Sonoma County's Premier Real Estate and Financial Services
Buy or Sell a Home
Make your real estate dreams come true with expert local market knowledge and personalized service. Whether you're buying, we'll find your perfect property within budget, or selling, we'll market your home to the right audience to maximize value. Let us handle the details while you focus on your next chapter.
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Refinance a Home
Lower your payments, shorten your loan term, or tap into your home's equity with ease. We’ll guide you through the refinancing process, securing the best terms for your financial goals. Simplify your refinancing journey with our expert help.
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Take Cash Out
Unlock your home’s equity effortlessly. We'll guide you from eligibility assessment to securing the best terms, ensuring a smooth process. Turn your home’s value into the cash you need to achieve your dreams.
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Our mission at Empower Capital Group is to transform financial futures. We are a tight knit, family-owned team that thrives on knowledge, experience, and dependability. Our clear communication, honesty and trustworthiness are what distinguishes us from others.
Let's get started with a pre-approval for your loan
We have the best rates in the industry and can help you buy or sell a home and all of your other financial needs.
Why Our Clients Love Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step for buying a home?
We work one on one with buyers to figure out the best way to achieve their goals. The first step is getting pre-approved by one of our trusted loan officers. We will send you a list of items we need to get the approval process started.
Once you are pre-approved, we will refer you to a real estate agent to begin showing you properties!
Should I sell my home before buying a new one?
It is not necessary to sell your home before buying, but we will need to come up with a plan so that we know exactly what your goals are. Whether this be investing in rental properties or moving into a larger home.
Should I refinance?
We will review your current situation and figure out the best way to reach your goals. Whether that is getting you into a fixed rate, because you are in an adjustable, or taking cash out to consolidate debts. We will sit down and review all options to insure you are doing what is financially right for you.
What kind of documentation does it entail?
The documentation varies from person to person, but generally entails – paystubs covering the most recent 30 days, W2’s for the past 2 years, business tax returns, bank statements (including all investments) and any mortgage information for homes you may currently own.
Can I refinance with bad credit?
We know that every situation is different. You do not need perfect credit to buy or refinance. The best way to find this out is to connect with one of our trusted loan officers to determine if you qualify.
How long is the financing process?
Most refinance transactions could take up to 21 to 30 days based on the complexity of the loan. If escrow is longer that this, we will also work at the pace needed.
What are home loan rates?
Home loan rates vary daily and depend on many different factors. We are happy to help assist you with mortgage financing options. Contact one of our executives, and link over to our about us page.
How much can you comfortably afford?
Once you are pre-approved for a home loan, we can help you determine what payments you can comfortably afford. This basic calculator will also allow you to see what your payments may be once you plugged in the details.
What are the steps to purchasing a home?
STEP 2 - MEET WITH OUR TRUSTED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS: Get all the details on they type of home you are looking for and get a list of homes to view.
STEP 3 - VIEW PROPERTIES: Go out with one our Real Estate staff and see properties that meet your criteria.
STEP 4 - MAKE AN OFFER: Our real estate team will assist in determining the offer price and assist with all documentation.
STEP 5 - HOME NEGOTIATIONS: Our team will aggressively negotiate with the listing agent so that your real estate needs are met with confidence.
STEP 6 - IN ESCROW: Once your offer has been accepted we open the escrow account so that you can pay the initial deposit. We will guide you through the process until the home is yours including property inspections and disclosure reviews. This is where the loan process starts. If your are obtaining a loan for the purchase of the property your loan officer will now gather any remaining documents needed from you to submit your loan file to the banks underwriter for review. The appraisal for the property is also ordered at this time if it is a requirement of the loan.
STEP 7 - LOAN APPROVAL: Once the appraisal is complete and your documents are reviewed by the underwriter your loan moves to a conditional approval status. We may ask you to satisfy those last conditions and discuss rate options if you are ready to lock the rate on your loan.
STEP 8 - LOAN DOCUMENTS & CLOSING: When loan conditions are complete we can order your final loan documents and set a date for signing. At that point the seller signs their selling documents, buyer signs their purchase and loan documents and within days the house is yours.
STEP 9 - THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: The buyer gets their keys, pops a bottle of champagne and lives happy ever after
STEP 10 - AFTER CARE: Your Loan officer and Real estate agent will communicate over the following couple weeks to make sure that any questions that come up post close are answered. They make it a point to regularly follow up with clients well into the future in order to educate them on changing market conditions and ensure they are always in the best possible situation.
Meet Our Team
![Jennifer Peschken](https://empowercapitalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer_Peschken-1.jpg)
Jennifer Peschken
Real Estate Broker
Jennifer is a licensed real estate broker, an experienced and successful professional, facilitating real property transactions for over 15 years in Sonoma County. Living here for over 30 years, she is knowledgeable, familiar with the local market and dedicated to protecting your interests. Working as your trustee and advocate, she will be there for you to lean on. Her goal is to build a relationship in order to best serve your needs. She loves meeting new people and helps her clients to quickly feel comfortable. An expert in the art of negotiation; she will skillfully represent you in residential real estate, vineyard & winery property and undeveloped land acquisition/sales. She has worked with hundreds of seniors, and truly understands how to patiently assist them, along with their families. She is an expert VA and FHA Buyers Agent.
With a pleasant personality and sweet disposition, Jennifer is your ideal consultant. Being sensitive to the differing business styles of each client, she communicates well and often in your preferred method: in person, by phone, via email and text messaging. She understands acquiring or disposing of real property can be stressful and she is there to counsel you through each step of the entire process. Many out-of-area Realtor’s know they can count on Jennifer to treat their Sonoma County bound client referrals with the utmost loyalty and care.
Phone: (707) 293-8009
Email: jpeschken@hsmartadvantage.com
DRE # 01330271
![Elsa Campos](https://empowercapitalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/elsa2023.jpg)
Elsa Campos
Mortgage Loan Officer
After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, I began my career in lending with a local financial institution upon returning home to Sonoma County. Through the banking world, I found my passion in lending. With over 10 years of commercial and residential experience, plus vast knowledge in a variety of residential lending products, I am prepared to guide you through the lending process from start to finish. I am your Residential Loan Specialist.
I serve my customers with compassion, integrity, and tenacity. My drive is to go above and beyond my regular duties to help my borrowers achieve financial success in every situation and circumstance. Helping my clients achieve the dream of home ownership is extremely gratifying, but educating them along the way is absolute satisfaction. Most importantly, I stick with my customers as long as it takes to get them a place to call home.
I would consider it an honor to help you obtain a mortgage when you purchase your next home! Hablo Español
Phone: (707) 522-1887
Email: elsa@empowercapitalgroup.com
NMLS # 1209155
![Bodhi Kraus](https://empowercapitalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Bodhi-Kraus.jpg)
Bodhi Kraus
Services Liaison
Born and raised in the wooded hillsides of Forestville along the iconic Russian River, Bodhi attended the University of California Davis, returning to Sonoma County run local businesses for his entire career. That career has continued to expand since 2001 into different businesses, all building a strong foundation through extraordinary service, accessibility and a wide range of experience. His commitment to extraordinary service is founded on the mindset that business is fundamentally about people and taking a customized approach; first to listen and understand client goals and then to educate clients with the best options to make right decisions for themselves and their family.
After analyzing thousands of client’s personal and business tax returns and asset portfolios he will often meet with clients CPAs and Financial advisors resulting in understanding leading to long term financial security. In the same regard, conferring with clients’ attorneys has led to extensive work in divorce, trusts, mitigation finance, bankruptcy, business disputes, foreclosure, eviction, and tax law and being qualified by California superior courts as an expert in real estate financing.
The degree to which Bodhi devotes himself to meeting each and every one of his clients needs shows in all aspects of his service. This service extends beyond the office doors as his resourcefulness and deep connection to the community allows Bodhi to direct clients to a vast network including legal, financial, advisors, contractors etc.
Phone: (707) 280-1007
Email: bodhi@empowercapitalgroup.com
NMLS # 69695 DRE # 00569036
![Marcy Bravo Tang](https://empowercapitalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Marcy-Bravo-Tang.jpg)
Marcy Bravo Tang
Mortgage Loan Officer
With over 20 years of lending experience, I will hold your hand through the home buying process. My clients work with me for experience and expertise in the buying process. I consistently close loans that others say can’t be done!
Whether you are first time home buyer, purchasing your dream home, refinancing, or consolidating debt, our dedicated team can help you take that first step toward a financial solution.
I have an instilled appreciation for your personal and family time. This allows me to streamline the process for you. I handle all the loan details and let you enjoy your time.
Phone: (707) 303-1184 (habla espanol)
Email: marcy@empowercapitalgroup.com
NMLS # 877758 DRE # 02088742
![Catrina Higuera](https://empowercapitalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/Catrina-Higuera-2.jpg)
Catrina Higuera
CFO, HR Manager
Catrina started in the finance world over 20 years ago. She has helped and continues to help businesses make critical financial decisions by collecting, tracking, and correcting the company’s finances. She is responsible for financial audits, reconciling bank statements, and ensuring financial records are accurate throughout the year. Empower has been a great company to work for, they have become family. We have had many great gatherings and trips together. I’m a mother of two beautiful girls! We love staying active, hiking, going to the beach and being with friends and family.
Phone: (707) 303-1180
Email: catrina@empowercapitalgroup.com