Home Loans with Maria

  Should You Wait for Interest Rates to Come Down? It's probably the question I hear more than any other. "Maria, should we wait until interest rates come down before buying a home?" It's a fair question. Everyone wants the lowest possible monthly payment. My answer usually surprises people. Instead of talking about interest rates first, I ask a different question. "If rates dropped tomorrow, what do you think would happen?" Most people stop and think for a moment. If mortgage rates came down significantly, there's a good chance many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines would jump back into the market. More buyers often means more competition, multiple offers, and in some areas, higher home prices. The truth is, none of us knows exactly when rates will come down or what home prices will do next. That's why I encourage my clients to focus less on trying to time the market and more on preparing themselves for the opportunities that c...

  Happy 4th of July, everyone! I know, I know — you're probably expecting me to talk about mortgages. And I will, I promise. But today I want to talk about something a little closer to my heart. Our fur babies. I'm Maria Miyake, a Mortgage Loan Officer at Home Loans USA in Los Angeles, California. But today I'm just a dog mom who wants to make sure your pets get through the holiday safely. Here's the thing about our house. Our senior chihuahua Bean has never been bothered by fireworks. Lucky us! But my daughters' fur babies Biscotti and Macaroon are a whole different story. Every year without fail, the fireworks send them into full anxiety mode. So if your pup is anything like Biscotti and Macaroon, here are a few things that really help: 1. Create a safe cozy space indoors Set up a quiet room with their favorite blanket, toys, and bed. Somewhere they can retreat to when the noise gets overwhelming. 2. Play calming music or turn on the TV Background noise hel...