SB9 California Eligibility Guide

Stephen Palermo Visalialoanofficer Visalia Loan Officer sitting at his desk Gold Standard Mortgage explaining SB9 ADU

SB9 California Eligibility Guide California housing rules continue to evolve. One law now creating opportunity is SB9 California Eligibility Guide information for homeowners. This law allows more housing on single-family property. Many homeowners now explore duplex construction or property splits. However, financing and planning still matter. Before starting any SB9 project, I recommend understanding mortgage…

Read More

Fed Holds Steady 8/01/25

Image of Stephen Palermo Visalia Loan Officer sitting in his office explaing How to Use a Co-Signer for Your Mortgage

Fed Holds Steady—with Stephen Palermo Fed Holds Steady 8/01/25. That decision impacts mortgage rates, especially in today’s market climate. As your trusted Visalia loan officer, I’ve seen how these moves directly affect homebuyers across California. The Federal Reserve continues its cautious approach while inflation remains somewhat elevated. Political Pressure Builds Political pressure builds as leaders…

Read More

VA Loan Assumption Guide

Image of Stephen Palermo sitting at his desk explaining New build or existing home

VA Loan Assumption Guide—with Stephen Palermo Assuming a VA loan can unlock opportunities for both buyers and sellers. As your trusted Visalia loan officer, I’ll explain how VA loan assumptions work and how they might benefit you. Whether you’re looking for Visalia housing loan solutions or just curious about assumable loans, this guide covers everything…

Read More

CalHFA Conventional Program

Profile picture of Stephen Palermo loan officer with Gold Standard Mortgage explaining Understanding Mortgage Refinancing

CalHFA Conventional Program Guide—with Stephen Palermo Your CalHFA Program Overview The CalHFA Conventional Program offers fixed-rate mortgages with support for first-time buyers. As your trusted Visalia loan officer, I help you understand how the CalHFA Conventional Program works and how to qualify. With Visalia housing loan solutions tailored to your needs, I make sure you’re…

Read More

The CalPLUS FHA Program

Image of Stephen Palermo Visalia Loan Officer sitting in his office explaing How to Use a Co-Signer for Your Mortgage

CalPLUS FHA Program Overview—with Stephen Palermo The CalPLUS FHA Program Overview is perfect for first-time buyers needing help with closing costs and low down payments. I’m Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage, and as your trusted Visalia loan officer, I’m here to help you navigate Visalia housing loan solutions like this one. Program Eligibility Details…

Read More

Bonus & Commission Based Mortgage

Image of Stephen Palermo sitting at his desk explaining New build or existing home

Getting a Loan on Bonus & Commission—with Stephen Palermo Getting a loan on commission income is possible. But it takes strategy, documents, and help from a knowledgeable expert like me. As Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage, I help clients like you navigate this every day. If you’re earning on commission, here’s what you need…

Read More

Latest mortgage rate trends in Visalia

Image of Stephen Palermo sitting in front of Visalia Office Gold Standard mortgage Logo explaining Buy With No Down

Mortgage Rate Trends—with Stephen Palermo As of May 27, 2025, mortgage rates trends in Visalia have shown slight fluctuations. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averages around 6.90%, while the 15-year fixed rate holds steady at 6.11% . These rates are influenced by various economic factors, including bond market activities and Federal Reserve policies. Understanding Rate…

Read More

Pros/Cons of Rental Properties

Profile picture of Stephen Palermo loan officer with Gold Standard Mortgage explaining Understanding Mortgage Refinancing

Rental Property Guide: Is Rental Property Worth It?—with Stephen Palermo Rental Property Overview Is rental property worth it? That’s a question many new investors ask. As your trusted Visalia loan officer, I help clients evaluate smart real estate moves. Buying rental property can be rewarding, but also risky. Success depends on planning, budgeting, and understanding…

Read More

What Is an Assumable Mortgage?

Image of Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard mortgage standing in Visalia discussing What Is a Credit Score?

What Is an Assumable Mortgage—with Stephen Palermo, Your Trusted Visalia Loan Officer If you’re considering purchasing a home, you may have heard the term “assumable mortgage.” In simple terms, an assumable mortgage allows a buyer to take over an existing mortgage from the seller, assuming the same interest rate, repayment period, and balance. Instead of…

Read More

Unlock Savings with a Rate-and-Term Refinance in Visalia

Image of Stephen Palermo sitting at his desk explaining Condo Financing Explained

Rate-and-Term Refinance: A Smarter Move for Your Mortgage—with Stephen Palermo Refinancing can help homeowners save money. A rate-and-term refinance may be one of the smartest choices available. It allows you to lower your mortgage interest rate, reduce monthly payments, or change the length of your loan. For homeowners in Visalia, this option brings significant savings…

Read More