About Me
I have been in home loan financing since 2005 and during this time built a solid foundation of expertise, knowledge and professionalism. I am patient, honest and methodical, working closely with new home buyers and those wishing to move up or refinance. For every loan transaction I work hard avoid potential obstacles, close on time, and take the stress out of buying or refinancing a home. Prior to my current profession, I was in the Peace Corps working with farmers in Grenada West Indies. This led to positions in transportation with Maersk Line loading container ships at the Port of Oakland and sales with UPS.
I earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis where my wife, sister, brother-in-law and daughter all attend. Go Aggies! I currently live in Alameda and enjoy bike riding, hiking and traveling with family and friends.
Please call me at 510-220-6610 to start the loan pre-approval process.
Calculators
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Mortgage Calculator
Get an idea of what your monthly mortgage payment may be, including costs associated with your mortgage such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), if applicable.
Get Started with Jim Valler – Mortgage Advisor -
Refinance Calculator
Recalculate your new house payment based on loan amounts, interest rates, and other factors, to see if refinancing your mortgage is a smart financial move.
Get Started with Jim Valler – Mortgage Advisor -
Affordability Calculator
Calculate how much house you can afford. Get an estimate for a mortgage amount that may fit comfortably within your budget.
Get Started with Jim Valler – Mortgage Advisor
Why Finance of America Mortgage?
We’re not about pushing loan papers. We’re about moving your dream forward. And we do that through knowledgeable local advisors, a personal approach, and a variety of smart loan options.
$50B+
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Frequently Asked Questions
The total number of properties you may look at will depend on several factors, such as your budget and the housing availability in your area. In general, real estate agents recommend that homebuyers look at several properties before making a decision, but there is not an exact number. Most people look at 10 homes, at a minimum, so they can compare them. However, you may find the dream house with more or fewer searches.
When it comes to the best home buying tips, there are different ways to search for properties. Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® reveal that 51 percent of buyers searched and found their homes on the internet, while 30 percent used real estate agents. Other ways to search for homes include asking friends, relatives, neighbors and homebuilders for help. A small percentage of homebuyers used newspaper advertisements and yard or open house signs to search for homes.
Although a pre-approval is not one of the required steps to buying a house, it can certainly help you stand out in a competitive market with many buyers. A pre-approval can show sellers that you’re serious and capable of getting a mortgage, so they may be more likely to accept your offer.
