At Bay Equity Home Loans, we know there’s no place like a home for the Holidays.

But as the New Year dawns, it's time to make long-term plans too.

The New Year always begins with New Year’s resolutions – with a list nearly always topped by getting fit (i.e. giving up fatty food, alcohol or smoking), getting organized or taking better care of finances.

Our Bay Equity Loan Officers are experts in helping customers make a similar list of resolutions. After the presents are all opened, and the good dishes are put away, what's better than kicking up your feet with your loved ones? Well into its second decade, the folks at Bay Equity are busy helping our clients achieve these holiday dreams all year round.

The home-buying season used to kick off sometime in spring, as the snow began to melt and people tried to plan for a summer move-in. But in recent years, the limited supply of homes for sale has spurred buyers to start their hunt earlier and earlier.

A recent analysis showed January was the hottest month for listing views in about 20% of the nation's largest housing markets, as shoppers try to get ahead of the competition.

Many house hunters move in winter from other parts of the country for jobs and don't have a choice about the timing. Other buyers want to find a house early so they can move over the summer, when the kids are out of school.

Let us help you make it a happy New Homeowner’s Year, too.

Ready to get started?

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  Credit Check:

  
  

  Good credit is key to getting a mortgage but it takes discipline and planning. First, find out what your score is. Credit experts stress paying bills on time, understanding the impact of opening up checking/savings accounts and using credit cards carefully.

  
  


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  How much?

  
  

  Figure out how much you can spend. Don’t forget to consider closing costs, ongoing maintenance and insurance, too. Experts recommend you spend no more than 36 percent of your income on housing costs.

  
  


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  Down Payment facts:

  
  

  The required 20 percent down payment requirement is mostly myth! Nearly 40 percent of first-time home buyers pay less! Bay Equity loan officers can help you access many down payment assistance programs, some as low as 3 percent.

  
  


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  Choose the right mortgage for you:

  
  

  Most people choose a fixed rate mortgage, but there are some people for whom an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) makes sense. Let our Bay Equity loan officers be your teacher and guide.

  
  


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  Pre-approval:

  
  

  At Bay Equity, we always recommend pre-approval BEFORE you begin your home search. Pre-approval helps you set a price range on the home you can afford, and it lets sellers know you mean business. A pre-approval letter from your Bay Equity loan officer is a great step toward a successful offer!

  
  

Bay Equity Home Loans can help you make your dream of home ownership possible sooner than you may realize. Our resolution is to serve the communities in which we do business, providing a wide array of home loan options including conventional, VA, USDA, refinance, Jumbo and more.