Ripsime Ter-Galstyan

Hello Jackson, While every lender has its own requirements, here are some general guidelines: 620+ Often the minimum credit score for many conventional loans. 580+ You may qualify for an FHA loan with a lower down payment. 500"579 Some FHA loans may still be available, but you'll typically need a larger down payment. Keep in mind that your credit score is only one part of the entire process. Lenders also look at your income, employment history, debt-to-income ratio, savings, and the amount of your down payment. If your credit score isn't where you'd like it to be, don't be discouraged! There are often simple steps you can take to improve it: Pay all of your bills on time, payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score, so setting up automatic payments or reminders can help. Keep your credit card balances low, aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, and under 10% is even better if possible. Avoid opening several new credit accounts, every new application can temporarily lower your score, so only apply for credit when you truly need it. Don't close old credit cards, keeping older accounts open can help your credit history and maintain your available credit. Check your credit report for errors, review your report for mistakes, such as incorrect late payments or accounts that aren't yours, and dispute any inaccuracies. Pay down existing debt, reducing credit card balances and other debts can improve both your credit score and your mortgage qualification. If you're hoping to buy a home within the next 6"12 months, talk to a mortgage lender before making major financial changes. They can tell you exactly what improvements will have the biggest impact on your ability to qualify. Hope this was helpful! Ripsime Ter-Galstyan, Real Estate Agent at JohnHart Real Estate

Hi Jen, the pros of choosing a new construction usually are you get a move in ready home, everything is brand new, so you can often avoid major repairs for several years. Like you mentioned energy efficient, new homes typically feature better insulation, energy-efficient windows, smart thermostats, and newer HVAC systems, which may help reduce utility bills. There are modern floor plans options with provide the open-concept living spaces, larger kitchens, walk-in closets, and home offices which are a few common features. Many builders include warranties covering structural components and certain systems for a specified period. You can also always customize depending on the construction stage, you may be able to choose flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and finishes. Lastly it is lower maintenance because you do have new roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances which generally will require less upkeep initially. The Cons could be higher purchase price compared to similar-sized older homes. Smaller lot sizes are common in many new developments. HOA fees are more common in new communities. New neighborhoods may still be under construction, creating noise and traffic. Also keep in mind if you do have children, schools, shopping, parks, and restaurants may be farther away if the community is newly developed. To answer your question about HOA restrictions in new builds, many new construction communities are governed by a homeowner's association (HOA), which helps maintain the neighborhood but also comes with rules and fees. I would definitely think about the following questions if you do buy in a HOA governed community: What are the monthly HOA dues, and what do they cover? Landscaping, pools, parks, security, exterior maintenance, etc. Are there any special assessments planned? These are one-time fees homeowners may be required to pay for major repairs or improvements. Are there restrictions on exterior changes? This may include paint colors, fencing, landscaping, solar panels, sheds, or holiday decorations. Are there parking rules? Find out if street parking, RVs, boats, or commercial vehicles are restricted. Are pets subject to breed, size, or quantity limits? What amenities are included? Compare the HOA cost with the value of the community features you'll use. Hope this helps answer your questions! Ripsime Ter-Galstyan DRE 02374450

A pre-qualification is a quick estimate and is the first step in the mortgage process. It is based largely on information you provide to the lender about your income, debts, assets, and credit score. Usually, extensive documentation is not being reviewed. With a pre-qualification you can get an estimate of how much you may be able to borrow and an idea of your monthly payments. A pre-approval is a more detailed review which involved a lender looking more thoroughly over your finances. When you start to work with the lender for a pre-approval you will need to provide pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, employment verification, and credit check. Once you have your pre-approval letter you have a more accurate borrowing amount and it makes your more competitive once you do find your home and put in an offer. Ripsime Ter-Galstyan DRE 02374450

Hi Sara, When we were buying our first home we paid attention to foundation how we did this is walk around the house and check if the floor looks slanted, paid attention to creaking sounds, made sure there was no soft spots/dips. We paid attention to the plumbing, turned on all the faucets made sure there was no leaks under the sink and that water pressure was strong. We checked the windows to make sure they are dual-pane. We also paid attention to the natural sunlight coming into the house since we were very big on having natural light throughout the day. Hopefully this helps! Ripsime Ter-Galstyan DRE 02374450

If you're buying in Redding, wildfire insurance should be a major consideration, but not necessarily a reason to avoid the area altogether. Think of wildfire insurance in Redding as something that should be evaluated before making an offer, not after you're under contract. Some neighborhoods in and around Redding are considered higher wildfire risk due to nearby vegetation, hillsides, and proximity to open space. Insurance premiums can vary dramatically from one property to another even homes only a few miles apart can have very different quotes. I have a blog post on this go check it out: https://ripsime.jhagents.com/blog/2026/06/16/navigating-homeowners-insurance-in-californias-fire-prone-areas Ripsime Ter-Galstyan DRE 02374450