your Future Investment with an FHA Loan

FHA loans aren’t just affordable for first-time buyers - they’re safe, too. The Federal Housing Administration has taken measures to ensure that FHA loans are designed to survive even when the real estate market is in turmoil. These measures mostly take the form of…

Tips For Building Equity In Your Home

A home of your own may be the biggest investment you make in your lifetime. After saving up a substantial downpayment, you look for a lender to provide your mortgage and financing. You work hard to earn income to support your household and make your mortgage payments….

Why Loan-To-Value Is Important

Loan to value (LTV) is the difference between the fair market value of the home and the amount of your mortgage, typically when seeking financing, but applies throughout the life of the loan. A mortgage is a secured loan, which means a loan that has collateral…

Mortgage and Financing in 2020

If you’re planning to get great financing options for a home loan, let’s cover a few basics to get you sorted out. Though conventional home loans may require you a 20 percent down payment for your new real estate, this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, the average…

How Does My Debt Impact My Mortgage?

With the U.S. currently in the middle of a student loan debt crisis, it makes sense to be concerned about how your own existing debt will impact your ability to buy a house. According to debt.org, the average student loan debt for 2016 college graduates was $37,172….

Want To Own A Home By 30? Here’s How Much You Need To Save

Born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, many Americans born into Generation Z have officially hit their early 20s. And if they want to be able to afford a house by the age of 30, they need to start saving now. According to recent data from…

Simple Ways to Start Investing in Real Estate

The world is full of opportunities to make money and dip your toes in various investments. Some people are intimidated by the idea of investing and the underlying risks involved. Others are willing to take the chance in hopes of matching their risk with reward….

What Does the New Tax Plan Mean for Homeowners?

With the recent passage of the tax reform legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many Americans are curious as to how they might be affected. While the new tax code has major implications for many people with a home mortgage, others may notice no difference whatsoever.

4 Considerations to Make Before Applying for a Home Loan

Making the decision to purchase a home is a very important step in anyone’s life. So before you begin shopping around for mortgages, it’s important to do some research and figure out exactly what type of home loan will be best for you.

Prepping to Buy a Home: What to Have Handled Before Homeownership

Buying your first home will be one of the most intimidating purchases you’ll make. While the purchase itself is a large sum to handle, the intricate details of the home buying process don’t make it any easier. Between home loans, mortgages, refinancing…

Don’t Fall Prey to High Rates: Use These Tips to Get a Better Deal

Many people don’t consider they’re home-buying finances until they begin looking for a new home. Unfortunately, by that time it isn’t much you can do to significantly change the outcome of your mortgage approval.

Preparing your finances to purchase a home

It’s been about a decade since the financial crisis that took down many of the nation’s biggest banks, but many of us are still justifiably cautious about borrowing money. If you’re interested in taking the plunge and getting a home loan, here’s how to prepare your…

How to Choose the Best Mortgage For Your Home

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you’ve purchased other homes in the past, chances are pretty high that you’ll need to negotiate a mortgage when it comes time to move. Mortgages can make it far more feasible for the average American to buy a home, but that…

Mortgage Rates Are Falling — Should You Refinance?

June has been an exciting month for home buyers and homeowners. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage has dropped from 4.23% on May 21 to 3.94% as of June 17; that comes out to a savings of around $270 per year for those homeowners interested in refinancing their…

Millennials and Mortgages: What This Leading Generation Should Know About Homeownership

According to a 2016 report, approximately 35% of home buyers were also first-time buyers that year. And since people tend to be waiting a little longer to purchase homes, it should come as no surprise that there’s a certain demographic…

Applying for a Mortgage? Make Sure You Ask These 5 Questions

If you’re getting ready to buy a home, choosing a home loan is a crucial step. It can be time-consuming and confusing, so allow yourself plenty of time to go through this process. Data collected in September of 2016 shows that 59% of homeowners wish they had a clearer understanding…

The worst home mortgage advice you hear and what to do instead.

The title really says it all! In this post I’ll be describing some of the worst pieces of home mortgage advice that people hear, and explain why it’s wrong and what advice would be more helpful. Call it the professional take. We are bombarded everyday by bad…

Lowering Costs For First Time Homebuyers

Buying a home is a momentous milestone that may seem out of reach based on your financial situation. However, an FHA loan can help manage the cost. So, how can FHA loans impact the cost of a home?

4 First-Time Home Buyer Grants and Programs

Financing your home purchase as a first-time buyer can be intimidating, especially if you’ve been having trouble saving up for a down payment. However, there are a variety of FHA loan programs and grants available to first-time homebuyers that make purchasing your…

Defining Your Mortgage Loan: A Glossary Of Common Terms

With all of the various rules and stipulations, the mortgage industry can be very confusing for many homeowners, especially first-time homeowners. According to data from Sept. 2016, 59% of homeowners wish that they had a better understanding of their mortgage loans’…

The Relationship Between Mortgage Loans And Credit Scores

Mortgage lenders want to be sure that the loans they give out will be paid back in a timely fashion, and one of the surest ways for them to measure that is by checking credit scores. One of the most important things you can do to expedite and simplify the home buying…

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

Not surprisingly, 59% of homeowners wish they had a better grasp on the terms and details of their mortgage, according to data collected in September of 2016. While it’s important to ask questions about mortgage loans during the meeting with your lender, it’s more important to ask the right questions.

The Top 6 Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

The American Dream is inseparable from home ownership. Putting down roots and owning your own piece of America is the ultimate goal of many Americans. But as a first-time home buyer, buying a house can be intimidating. How do you know if you’re making the right choice?

Millennials are flocking to VA Loans

Millennials are using VA loans much more than previous generations - creating a renaissance for the long running program. Last year, one third of all VA loans were used by millennials. A notoriously cash-strapped generation - coming of age in a time of…

Is Refinancing in Redding Right for You?

When you do refinancing in Redding, what you’re essentially doing is creating a second mortgage on your home to cover your first mortgage. Refinancing is something people do when they are buying out another individual who is on a deed or to get a lower interest rate…

3 Myths About Mortgage Refinancing, Busted

Refinancing your mortgage is a scary prospect. After all, you most likely already spent thousands of dollars paying off the mortgage loans you have now. But sometimes, conventional mortgage refinancing is the best way to reduce your home loan rate of interest and save money.

Why Should I Refinance My Mortgage?

Refinancing your home is an option many people tend to overlook. This might be because they think conventional refinancing won’t help their financial situation, or they simply give up because they’re overwhelmed by the financial mumbo-jumbo associated with…

Cutting Costs: The Dos And Don’ts Of Refinancing Your Home Loan

Homeowners often take the opportunity to refinance their mortgage when they find lowered interest rates or have improved credit scores. According to data from 2016, household income has grown by 28% in the past 13 years, but…

3 Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Mortgage

Mortgage loans can be complex and tough to get through, but you shouldn’t just pick one and call it a day. If you’re shopping for mortgages, here are a few tips to ensure you come out on top.

3 Tips for Refinancing as Mortgage Rates Rise

In the current economic climate, many people are weighing the pros and cons of refinancing their homes. Refinancing is a popular way to balance finances and reduce mortgage rates. Of course, refinancing is by no means a simple process, and keeping some straightforward…

Refinancing: What It Is, Some of the Benefits, and a Few of the Basic Fees

Refinancing your home can be a great option for many reasons, and there are several types of refinancing available to you to do so. Although, refinancing can be a complex process that can hold high risks and multiple variables. If you choose to refinance, you should…

Mortgages 101: What You Should Know About Refinancing Your Home

Did you know that 2016 data reveals an alarming fact about the cost of living? While household income has grown 28% in the last 13 years, cost of living has increased 30% at the same time. What it costs an individual to live is increasing faster…

4 Considerations to Make Before Applying for a Home Loan

Making the decision to purchase a home is a significant step in anyone’s life. So before you begin shopping around for mortgages, it’s important to do some research and figure out exactly what type of home loan will be best for you. So if you’re looking to apply for a…

Think You Can’t Get a Home Loan? Think Again.

Home loans are easier to secure than ever, and in Shasta County, there’s plenty of help for anyone who wants one. Mainly this is because of government-subsidized home loans like FHA loans, and USDA loans. In this article, we will cover some of the options for…

Tips for finding home loans in Redding, CA

Securing a home loan can be daunting, especially in the initial phases of your search - before you have even decided on what loan you want. We’ll teach you how to fix your credit, decide on a price, and shop around for a loan. Sometimes, this can be the hardest part…

How Covid-19 Can Affect Your Mortgage

If you’re like most Americans, COVID-19 has changed your life in some way. You may be working from home, or have lost some of your income. You might be an essential worker, under more stress at work than ever before. If you have any children, they may be going to…

What Causes Home Prices to Fluctuate In California

If you’re wondering why California home prices fluctuate, there are a number of factors to consider. You may hear that there is a buyer’s market and a seller’s market. When home prices are lower, it is a buyers market; when they are higher, it is a seller’s market.

How Conventional Loans and Refinancing Work

According to the Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, more than half of all home buyers – 59% to be exact – chose conventional mortgages when they needed home loans. Many of those homeowners will refinance their conventional loans at some point, as…

How to find out if you’re eligible for USDA loans

Figuring out if you’re eligible for a USDA (US Department of Agriculture) loan through the USDA’s official site is unfortunately somewhat difficult, so in this article we’re making it simple.

The power of Megastar Financial right here in Redding CA

Megastar Financial is a national mortgage bank. We like to call it a bank that’s “big enough to help but small enough to care.” That is, we offer all the great service customers expect from national mortgage banks and we do it in a very personable way. Megastar…

Eddy Price

Eddy price is a realtor for Aspire Real Estate. He has been licensed for over 14 years. Eddy specializes in residential work for buyers and sellers. He has known Matt Brown for about three years, and worked with him on a number of projects. He describes Matt as “Quick…

Frank Trotter

Frank Trotter is a realtor with Venture Properties. He has been helping buyers purchase residential properties and investment properties for 32 years. He guides buyers through the selection process, writes the offer, negotiates the contract, and represents them all…

Bryan Chamberlin

Bryan Chamberlin is a realtor with Venture Properties. He has represented buyers and sellers looking for home loans in the Redding and Shasta County area for six years, though he has lived in Redding for 17 years. He has known Mortgage Matt for several years, and…

Danit Dollar

Danit Dollar is a realtor with U Save Real Estate. She has been with the business for nearly 7 years, and has a lot to say about the good work her company does, remarking on the knowledge, experience, and diverse backgrounds of the team. In her experience with…

© Matt Brown - Megastar Financial Corp. All Rights Reserved.| Local Businesses

MEGASTAR FINANCIAL CORP. is an Equal Housing Lender. DBO Lic # 603 G365 NMLS Lic # 235828(3043)*
Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight (DBO) under the California Finance Lenders Act * NMLS # 1162668.
As prohibited by federal law, we do not engage in business practices that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, marital status, age (provided you have the capacity to enter into a binding contract), because all or part of your income may be derived from any public assistance program, or because you have, in good faith, exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. We are regulated by the Fair Housing Act (overseen by HUD) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (overseen by CFPB), Washington, DC, 20580.

Megastar Financial is an Equal Housing Lender  FHA Approved Lending Institution  Mortgage Bankers Association  Better Business Bureau A+ Rating  Top 100 Mortgage Companies 2011-2016

Loan scenario:

Example of 30 year mortgage:
$300,000 sales price, $60,000 down payment, $240,000 loan amount, 360 months, 3% interest rate, 3.132% APR, $1,029 Principle and Interest monthly payments, Payment does not include taxes, insurance premiums or HOA dues. The actual payment amount will be greater. Rates shown valid on publication date of June 29th, 2020. This example is for a conventional, not jumbo, mortgage product; there are restrictive upper loan amounts for conventional loans based on the property’s location. Example given requires a minimum 740 credit score with a debt to income ratio of under 45%. Applicant must be employed. This is not a promise to lend. All terms and conditions are based on the subject property, the applicant’s credit worthiness and the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.
15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage:
The payment on a $300,000 15-year fixed-rate loan at 2.723% and 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is $1,626. The annual percentage rate (APR) is 3.178%. Payment does not include taxes and insurance premiums. The actual payment amount will be greater. Rates shown valid on publication date of June 29th, 2020. This example is for a conventional, not jumbo, mortgage product; there are restrictive upper loan amounts for conventional loans based on the property’s location. Example given requires a minimum 740 credit score with a debt to income ratio of under 45%. Applicant must be employed. This is not a promise to lend. All terms and conditions are based on the subject property, the applicant’s credit worthiness and the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.

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