Your Local Lender

Located in California

Personalized Mortgage Experience

Heather Gennette offers personalized service and loan options you'll love. We shop multiple lenders to find the best rate and product for you, getting you into your dream home faster.

With wholesale interest rates and cutting-edge technology, we make the mortgage process seamless. Trust the experts who focus solely on mortgages. Support your local community and experience elite client service.

Let us help you achieve your homeownership dreams!

The Home Loan Process

Don't take my word for it

Mortgage Programs

Experience the best mortgage experience located in California.

Home Loan Options

Our experienced mortgage advisors will walk you through the best mortgage loan program that will fit your specific scenario.

Conventional Home Loans.

FHA Home Loans.

USDA Home Loans.

VA Home Loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I refinance my mortgage?

There is no limit to the number of times you can refinance. However, you must qualify every time you apply and there will be costs associated with closing the loan each time.

Can I buy a home if I do not have money for a down payment?

Yes! There are a number of bond programs that offer low or no down payment financing options.

How do I know which mortgage is right for me?

The key to choosing the right mortgage is to understand the range of options and features available to you, as well as your budget, circumstances, and goals. Our licensed mortgage professionals are here to help you navigate that process. The more you know, the more comfortable and confident you will be choosing the best option for you and your family.

How long will the loan process take?

The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) does not permit a lender to close a loan until at least seven (7) business days have passed from the date your application was received. A typical home loan takes 30 days, as a number of third-party services such as appraisals, title work, and credit are required in conjunction with the mortgage process. Once you familiarize your Loan Officer with the details of your specific loan scenario, they will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline.

Will I qualify for a home loan?

The only way to find out is to speak with a qualified mortgage professional. Our Loan Officers have helped numerous clients who didn’t know if they could qualify to become home owners. We take the time to understand your financial situation and long-term financial goals, and then match you with the loan program that best fits your needs. Your approval for a loan may also largely depend on the price of the home you are financing. Getting pre-qualified prior to beginning your home search can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.

Why do people refinance their mortgages?

Homeowners typically refinance to save money, either by obtaining a lower interest rate or by reducing the term of their loan. Refinancing is also a way to convert an adjustable loan to a fixed loan or to consolidate debts.

How much money will I have to pay upfront to buy a home?

This question does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The exact amount will depend on the price of the home you buy as well the type of mortgage financing you choose. Depending on your loan program, your down payment could be as much as 20% of the home’s price or as little as 3%, while some loans require no down payment at all.

Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy?

You may still qualify for a home loan even if you have experienced a bankruptcy. The best way to find out if you qualify is to talk with a Loan Officer to discuss your options. Be sure to bring all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy so your Loan Officer can find the program that best fits your situation.

Should I lock my interest rate now, or wait until we are closer to our closing?

Interest rates fluctuate all day, every day. If an interest rate is good, it may be in your best interest to lock now. If you wait, you run the risk of an increase in rates later. If you are concerned that rates may go down after you lock, contact your Loan Officer to discuss your options. Some programs allow you to lock for an extended period and choose to lower your rate should a better one become available.

Most Recent Blog Updates

Millions of Homeowners Are Trapped by Capital Gains Taxes

Millions of Homeowners Are Trapped by Capital Gains Taxes

January 23, 20262 min read

Millions of Homeowners Are Trapped by Capital Gains Taxes

By Heather Gennette

There is a growing issue in today’s housing market that does not get nearly enough attention. Millions of homeowners want to sell their homes, but feel financially stuck.

Not because they do not want to move.
Not because they do not need to move.
But because capital gains taxes can turn equity into a financial roadblock.

I have personally seen homeowners pause or abandon major life plans after running the numbers with their CPA. The math simply does not work once capital gains taxes are factored in.

When Equity Becomes a Trap

Consider a common scenario.

A couple purchases their home decades ago at a modest price. Over time, they stay put, maintain the property, and build equity the traditional way. Fast forward to today and the home is fully paid off and worth well over a million dollars.

On paper, this looks like a huge win.

In reality, selling the home triggers a taxable event so large that it wipes out the financial flexibility they hoped to gain. The result is paralysis. They stay not because they want to, but because the system penalizes long term ownership.

This is not an isolated situation. It is happening across the country.

Why Lower Rates Alone Will Not Fix This

Much of the housing conversation focuses on mortgage rates. While rates matter, they are not the root cause of today’s inventory and mobility problem.

Homeowners are sitting on historic levels of equity, yet many feel unable to access it without consequences. Capital gains taxes effectively discourage selling, even when selling would make financial or personal sense.

When equity becomes a liability instead of a tool, inventory stays tight and mobility stalls.

Ideas Being Discussed That Could Change Everything

There are conversations happening around potential solutions, though none of these are current tax law.

One idea is expanding the capital gains exclusion on primary residences beyond the current limits. Another concept involves allowing homeowners access to accelerated depreciation strategies similar to what institutional investors already use, creating paper losses during ownership that are reconciled at sale.

If implemented, changes like these would not just benefit individual homeowners. They would unlock inventory, increase mobility, and create more flexibility across the housing market.

A Conversation Worth Having

This is not about avoiding taxes or gaming the system. It is about recognizing that homeowners who stayed put, invested responsibly, and built equity should not feel trapped by it.

Lowering rates alone will not fix what is broken. This issue deserves serious review and open discussion.

Home equity should create opportunity, not restriction.

If you want to understand how your equity, mortgage, and long term strategy fit together, I encourage you to reach out for a private mortgage review. The goal is clarity, not pressure.

Back to Blog

Mortgage Calculator

See your total mortgage payments using the tool below.

16.67
%
%
years
$/year
%
$/year
$1,685.20
Your estimated monthly payment with PMI.
PMI:
$208.33
Monthly Tax Paid:
$200.00
Monthly Home Insurance:
$83.33
PMI End Date:
Dec 2027
Total PMI Payments:
27
Monthly Payment after PMI:
$1,476.87
🏠Mortgage Details
Loan Amount:
$250,000.00
Down Payment:
$50,000.00 (16.67%)
Total Interest Paid:
$179,673.77
Total PMI to :
$5,416.67
Total Tax Paid:
$72,000.00
Total Home Insurance:
$30,000.00
Total of 360 Payments:
$537,298.77
Loan pay-off date:
Sep 2055
⚖️Monthly Vs Bi-Weekly Payment
$1,476.87
Monthly Payment
Sep 2055
Pay-off Date
$179,673.77
Total Interest Paid
$738.44
Bi-weekly Payment
Aug 2051
Pay-off Date
$151,482.12
Total Interest Paid
Total Interest Savings: $28,191.64
Yearly Amortization Schedule
Year Interest Principal Balance
company logo
The High Desert Group Logo

Social Media Links

YouTube

Contact Us

(949) 606-3747

2700 Ygnacio Valley Rd. Suite 255, Walnut Creek CA 94598

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Heather Gennette NMLS# 1606952 | Client Direct NMLS# 1065732 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Equal Housing Lender

Client Direct Mortgage is a DBA of The Gennette Group