Lee Chieng, Mortgage Advisor

09/19/2026

🍂 Fall is quietly the most important maintenance season of the year, and most of it doesn't require a contractor.

Here are the 5 things I tell every homeowner client to knock out before the rain starts:
1. Clean your gutters (30 min-half day, DIY, prevents fascia/foundation rot)
2. Change your HVAC filter and get a quick inspection (30 min DIY / pro tune-up $100-200, prevents a winter breakdown)
3. Drain outdoor faucets and insulate exposed pipes (30 min-1 hr, prevents burst pipes)
4. Check your chimney and fireplace before first use (DIY glance + pro sweep if it's been a year, prevents fire risk)
5. Walk the roofline and foundation for cracks or soft spots (1-2 hrs DIY, catches small leaks before they become big ones)

A client of mine skipped gutter cleaning two falls in a row; by spring, it was $8,000 in fascia and soffit repair instead of a $150 cleaning. That's the real cost of "I'll get to it."

None of these are glamorous, but they're the difference between a $150 fall weekend and a $10,000 spring surprise. 🧰

Which of these is already on your to-do list, and which one keeps getting pushed back?

09/16/2026

4.83 star review received on Experience.com for Lee Chieng by Claudia U - Lee took the time to see my papers and explain to
what I need it todo .

Click to see all 62 reviews of Lee Chieng, Certified Mortgage Advisor

09/16/2026

🌳 Let's talk about Walnut Creek, because the pros and cons here are both real, and both worth knowing before you fall in love with a listing.

The pros: a genuinely walkable downtown near Broadway Plaza, BART, and I-680 for commuters, trail access to Mt. Diablo, and schools strong enough that demand holds up no matter what the broader market is doing. Neighborhoods like Saranap and Walnut Heights offer a bit more breathing room on price while staying in strong school zones.

The honest cons: this is not a bargain market. Cost of living runs about 69% above the national average, housing costs are notably higher, and buyers often face a real "Walnut Creek premium" on price and HOA dues. Traffic at peak hours can be a genuine headache, and summers run hot enough that cooling costs and drought-tolerant landscaping are worth budgeting for.

I worked with a retired couple this year who were right-sizing out of a larger Peninsula home. Walnut Creek gave them the walkable, low-maintenance lifestyle they wanted without the SF price tag, and inventory is building right now, which means more room to negotiate than in recent years.

It's not the right fit for everyone (rent control rules make it a tougher landlord play for pure investors), but for the right buyer, it's one of the best "small city, big lifestyle" moves in the East Bay.

What matters more to you: walkability, schools, or commute?

09/14/2026

💰 Here's a number that surprised me when I ran it for a client this week.

On a $700,000 mortgage at today's rates, paying an extra $300 a month starting now saves over $180,000 in interest and pays the loan off 5 years early.

But here's the part that really matters: that same $300/month only works if you start early. We ran the numbers both ways, extra payments in the FIRST 5 years of the loan save $86,674 in interest. The exact same extra payments made in the LAST 5 years save just $3,076.

Same $300. Same 5 years. Twenty-eight times the impact, just because of timing.

I had a client recently who was debating whether to put an extra $300/month toward the mortgage or save it in a separate account "until later." Once she saw this math, the decision made itself, the early years of a loan are when extra payments do almost all of the heavy lifting.

If you've got a little breathing room in your budget, this is the year to start, not the year to wait.

Would an extra $100, $300, or $500 a month be realistic for your household right now? 🏡

09/12/2026

🏡 Here's something worth sitting with if you already own your home.

This week's economic data was a mixed bag - a surprisingly strong jobs report, but signs underneath it that hiring is slowing in a lot of industries. Inflation came in a little hotter than expected too, and the Fed is now leaning toward another rate hike on September 16.

None of that changes your fixed-rate mortgage payment. But here's the number that actually matters for homeowners: Fannie Mae and Pulsenomics just released their latest forecast, and the median expectation among 150+ housing economists is that home prices will rise about 2.6% over the next year and roughly 15% over the next five years.

For a $500,000 home, that's about $13,000 in equity growth over the next 12 months - and around $75,000 over five years - without doing a single renovation.

I know rate headlines can feel stressful even when they don't touch your own loan. But this is a good reminder that owning, even through noisy weeks like this one, is quietly building wealth in the background. 💬

Have you checked your home's estimated equity growth lately?

08/29/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Lee Chieng by Jenny L - Lee did it again for my client! The condo market has been tough lately, but with her persistence and dedication, we got it closed. The loan docs were out earlier than anticipated, giving the buyers plenty of time to review and sign without feeling rushed before closing. Thank you, Lee!

Click to see all 59 reviews of Lee Chieng, Certified Mortgage Advisor

08/26/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Lee Chieng by Hesamaldin M - We had a wonderful experience working with Lee Chieng on our home purchase. Lee was incredibly responsive, patient, and supportive throughout the entire mortgage process.
There were a lot of moving parts with our financing, and Lee did an excellent job explaining everything clearly, answering all of our questions, and guiding us through each step. She was always quick to respond and made sure we understood our options so we could make informed decisions.
What we appreciated most was Lee’s dedication and willingness to go the extra mile to make sure everything stayed on track. Buying a home can be stressful, but having someone as reliable and knowledgeable as Lee made the financing process much easier and gave us a lot of peace of mind.
We are very grateful for all of Lee’s hard work and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy, professional, and supportive mortgage agent. Thank you, Lee, for helping us make our home purchase a reality!

Click to see all 58 reviews of Lee Chieng, Certified Mortgage Advisor

08/16/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Lee Chieng by Wei H - She is very patient, professional, and knowledgeable. She guided me through the loan process and was always helpful and responsive. I truly appreciate all her help and support. Highly recommended!

Click to see all 54 reviews of Lee Chieng, Certified Mortgage Advisor

08/13/2026

Going through a divorce? You may not have to wait until it’s final—or drain your settlement—to buy your next home.

In this video, I explain when to start planning and two ways you may be able to qualify for a mortgage during divorce.

Going through a divorce and planning your next home?Explore your m...

07/17/2026

You may not need income to qualify for a mortgage during a divorce. Your assets could be enough.