Introduction As we enter the month of August, many prospective homebuyers face the August homebuying rush as they work to secure a mortgage before Labor Day. This period can be both exciting and overwhelming, as the market tends to be…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA First-Time Buyer Down Payment: How Little You Actually Need in Sonoma County A first-time buyer in Sonoma County may need as little as 3% down on a conventional loan, or 3.5%…
Introduction As the end of July approaches, many families are preparing for the back-to-school season. This period is not just about stocking up on school supplies; it’s also a strategic time for families considering a move to a new home.…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA Real Estate Contingencies Explained: The Big Three and When to Waive Them Real estate contingencies are safety nets written into your purchase contract that let you back out without losing your…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA 80/10/10 Loan: How We Beat PMI and a Jumbo Rate on a $1M Petaluma Home An 80/10/10 loan is a piggyback structure: a first mortgage for 80% of the price, a…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA Earnest Money Deposit: What It Is, and When You Could Lose It An earnest money deposit is a good faith deposit, usually 1 to 3% of the offer price, that you…
Introduction As we move deeper into the summer months, the real estate market often experiences a surge in activity. August, in particular, can be a competitive time for homebuyers. With more daylight hours and the desire to settle before the…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA Pre-Qualified vs Pre-Approved: What’s the Difference, and Which Do You Need? A pre-qualification is an informal estimate based on what you tell a lender, with nothing verified. A pre-approval means your…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA HELOC vs Cash-Out Refinance: How to Tap Your Home Equity Without Losing Your Low Rate A HELOC lets you borrow against your home equity through a second loan, so your first…
July 2026 | GTG Financial | Santa Rosa, CA TL;DR: What’s in This Post The price-vs-credit reframe: same to the seller, different for you Why knocking $1,000 off the price only saves about $7 a month How to put a…
