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When it comes to securing a home loan, the choices can be overwhelming. Should you go to a bank, an online lender, or consider an independent mortgage professional? The decision can significantly impact your experience and the terms of your loan. Here, we outline why opting for a mortgage broker, like Doug Bullwinkel from E Mortgage Capital, can make a significant difference.

1. Personalized Service: Unlike large banks or faceless online lenders, independent mortgage brokers offer unmatched personalized service. Doug Bullwinkel and his team at E Mortgage Capital provide a hands-on approach, guiding you through every step of the loan process with a level of attention and care that larger institutions simply cannot match.
2. Access to Multiple Lenders: Mortgage brokers have access to a broad range of lenders, allowing them to shop around for the best rates and terms tailored to your unique financial situation. This competitive edge ensures you get the most favorable deal possible, which could mean substantial savings over the life of your loan.
3. Faster Closings: Time is often of the essence when securing a home loan. Brokers can typically get you to the closing table faster, with an average time frame of just 20 days. This efficiency can make all the difference in a competitive housing market where delays could cost you your dream home.
4. Lower Interest Rates: Working with a broker can often result in lower interest rates. Brokers have access to wholesale rates, which are some of the lowest available in the industry. This can translate into significant savings over the course of your mortgage.
5. Expertise in Mortgages: Independent mortgage professionals specialize in home loans – it’s their primary focus. Their deep expertise means they are adept at navigating the complexities of the mortgage process, ensuring that you have a smooth and hassle-free experience.
6. Advanced Technology: Modern mortgage brokers, like those at E Mortgage Capital, utilize the latest technology to streamline the loan application process. This technology allows you to apply for your mortgage online, track your loan progress in real-time, and stay informed every step of the way.

Why Choose Doug Bullwinkel and E Mortgage Capital?

Doug Bullwinkel, with his extensive experience and commitment to client satisfaction, represents the epitome of what a mortgage broker should be. He provides unmatched, personalized service, ensuring that each client receives the attention and care they deserve. With Doug, you’re not just a number; you’re a valued client with unique needs and goals.

Contact Information:

• Doug Bullwinkel, E Mortgage Capital, Inc.
• Phone: (916) 295-0044
• Email: dbullwinkel@emortgagecapital.com
• Website: www.Coploans.com
• NMLS: 281609, DRE: 00424869

Choosing to work with an independent mortgage professional like Doug Bullwinkel can make a significant difference in your home loan experience. From securing better rates to providing personalized, expert guidance, the benefits are clear. Don’t leave your home loan to chance – consider a mortgage broker and enjoy a smoother, more advantageous path to homeownership.

I watched a made for TV movie the other night about the Green River Killer, a serial killer that murdered between 60 and 100 women in Washington State over a period of many years. This killer was about as evil of a person that ever existed, and he killed with no remorse. After he was caught and convicted, he was asked by the lead detective “on a scale of one to five, with five being the most evil, where would you rate yourself”? The convicted killer thought about the question for a few seconds and then calmly said “THREE”. Needless to say, this was quite a shocking statement, but it made me think about how differently we might perceive ourselves compared to how others perceive us. It’s very troubling when someone so evil can think that he’s “not that bad”, but it can be just as unsettling when someone sees you as something that you’re not. How often have your own noble motives been viewed by others as something quite different?

Most of us go through our lives trying to do the right thing and it can be very frustrating when our intentions are misunderstood. Our image or brand is the most important thing that we have. It’s who we are and our credibility depends on how we are perceived. We need to be aware of how others see us and we must strive to constantly improve that image. Can we really expect others to rate us a “five” unless we can honestly rate ourselves as a “five”.
Where would you rate yourself on a scale of one to five, with five being the best you can be? Do others think of you the same way and where do you think others would rate you today?

NOTE: Doug Bullwinkel is a licensed California Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS #281609 for E Mortgage Capital, Inc. with over 30 years in the Real Estate and Mortgage Industry. He specializes in Niche loan programs including the VA and CalVet for Veterans, FHA, USDA, FNMA, CalHFA, Grants and more. His website is www.VALender.com.
Doug can be reached at (916) 295-0044 for more information.

Moderate Income Buyers can now receive Down Payment Assistance for their Home Purchases using FHA Financing through E Mortgage Capital, Inc. Saving funds for a down payment has always been a challenge and this can delay a buyer’s ability to qualify for a new home mortgage, no matter what the interest rate.

FHA Home Loans require a small down payment. These funds must come from the buyer’s funds, a gift from a Relative, a loan or withdrawal from the buyers 401K or other retirement account, or from an approved “Down Payment Assistance Program”.

Currently there are TWO options for this assistance. Some down payment programs can be an additional loan to be used for down payment. As any other loan, this will need to be repaid at some point. The second option is a Grant that does not have to be repaid, but may require you to remain in the home for a minimum of 3 years in order to be forgiven. Both options are subject to county limits for income and purchase price. Current income and purchase price ceilings for these programs will vary per county in California. Please call me anytime and I can provide that specific information for you.

First Option: CalHFA for First Time Buyers. (California Housing Fund Agency) There are several options using FHA, VA or Conventional loans, combined with secondary financing. Must be owner-occupied and requires that you have not owned a primary residence for the past 3 years. Homebuyer Education Course is required and must be completed on-line prior to close of escrow.

Second Option: As a California Mortgage Broker, I can place your loan through several lending sources that now offer very competitive programs for down payment assistance.

With the help of these down payment assistance programs, and a seller willing to help with the buyers closing costs, a Qualified Homebuyer can purchase a home and close escrow with very little up front investment. If they are a bit short of their own funds, a gift from a Relative is allowed. So What Are You Waiting For? Time to go out and buy a house today!

Many Disabled Veterans are not aware of all the potential benefits they are entitled to. It is my job, as a lender, to properly interview the Veteran to determine what he or she might be eligible for, in addition to the standard VA Home Loan Benefit.

Most Veterans are eligible for the VA Home Loan Program that allows for No Down Payment financing for most loan amounts. Jumbo Loan Amounts are available too, and VA loans have No Mortgage Insurance. All VA loan approvals are subject to credit, income, asset and appraisal requirements.

VA Loans require an up front, financed Funding Fee on all first time users of the VA Loan Benefit. The amount is added to the base loan amount, making the total loan amount the purchase price + the funding fee. On subsequent use of the VA Loan Benefit, the funding fee is higher. Veterans with 10% or more disability rating are eligible for the VA Funding Fee to be waived.

Many Disabled Veterans are NOT aware of the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption that is available to them. A 100% Disabled Veteran in California is entitled to a property tax exemption. That exemption reduces the county property tax up to a certain dollar amount that will vary per county. Contact your loan County Assessor’s office for details on the exemption amount for your county.

If you do not have a VA disability rating, contact me for a discussion on potential benefits you may qualify for. I can put you in contact with a VA advocate who can determine if you might qualify for a disability claim and potential lifetime, tax free income.

Other Benefits for Disabled Veterans in California include waiver of DMV registration fees, free license plates and reduced annual fees for fishing and hunting licenses. Spouses, registered domestic partners, children under age of 27 and unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran with service-connected disability or who dies as a result of service related causes may qualify for waiver of mandatory tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus.

Veterans have put everything on the line to protect us, so it’s our responsibility to make sure that we help make them aware of all benefits to which they are entitled. They need to go to the FRONT of the line for short sales and REO’s, not the BACK of the line where they currently are in many areas. While most of us have been safe in our homes, they have been away from their families for extended periods of time, taking care of us. Now it’s time for all of us to “STEP UP” to do whatever we can to help these HEROE’S to purchase a home for their families and share the American Dream. It’s the least we can do for them.

Please visit my website: www.VALender.com to obtain a CA State Veterans Benefits Booklet at no cost.

TRUST is not something to be taken lightly.

It’s not something you can buy, and it can turn to dust if not properly maintained. It takes a great deal to earn it, but it can be lost in an instant. What is trust and how do we get it in the first place?

We are all born innocent and we immediately trust everyone. Initially that can be a good thing until we get a little older and it becomes something dangerous in the world we live in. At some point, we all have to be taught to distrust in order to survive. I’m sure you remember learning about the dangerous stranger when growing up. That’s about the time kid’s start seeing monsters in the closet and under the bed. It can be a confusing time during this transition from pure innocence and unconditional trust, to suspicion and distrust. This is when the first taste of fear can enter our lives. This is necessary as it can make us less vulnerable to dangerous situations and increase our ability to survive.

As we grow from childhood to become adults, we have to modify those ideas in order to adapt to our roles in society. We inherently want to trust others, but our life experience has taught us not to. We try to balance the need to trust people with the reality of fear and suspicion, and we learn to selectively mistrust. As time goes on, we eventually find the need to have others trust us in order to function in society. So how do we become trustworthy and let others know that we are?

There are different types of trust. The first type would be what I call assigned trust. The military is a good example of this. You are put into a group and immediately forced to trust others with your life, as they must trust you with theirs. You don’t get to pick who you trust, you must trust other members of your team in order to survive. Police and firefighters have much the same assigned trust in their lives. If this breaks down, the team is weakened and all become vulnerable. They must rely on each other and trust each member of the team to protect each other. This type of bond may stay with members of these groups for the rest of their lives. Once you’re a part of one of these groups, you’re always considered a trusted member.

In the business world, we have to create trust through credibility, or what I call “earned” trust. Google the word “credibility” and you will find it combines elements of trustworthiness and expertise. To earn someone’s trust, you must demonstrate reliability and possess experience with the necessary credentials for your position. Without credibility, it is very difficult to establish trust in any business relationship.

It doesn’t matter if we are Realtors, Mortgage Lenders, Home Stagers or Contractors; we all need to establish trust with a potential client, quickly and professionally. We only have a matter of seconds or minutes at the most, to make a lasting impression on the person we want to do business with. Having a polished, concise presentation goes a long way in making your first impression a positive one. Listening is an even more important part of the process. A balance between giving information and getting information is critical if you are going to have credibility and trust in your business relationships.

A referral from a satisfied client gives you INITIAL CREDIBILITY with your new client. It can save you time and energy, so you can more quickly move on to the task of helping the client to meet their needs. Almost as good as receiving a referral is meeting a member of one of the assigned trust groups that you belong to. Those lifetime bonds that we establish early in life will allow the potential client to immediately have some degree of trust with us, as those initial bonds don’t go away. While trust groups that have shared being in harm’s way are the strongest bonds, other groups such as college fraternities, clubs, churches, organizations and alumni still offer an edge over your competitors who don’t share those past relationships. That will help to get you in the door, but it’s what you do from that point that will determine if you succeed or fail. Just remember that once there is a BROKEN TRUST or betrayal, that relationship can never be repaired.

As a Mortgage Loan Originator, I truly believe that TRUST, CREDIBILITY, EXPERTISE, and RESPONSIBILITY are the most important elements in creating and keeping our business relationships. It’s a powerful combination that will make it difficult for anyone to compete against.

With over three decades in the mortgage industry, I have helped countless clients achieve their dream of home ownership. If you are considering a home purchase or refinance, I would love to have a conversation with you and YOU can determine for yourself if I am worthy of your trust.