Garden Grove is a diverse city with a range of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles and preferences. The historic downtown area offers a charming, small-town feel with easy access to shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Westminster Gardens is a family-friendly neighborhood with well-maintained homes and excellent schools. Other popular areas include Garden Grove Heights and the Buckingham neighborhood. At NMHL, we're familiar with these neighborhoods and can provide valuable insights on the local market.

• The downtown area is experiencing revitalization, with new businesses and developments emerging.
• Westminster Gardens is known for its tree-lined streets and community parks.
• Garden Grove Heights offers a mix of older and newer homes, with many opportunities for renovation and resale.

California offers several programs to help first-time homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership. NMHL participates in these programs and can help you access the benefits. The California Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program, for example, provides a federal tax credit of up to 20% of your mortgage interest. Our loan officers can guide you through the application process and help you determine which programs you're eligible for.

Some of the benefits of these programs include:

• Down payment assistance of up to 3.5% of the purchase price.
• Favorable interest rates and lower mortgage insurance premiums.
• Education and counseling to help you prepare for homeownership.

Property taxes in Garden Grove are an important consideration for homeowners. The average effective tax rate is 0.80%, which is relatively low compared to other California cities. However, Proposition 13 limits the annual increase in assessed value to 2%, unless there's a change in ownership or significant renovations. NMHL can help you understand how property taxes will impact your mortgage payments and explore options for reducing your tax burden.

Some key things to know about property taxes in Garden Grove include:

• The average homeowner pays around $6,560 per year in property taxes.
• Proposition 13 can help limit tax increases, but may also impact your ability to tap into your home's equity.
• NMHL can help you factor property taxes into your mortgage payment and explore options for reducing your tax liability.

At NMHL, we offer a range of mortgage programs designed to meet the unique needs of Garden Grove borrowers. Our loan options include FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and specialty mortgage programs. We also offer down payment assistance programs and other forms of support to help you achieve your homeownership goals.

Some of the benefits of NMHL's mortgage programs include:

• Competitive interest rates and flexible underwriting.
• Low down payment options, including FHA loans with 3.5% down.
• Specialized programs for self-employed borrowers, veterans, and those with bad credit.