Brian Farwell- Mortgage Advisor

Brian Farwell- Mortgage Advisor Personal NMLS1406196
Branch NMLS1789532
Company NMLS3029

09/06/2026

Getting a pre approval letter without submitting your financial documents should be a red flag.

A strong pre approval is about more than getting a letter in your hands. Your lender should be reviewing your financial picture upfront, asking the right questions and identifying potential issues before you ever write an offer.

The goal is to enter escrow with confidence, knowing your financing has been properly reviewed and your money is protected.

Before you make an offer, make sure your lender has done the work upfront.

FirstTimeHomeBuyer CaliforniaRealEstate CaliforniaHomeBuyer

09/03/2026

Should you wait for rates to drop before buying?

Here’s what happens when rates come down: monthly payments become more affordable, which brings more buyers back into the market and increases competition.

Buying now may give you an opportunity to get ahead of that competition while having more negotiating power.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the purchase price or the interest rate. It’s about finding a monthly payment that works for you.

Want to know what that number looks like? Let’s run the numbers.

09/02/2026

Everyone wants better results.

Fewer people are willing to create the kind of accountability that makes quitting painful.

12 calls a day.
60 straight days.
700+ opportunities to build relationships.

Complete it, and someone else pays for Pebble Beach.

Miss a day, and you’re paying.

This is the bet two of my colleagues currently have with one another. Because they know motivation comes and goes but accountability is what keeps you moving when you don’t feel like it.

What would you be willing to put on the line to make sure you followed through?

The market may be slow for others but not for us. We helped 7 families buy a new home this month and another 4 access eq...
09/01/2026

The market may be slow for others but not for us. We helped 7 families buy a new home this month and another 4 access equity in their home for debt consolidation or other investments.

So many people are sitting on a ton of home equity unsure how to access it or unaware of the wealth they can create by deploying it into other investments. If you have had a similar thought but aren’t sure the first step, just connect with us and we can let you know your options.

08/31/2026

Getting approved and being comfortable are two very different things.

When I’m helping someone figure out what they can realistically afford, I’m looking at more than just income.

Monthly debts, cash after closing, property taxes, insurance, HOA or Mello Roos, lifestyle, and long term financial goals all matter.

The goal is not just to get approved for the highest number possible. It’s to build a payment that actually feels comfortable month after month.

If you’re thinking about buying and want to understand what your numbers could look like, reach out.

HomeLoanTips

08/29/2026

How much should you put down on a house?

The answer isn’t automatically 20%.

When I talk with homebuyers, my advice is typically to put down the least amount that gets you to a monthly mortgage payment you’re comfortable with, while still keeping enough cash available after closing.

A larger down payment can lower your monthly payment, but putting every available dollar into your home can leave you house rich and cash poor.

The right down payment is about finding the balance between:

A comfortable monthly mortgage payment
Cash reserves after closing
Your overall financial goals

Before buying a home, compare different down payment and monthly payment scenarios with your mortgage lender to find the option that makes the most sense for you.

Need a Mortgage Lender? message me today!

HomeLoans HomeBuying101 MortgagePayment

Had the chance to help family of one of my Realtor partners as they bought their first home. If every client says the pr...
08/28/2026

Had the chance to help family of one of my Realtor partners as they bought their first home. If every client says the process was easy and smooth that is all we can ask for.

08/27/2026

What actually goes into your monthly mortgage payment?

There are 6 potential costs every homebuyer should understand.

The first four make up PITI:

Principal
Interest
Property Taxes
Homeowners Insurance

Then, depending on your home and loan, your monthly payment may also include:

HOA dues
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

When figuring out how much home you can afford, don’t just look at the purchase price or interest rate. Understanding your total monthly mortgage payment gives you a much clearer picture of what homeownership will actually cost.

Save this for when you’re getting ready to buy a home.

FirstTimeHomeBuyer HomeLoans MortgageLender HomeBuying101

08/26/2026

A little peek behind the curtain today.

My CRM said I had 39 active pre-approved buyers.

After checking in with them all I really only had 25.

Some bought with someone else. Some rented. Some hit pause.

Not exactly a fun cleanup project, but I’d rather know where I actually stand than feel good about a number that isn’t real.

Know your numbers.

08/25/2026

California homeownership is getting pushed later and later.

Half of Californians now don’t become homeowners until age 47.

And while buying a home is never the right move for everyone at every stage of life, there is a real long-term cost to continually pushing homeownership further down the road.

Less time owning can mean less time building equity, less appreciation captured, and potentially less wealth heading into retirement.

The housing affordability conversation isn’t just about whether people can buy today.

It’s also about what happens 20 or 30 years from now if they can’t.

Curious what you think: Is homeownership still one of the most important wealth-building tools for the next generation?

Address

32107 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 126
Westlake Village, CA
91361

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