DiMarco Realtors - October 2021

DiMarco Realtors - October 2021

San Diego Orange County Inland Empire Los Angeles Bay Area 888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | OCTOBER 2021 News From Your Home & Loan Resource Network DiMarco’s 2 C nts

Visit a National Park This Fall!

With all the great places around the world to explore, I think many of us sometimes forget just how beautiful and vast our country is. One way to tour some of these most amazing places in the USA is start with our national park network. It’s one of our nation’s greatest achievements. It began in 1872 with the founding of Yellowstone National Park — the first of its kind in the world! — and the concept of protecting the unique and diverse landscapes in our nation soon took off! If you’re a longtime reader of this newsletter, then you may remember a trip Cristina and I took last year to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. It was breathtaking and cemented my appreciation for these spaces! Glacier National Park in Montana — with its dark, looming mountains, blue lakes, and vast greenery — will be next. California also has fantastic national parks and an array of landscapes.With nine national parks, California has more national parks than any other state in the U.S. And October is the perfect time to visit! The weather is mild, leaves are

changing color, and you can’t beat the smell of fresh air on a fall day.

So, if you are looking for a place to escape to this fall, I suggest checking out our California national parks. Here are a few to consider … Yosemite National Park I just had to. This is probably one of our most well-known national parks in California, but with the kinds of views it has, it’s no surprise! The cool part about Yosemite is that it becomes a different outdoor playground depending on when you visit. So, in the spring you might see rushing waterfalls, but come winter, it’s a snowy paradise. In the fall, the experts at Visit California say you can enjoy fewer crowds and more gorgeous leaves. Learn more and plan your trip at NPS.gov/Yose.

Your Legal Resource As an attorney and advisor for real estate and loans, I get a lot of requests for help on a wide range of topics, including getting out of debt, rental properties, insurance, partnerships, trusts, and taxes.While I can’t provide legal representation or advice on all topics, I can be a helpful resource by giving you direction.

When you need practical advice and don’t know where to go, I’m here for you.

Continued on Page 2 ...

Darren DiMarco | [email protected]

888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | PAGE 1

... Continued from Cover

Channel Islands National Park If the ocean is calling your name, visit Channel Islands National Park. This is a great destination for those who appreciate nature but don’t want to spend all day hiking through it (like you might at other parks). Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach or walk along its famous islands and rock formations. I guarantee you will enjoy this day of peace! Visit NPS.gov/Chis to learn more.

Joshua Tree National Park Perhaps one of the most unique national parks in the U.S. calls California home! Joshua Tree National Park is “where two deserts meet,” and it’s a great attraction for those who love the desert. Explore unique plant life and roam around the strange rock formations that have sprouted up as the result of heavy rains and wind. Plan your visit at NPS.gov/Jotr.

Pinnacles National Park This is the perfect spot for geology nerds!

You should always consult with the ranger station or visit the park’s website for more details. Keep in mind that some parks may be closed or limit access due to wildfires. If you can’t visit a national park this October, I hope you take time to get outside and enjoy our gorgeous California landscape. There’s no better time to be outside than the fall! Safe travels and enjoy.

WhileYosemite has amazing high-point views of mountains, Pinnacles offers visitors unique rock formations, creepy caves, gorgeous views, and a variety of hiking trails. Plus, you can learn about and see the cool volcanic history that helped form our great state! You can plan your trip at NPS.gov/Pinn.

Self-Employed and Purchasing a Home? 2 Tips to Improve Your Standing With Lenders

you keep your business and personal expenses separate. This is especially crucial when you are operating as a sole proprietorship. In other words, use only a business bank account and a business credit card for your business expenses. Pay all your personal expenses with a separate, personal account. This creates separation between your personal and business budgets, making it easier for the underwriter to calculate your income to be used for qualifying purposes. With the right expectations and some planning, obtaining your loan approval can be straightforward and not difficult. If you have further questions about how to best prepare yourself for a home loan approval, contact our team at DiMarco Realtors and DiMarco Home Loans today.We want to help you make your dreams a reality.

federal tax returns (although, sometimes, just one year is sufficient) along with a profit & loss statement (P&L) for the current year to date. The lender’s underwriter is looking at what you pay yourself, and/or the net profit of the business. Some deductions that appear on your tax returns, such as depreciation, can be added back to your income. Also, business bank statements will be required to back up your P&L. Additionally, be prepared to provide your business license and further proof that your business is still presently operating. This will legitimize your income and self- employment for many lenders. Separate Business and Personal Expenses Because the lender’s underwriter will be reviewing your bank statements to support your P&L, it is important that

Buying a home is an exciting rite of passage for many people; however, it can also feel overwhelming. It feels as though your entire financial history and habits come under the microscope. When you’re self-employed, the qualifying process becomes a little more complex. Lenders are concerned about the steadiness of your income, and some lenders avoid working with self-employed people altogether! With a little added organization, preparation, and tracking, however, the home loan process can go smooth. Here are two ways you can help make qualifying for a home loan easier. Gather Evidence Organization and bookkeeping is key for self-employed individuals. Be prepared to provide two years of your

888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | PAGE 2

Can a Referral Make a Difference?

St. Jude is on the front lines in the fight against childhood disease, and we want to help. Do you know someone who is moving? Refer them to us, and for every referral, we donate $500 to St. Jude.Your referral makes a difference. Referring is easy: Call or text me at 949-391-7511 or email [email protected]. We and St. Jude thank you. The Deadliest Surgery in History By the ‘Fastest Knife in the West End’

Your credit score is the gauge by which home loan lenders, car lenders, credit card companies, and others determine how safe it is to do business with you. And when your credit score is lower (as you may already know), you may have to pay more for a loan than someone with a better score. Here are three important things you need to know about credit scores. 1) There are three separate credit bureaus that provide scores — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. 2) Credit scores are calculated differently depending on what type of credit report is requested. For instance, your scores may be different depending on whether it was a mortgage company, car lender, or credit card company that ordered the report. 3) Some lenders choose a certain bureau’s score to use, i.e., a particular lender may request a credit report and score from just one of the three bureaus. Mortgage lenders obtain reports and scores from all three bureaus and use your middle score for their underwriting purposes. Score More 3 Surprising Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

Here are some easy ways to improve your score.

Don’t Reach Your Limit Credit limits are finicky. If you’re a good “customer”— meaning you spend most of your limit regularly — credit card companies will raise it. But don’t take this as a sign that you can spend more. Investopedia suggests spending about 30% of your credit limit each month. This will increase your odds of paying on time (which can boost your credit score), and it’s a major factor in score calculations. It’s reasonable to use more than 30% of your credit limit occasionally, but make this the exception rather than the rule. Understand the Hard vs. Soft Inquiry Contrary to popular belief, checking your credit score occasionally won’t cause it to drop. This is considered a “soft” check.Where you can run into trouble is with “hard” inquiries. These are checks by companies to which you may apply for a new credit card, car loan, or home loan. If this happens frequently, your score can be affected. Don’t worry if this happens with your next vehicle purchase but try to limit how many store credit cards you opt into! Don’t Close Accounts It seems so counterintuitive. If you have a credit card you no longer use, it may seem advantageous to close that account, but you may want to think again. In addition to a number of factors, credit scores are also based on longevity. The longer you have an established line of credit, the higher your score will be. So, while you may not use your first credit card as frequently, consider using it once or twice each month for an added score boost.

If you needed surgery in the early 1800s, it could be a death sentence. Before anesthesia, patients were awake and lucid the entire time. One of this era’s greatest surgeons, Dr. Robert Liston, was named the “fastest knife in theWest End” because he was known for performing surgeries very quickly. One fateful day, Dr. Liston cut through his patient’s broken, infected leg with incredible speed — so incredible that he didn’t realize he had cut off two of his assistant’s fingers, too. The patient and assistant later died of gangrene. But theirs were not the only deaths that day. In those days, people found amputations morbidly entertaining. When Dr. Liston grabbed one of his knives, he whipped it too closely to one spectator, slicing through his coat.While he didn’t actually break the man’s skin, the spectator thought he’d been stabbed and died of shock.

Today, it’s the only known surgery with a 300% mortality rate.

888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | PAGE 3

DiMarco’s 2 Cents News From Your Home & Loan Resource Network

Darren DiMarco 949-391-7511 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01071383, NMLS# 361115 Diane DiMarco 949-829-1570 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01896291 Chris Hertsgaard 949-391-3411 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01363354 Cristina Iacobelli 760-519-3294 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01986394

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Law Offices of Darren J. DiMarco

PO Box 704 San Clemente, CA 92674

Your Real Estate Advisors: Darren, Cristina, Diane, and Chris

1

Visit a National Park This Fall!

2

2 Tips for Self-Employed Home Loan Seekers

3 Secret Ways to ImproveYour Credit Score

3

The Deadliest Surgery in History

4

Wash theWasher the EasyWay!

Fresh Tips From the Laundry Room The Easiest Way to Clean Your Washing Machine

Despite being designed to clean, your washing machine can be anything but. As water settles in the machine’s basin and detergent and grime cling to the edges, it can become a budding environment for mildew and gnarly smells. But with a few simple steps, your machine will smell and function like new. Why You Need to Clean Your Washing Machine The most common washing machines are top- and front- loading, and some do a better job of cleaning than others. However, the washing machine isn’t where germs and bacteria go to die. In fact, according to Reader’s Digest, many home washing machines don’t sanitize clothes, and numerous studies have found that these devices can transfer certain germs from one material to the next. However, by cleaning your washing machine, you can remove bacterial buildup, residue, and mildew buildup. (No more gross smell!) Furthermore, regular cleaning protects it from damage due to grime accumulation. How to Clean It Whether you have a front- or top-loading washing machine is a matter of preference, but it also matters when it comes

to maintenance. For example, front-loading machines have a rubber lip just inside the door where dirt and hair accumulate. Top-loading machines can collect the same amount of dirt in the softener dispenser. Regardless of the machine’s style, baking soda, vinegar, a rag, and hot water are the go-to tools for cleaning your washing machine. Start by running your machine on its hottest cycle for a few minutes, then pause the cycle. (With top-loading devices, you want a pool of water in the bottom of the machine after it’s paused.) Then,YouTube cleaning tutorialist Andrea Jean Cleaning recommends pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda and about 2–3 cups of white vinegar into the machine. (Bleach will work, too!)While the solution sits, scrub the door, detergent trays, and any lips where grime can hide. Then, simply close the lid, finish the cycle, and watch your machine clean itself!

Get more washing machine cleaning tips from your device’s manufacturer.

888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | PAGE 4