Home Purchase
Refinance & Equity
Self Employed Borrowers
Investment Property Financing
Hi, I’m Athena Paquette
As a mortgage broker in Torrance, I’ve been helping people get home loans since 1990. In that time I have helped people stay in their homes after divorce, first time buyers secure a home loan, retired couples purchase a vacation home, and new investors finance property.
In fact, 80% of my business comes from referrals by satisfied clients. Why? Because I work tirelessly to find you right loan, explain the process in plain English, and advocate on your behalf with the lenders.
So, whether you are a first time home buyer or investor, single or married, working or retired, you have questions and I have solutions.
Call me today for a free 90-minute consultation to discuss your loan options at 310-218-6855 or email me at Athena@AthenaPaquette.com
“The Financial Freedom is Within Your Reach!”
“I believe that through knowledge and discipline, financial peace is possible for all of us.”
Dave Ramsey
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RECENT TIPS AND RELEVANT ARTICLES
What is a mortgage?
I have talked about this before but I think it is worth revisiting after our talk last week about the prime rate. A mortgage is a loan or debt that is secured by real estate. In some states it is also the word used for the lien that is put on the property to secure...
How raising the prime rate makes mortgage rates go down
I have talked about this before but I think it is worth revisiting after our talk last week about the prime rate. The Federal Reserve raised the Fed Funds rate (often confused with the prime rate) by 0.75% this week.to 1.75% it was 0.25% a year ago. The highest 1-day...
Mortgage Minute – ARMS and HYBRIDS
What do you do when mortgage interest rates jump up 2% in 4 months? Don’t go LONG, go SHORT use a HYBRID ARM loan ARM means adjustable-rate mortgage. But some people are not comfortable with the idea that their mortgage payment and that the interest rate will start...
Mortgage Minute – Adjustable rate mortgages or ARMS
When rates go up, we usually see a switch over from the 30 year fixed to ARM loans. Why go LONG at a high rate when you can go short at a lower interest rate and get the upfront savings? People do this to help ease the payment shock of rates going up and to help them...
Mortgage Minute – Understanding how a mortgage works
Understanding how a mortgage works helps you get ahead in the financial game. A mortgage is a debt paid over time unlike rent that can be adjusted (usually increased not decreased) at the whim of the landlord, the mortgage is a contract with set terms. Yes it’s...
What is the impact of interest rates on prices, qualifying and cash flow and how to know which is too high?
In June 2021 the 30 year fixed hit it’s lowest in history for a blip at 2.375% 30 year fixed owner occupied confirming loan limit which at the time was $546,000. A mortgage of $546,000 at 2.375% 30 year fixed conforming rate gave you a payment of $2122.04. If you...
What is a Homeowners’ Exemption
Success Story: What is a homeowners' $7000 tax exemption, and do I have that? The Homeowners' exemption is a property tax reduction given to you by the entity which calculates or assesses your tax amount. Here it's LA county tax assessor who does this. As a...
Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval
How much quicker can you make acquiring your new home if you get pre-approved for a mortgage? The biggest reason people fall out of escrow is that their loan qualification wasn’t fully vetted. They did a pre-qualification versus a pre-approval. They either didn’t talk...
Is a 15 or a 30 year mortgage better?
I love this question! Why? Because this was me - when I was 23 and self-employed I bought my first home and was of the mindset to pay off my home as soon as possible. I went further and took out an actual 15 year fixed mortgage figuring I better force myself to so...
Do all mortgage lenders charge origination fees?
Origination fees and points, also known as discount points (though technically not the same) are tied to the rate you are being charged. Origination Points/Fees Origination points and discount points are money you pay upfront to lower the rate. So technically a...