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What amount of down payment is required to buy a house?

This article: A down payment is the amount you pay to purchase a house. What amount of down payment is required to buy a house? You can put down anywhere from zero to 100 percent. Your mortgage is the difference in your down payment and purchase price. You must be able prove that your down payment came from an acceptable source Anyone who gains from the transaction is unacceptable Sometimes, down payments can be borrowed or gifted. Lenders will prefer to see larger down payments. To get a mortgage loan approved, applicants who have a lower down payment may need to purchase mortgage insurance. Verify your current interest rates updated daily. Purchase price equals down payment and borrowed funds “A down payment is money you pay that isn’t financed through a mortgage,” says attorney Michael Belle , “It is typically paid at closing to the home seller.” The down payment, together with the loan, equals the entire sale price of the home. Say your home’s sales price is $300,000.

Pre-approval is essential for every home buyer before they start looking at homes.

This article: Before you shop for a home, unless you’re paying cash, mortgage pre-approval is your #1 home buying preparation tool. You can get pre-approval to know what price range you can afford Realtors and sellers won’t take you seriously without it You will have a smoother and quicker mortgage process These are some of the advantages should Your home will be convincing enough. Only 42 percent go home shopping without pre-approval for a mortgage. Verify your new mortgage rate updated daily.   Steve and Sue's story What if you disregard this advice and go for the virtual tours of a hot market? What if you find love on the first day? That could be a problem because unless you’re paying cash, no one will take your offer. You may not be permitted to visit the property. Ask Steve and Sue, real estate buyers who learned the hard way. Steve and Sue leapt the gun, and started their home search online. After they had found the homes they liked, the couple reached out

First home buyer: Do you have the financial resources to buy a house?

This article: There are three key questions you should ask yourself when you’re a first time home buyer” “Do I have a steady job and reliable income?” “Is my credit history reasonable?” “Do I have money saved up for more than just my down payment?” If you can answer all three questions with “yes,” it may be time to consider homeownership. Verify your current national rates today! “Do I have a steady job and reliable income?” Before you choose to buy a home, you’ll want to be reasonably certain that you can make its monthly payment. You can’t know for  Certain that your job or income won’t change — life happens, after all — but an objective analysis will go a long way. For example, if you’re planning to leave your full-time job in favor of self-employment, be aware that such a switch may be trickier than it appears. Related: First Time borrower? These are the guidelines There are risks in becoming self-employed. Mortgage lenders will require that you have at least one ye

FHA, VA, USDA home loans have appraisal requirements.

FHA, USDA and VA appraisal rules. FHA loans and other government loans, like USDA and VA, may require appraisals and repairs before approval can be granted. Priorities for appraisal and repairs include: Safety and health Structural soundness Protecting your property’s value You may need to make repairs before closing. Or, you might be able do them afterwards with an escrow holdback. Verify your new mortgage refinance rates. Government loans require appraisal repairs The pros and disadvantages of government loans Eligible borrowers have many options, including USDA , VA , and FHA home loans. They have low down payments and rates. These make it easier for people with poor credit and first-time buyers. However, the rules can be complicated. FHA appraisals require that the home be appraised and inspected in accordance with FHA standards. The government sets stricter standards for this person. This may lead to the appraisal identifying areas in need repairs. That’s not a bad

Checklist for home inspection: What to expect on inspection day

Your home inspection checklist A home inspection is a way to find out if your house is in good condition. buyer’s last opportunity to discover problems with the house before purchasing. And it’s a chance for the seller to address those problems and negotiate The buyer will determine the price. Here’s what to expect on Home inspection day for a buyer or seller. Find out what the inspector will do How to handle issues that arise in the process. Verify your home buying eligibility with our “Home Affordability Calculator”. What to expect during a home inspection The home inspection is your last chance as a buyer of a home uncover defects with the house — and potentially get the seller to pay for them. Before sealing the deal and going to escrow. You want to be able to tell the seller what the inspector will see. So you are prepared for their arrival and can make sure everything runs smoothly as possible. Here’s what to expect during a Home inspection A home inspector will

Dual agency can cost you: Beware of “dual agents” when buying a home

This article: “Dual Agents” occurs when one agent represents both the buyer and seller in a real estate transaction. It can lead to problems and increase the buyer’s overall costs. Conflicts of interests are not avoidable. There will come a time when the interests of buyer and seller are at odds.  Always diverge Dual agents favor sellers, as higher sales prices equal more commissions. In some states, dual agency is illegal This form of representation may be preferred by some agents because they feel it’s more efficient when everyone works in the same office. However, dual agency can be detrimental to buyers according to studies. Verify your current mortgage rates . Is it possible to have a double agent? Maybe it’s y our agent? It sounds innocent enough. You walk into an open house and the agent asks if you have a buyer’s agent. She asks you if you have a buyer’s agent and you say no. It sounds good so far. You then make an offer for the house. Now, the agent representing

Multifamily homes: Your house will pay for itself

This article: When considering multi-family housing, there are many factors you should consider. A 2-4 unit property may be more difficult to obtain a residential mortgage due to the rental income. Additionally, the rental income from your 2-4 unit property also could cover or reduce your mortgage, and you’ll build home equity. Many lenders require applicants with property management experience to prove they have sufficient savings for several months of mortgage payments. Any property with one to four units is considered a primary residence by mortgage lenders , as long as the owner intends to live there. You can apply for government loans that require you to live in the property. How Multi Family homes deliver great value Two factors dominate today’s real estate market: shortages of available properties and the growing need for rentals. If that’s your situation, leverage it. Take advantage of competition for housing and consider multifamily homes when buying your Principal re