The CalPLUS FHA Program

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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…

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Understanding and Avoiding Predatory Lending

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Understanding and Avoiding Predatory Lending A Guide by Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage Why This Guide Matters As your trusted Visalia loan officer, I care about protecting you from financial traps. Predatory lending is a real threat. I’ll provide predatory lending and safe mortgage tips.  You need to know how it works and how…

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What Is the Right of Rescission and How Do You Exercise It?

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Know Your Rights: Advice from Your Trusted Visalia Loan Officer—with Stephen Palermo, Gold Standard Mortgage As Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage, I guide local families through home loans. I also make sure you understand your rights. One of the most important? The right of rescission.  I’ll explain What Is the Right of Rescission.  If…

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How Student Loan Defaults reporting will impact your Credit score

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—Student Loan Defaults Hurt Credit: What It Means for Visalia Homebuyers—with Stephen Palermo Credit Scores Are Dropping Fast Student loan defaults & collections have resumed. The U.S. Department of Education restarted collections on defaulted federal student loans. This change happened after a pause that began in March 2020. Now, many borrowers are seeing immediate credit…

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What can you use home equity loans for?

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What Can You Use  Home Equity Loans For? By Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage – Your Trusted Visalia Loan Officer Home Equity loans: A Guide for Visalia Homeowners In Visalia California, homeowners have been increasingly exploring ways to leverage their home equity loan for various financial needs. As a loan officer specializing in Central…

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The Role of Appraisals when Home Buying

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Home Appraisals and home buyingBuying—with Stephen Palermo @ Gold Standard Mortgage When you start searching for a home, you need to know the home appraisals when buying connection. You will quickly learn how important an accurate home value becomes. As your Visalia loan officer, I always explain why getting a correct appraisal impacts mortgage rates,…

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What do the tariffs mean for mortgage rates?

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What Do the Tariffs Mean for Mortgage Rates? Consolidated by Stephen Palermo with Gold Standard Mortgage – Your Trusted Visalia Loan Officer Last week, new tariff announcements shook the financial markets. These changes created uncertainty for investors, businesses, and homebuyers. Many now wonder how today’s mortgage rates will respond in the weeks ahead. The U.S.…

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What is a Cash-Out Refinance?

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What is a Cash-Out Refinance? If you’re considering borrowing against the equity in your home, one option is a cash-out refinance. This allows you to replace your current mortgage with a larger one and receive the difference in cash. Another alternative to this is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which lets you access…

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What is Escrow?

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What is an Escrow Account? When you’re in the process of buying a home, there’s a term you’ll likely ask about—“What is Escrow.” This financial arrangement involves a neutral third party holding funds or assets until all terms of a transaction are met. It plays a key role in real estate, ensuring everyone involved feels…

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