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The Role of A Down Payment: How Much Should I Save?

January 16, 2026 by Rilian Ball

Buying a home, a car, or any significant investment often involves making a down payment. The down payment is a crucial part of the purchasing process, as it can impact your loan terms, interest rates, and monthly payments. But how much should you save for a down payment, and why is it so important? Understanding Down Payments A down payment is a portion of the purchase price that you pay upfront when buying a house, a car, or making a large investment. It's a way to demonstrate your commitment … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Down Payment, New Home, Savings

Why Closing Old Credit Accounts Can Hurt Your Mortgage Approval

January 9, 2026 by Rilian Ball

When you are preparing to buy a home, it is natural to want your credit profile to look clean and organized. Many buyers think closing old credit accounts will improve their score, simplify their finances, and make them appear more responsible to lenders. In reality, closing old accounts can have the opposite effect. Those accounts play a much bigger role in your credit profile than most people realize and shutting them down can create sudden changes that impact your mortgage approval. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Credit Health, Home Buying 101, Mortgage Tips

Will You Need Private Mortgage Insurance on Your Mortgage Loan?

December 17, 2025 by Rilian Ball

When preparing to buy a home, many borrowers focus on the interest rate and monthly payment, but mortgage insurance is another important factor to understand. Private mortgage insurance is often required when a borrower makes a smaller down payment and knowing how it works can help you plan more confidently and avoid surprises during the loan process. What Private Mortgage Insurance IsPrivate mortgage insurance is a type of insurance that protects the lender, not the borrower. It is typically … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buying Tips, Mortgage Education, Mortgage Insurance

A Season of Generosity and Homeownership Opportunities

November 20, 2025 by Rilian Ball

The time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is known for gratitude, togetherness and heartfelt giving. Many families share meaningful gifts during this stretch of the year, and some buyers discover that these seasonal acts of generosity can help make homeownership possible. If you have found the right home but need help with upfront costs, financial gifts from loved ones may be the support that brings your plans together. Understanding Financial Gifts for Homebuyers Financial gifts are funds … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Holiday Giving, Home Buying Tips, Mortgage Education

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Rilian Ball


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NMLS # 202687

Call: (559) 697-5322
info@firstcg.com

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Recent Articles

  • Exploring the Benefits of Buying a Fixer-Upper
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 20th, 2026
  • The Role of A Down Payment: How Much Should I Save?
  • Understanding the Jumbo Mortgage and Why Refinancing is Different

Rilian Ball
NMLS # 202687

Company NMLS: 35960
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

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Loan Options

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  • FHA Home Loan
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