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How to Avoid the Most Common Landmines When Trying to Get a Mortgage: From Application to Funding

by Athena Paquette | August 21, 2026 | Blog, Home Buyers, Home Owners | 0 Comments

Getting approved for a mortgage can be an exciting process, but it also requires careful attention to your financial picture. During the 30–60 days it can take to get from application to funding, even seemingly small financial changes can affect your loan.   Here are...
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FHA Myths: 5 Common Misconceptions About FHA Loans

by Athena Paquette | August 21, 2026 | Blog, Home Buyers, Home Owners | 0 Comments

FHA is one of the most powerful loan programs available, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Old information from decades ago still influences conversations today—from real estate agents and sellers to hopeful homebuyers. Let’s clear up some of the biggest...
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VantageScore® vs. FICO® Score: What’s the Difference?

by Athena Paquette | August 21, 2026 | Blog, Home Buyers, Home Owners | 0 Comments

If you have ever checked your credit score and then had a lender tell you that your mortgage credit score is different, you may have wondered: Which score is correct?   The answer is: both scores can be correct.   This occurs because the consumer score you get may be...
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Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You or Someone You Know?

by Athena Paquette | August 21, 2026 | Blog, Home Buyers, Home Owners | 0 Comments

As the cost of living continues to rise, managing expenses on a fixed retirement income can become challenging. When your income is relatively stable but everyday costs continue to increase, you may start looking for other ways to create additional cash flow.   One...
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Introduction

I’m a mortgage broker, financial advocate, and consultant conveniently located in Torrance, California.  I have over 30 years in the mortgage brokerage business, and I’m a property investor who’s owned and managed apartment buildings since my 20’s. I have an insider’s perspective when it comes to buying property, managing from afar and finding the best debt to finance properties of all types loans.

Publications

Your Mortgage Advisor
Now, Not Later!
Just the facts

Mortgage Broker in Torrance CA with over 30 years experience.

Bureau of Real Estate, License #01142629; NMLS #321683.

Member of the National Association Mortgage Underwriters,  American Association of Private Lenders, Association of Financial Educators 

Torrance Adult School, Instructor, Real Estate Investment Classes.



Athena is incredibly knowledgeable in the field of finance, lending and wealth management.  I have worked with Athena for well over 15 years now and she never ceases to amaze me with her abilities.  I am usually very hesitant to refer or recommend anything these days, which is NOT the case with Athena; her work ethic and integrity coupled with her knowledge is a powerful winning combo that can only serve her clients well with awesome results!!
Dar C., Torrance

Athena Paquette
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Two Ways to Avoid PMI. This Answer May Surprise You

Two Ways to Avoid PMI. This Answer May Surprise You

by Athena Paquette | Apr 9, 2016 | Blog, Home Owners, Investors, Realtors

If you have less than 20% down, you have to pay PMI. FALSE. There are 2 ways to avoid PMI. One is to do what we called tandem financing or a “piggyback loan.” The first bigger loan is 80% of the price of the home, as if you have 20% down. Then we give you a second...
Do You Qualify for a Mortgage?

Do You Qualify for a Mortgage?

by Athena Paquette | Mar 12, 2016 | Blog, Home Owners, Investors, Realtors

I love helping people find solutions! I had a young man come in to get qualified for a mortgage because he was about to inherit a home. Actually, he had already inherited it, had been living there, but when his mom passed away he was too young, too new on the job and...
True or False: You Need 2 Years of Tax Returns to Qualify?

True or False: You Need 2 Years of Tax Returns to Qualify?

by Athena Paquette | Feb 19, 2016 | Blog, Home Owners, Investors, Realtors

FALSE! At times Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s automated underwriting system (DU and LP) will calculate that a borrower has good enough credit or enough equity or enough cash reserves where they find this borrower is low risk and therefore only needs to present 1 tax...
How You Can Refinance to Have a Home Worth Thousands!

How You Can Refinance to Have a Home Worth Thousands!

by Athena Paquette | Jan 30, 2016 | Blog, Home Owners, Investors, Realtors

Client graduates from Pharmacy school with $170,000 in student loan debt. No, that’s not the win, but here it is. She bought a home with her hubby while in school. They bought March of 2012 for $410,000. Put 20% down. Now the house is worth $550,000-600,000 and she...
Couple Manages to Get Money for Retirement

Couple Manages to Get Money for Retirement

by Athena Paquette | Nov 20, 2015 | Blog, Home Owners, Investors, Realtors

Clients who bought their home in 2005 for $580,000 and saw the value drop to $350,000 have finally seen their neighbor this month sell for $600,000. Yes they now can refi their 0 down loan from 2005. They still have a 6.1% interest only loan, and have not paid extra;...
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Latest Updates

  • How to Avoid the Most Common Landmines When Trying to Get a Mortgage: From Application to Funding
  • FHA Myths: 5 Common Misconceptions About FHA Loans
  • VantageScore® vs. FICO® Score: What’s the Difference?
  • Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You or Someone You Know?
  • Points or No Points: Which Is Right for You?

Address

21250 Hawthorne Blvd, 5th Floor
Torrance, CA 90503
Cell: 310-218-6855
E-Fax: 424-702-3235
Office hours: 1130am to 730pm M-Th

 

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Athena Paquette, M.A.

Real Estate Broker
CA Bureau of Real Estate # 01142629
NMLS # 321683

Disclaimer

Athena Paquette offers educational information so you can make an informed investment decision. We do not endorse any particular investment, and we do not provide tax, legal, accounting, investment, or other professional advice. Please know that investing in any asset involves risk and you should therefore consult tax, legal and financial experts before investing as individual results may vary.

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