Barrett Financial Group · The Murrieta TeamEducation
Learn it before you sign it
Short lessons from the studio — the questions every buyer asks, answered before your first call.
Mortgage 101
The whole process, start to finish — what actually happens between offer and keys.
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Buying Your First Home
First-time buyer programs, down payments, and the myths that keep renters renting.
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Using a DSCR Loan
Qualify on the property's rent — not your tax returns. The investor's tool.
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Credit Building
Where your score really comes from, and how to move it before you apply.
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Self-Employed Buyers
Write-offs helping your taxes but hurting your approval? There are ways.
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Bank Statement Loans
Twelve months of deposits can tell the story your 1040 can't.
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Jumbo Loans
Above the conforming limit — how high-balance lending works in California.
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Home Equity Loans
Tap what you've built without touching your first mortgage's rate.
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Selling Your Home
Timing the sale, bridging to the next place, and keeping your options open.
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Non-Traditional Buyers
ITIN, recent credit events, unique income — the paths most lenders skip.
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The Broadcast
Building Wealth Around Real Estate.
Straight talk from the studio — markets, money, and the moves that put families into homes. New conversations every week.
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Meet Matthew Lords
Mortgage Advisor · NMLS #241559
Where millionaires are made
From the podcast desk
Market intelligence, plainly
Studio session
Making the numbers work
From the podcast desk
Funding the next move
Studio session
FAQ
The questions everyone asks
Do I need to save for a 20% down payment?
No! With FHA loans, you could get approved for options as little as 3.5% down, VA and USDA loans can offer you $0-down options, and with Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) you can get into your new home with less than a 20% down payment. Whatever your situation, talk to your mortgage lender to discuss options.
Are Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval the same thing?
No. Pre-qualification and pre-approval are two different things. Pre-qualification means that a mortgage lender has reviewed your financial records and believes you will qualify for a loan. A pre-approval is a conditional commitment from a lender that they will lend you the money for a mortgage.
What's the difference between an adjustable and a fixed rate mortgage?
A fixed rate mortgage means that the interest rate is set when you take out the loan and will not change. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate may go up or down after a certain amount of time. Many adjustable rate mortgages will start at a lower interest rate than fixed rate mortgages.
What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance you may be required to pay if you are taking out a conventional mortgage with a downpayment that is less than 20% of the home's overall value. If you refinance your home with a conventional loan and your equity is less than 20% of the home's value, you may also be required to pay PMI. Private Mortgage Insurance protects the lender in the event that you stop making payments on your loan.
Can I access my home equity before I finish paying off my loan?
Yes! Your mortgage lender can work with a certified specialist to help you find the right refinance and reverse mortgage options to help you access your home equity before you've finished paying off your loan. This can help with covering the cost of remodels, college tuition, long-term care plans, and more! Talk to your mortgage lender to find out how you can access your home equity to cover any of your life's needs.