Financing Your Home

If you are considering applying for a mortgage to purchase a new home or to refinance your present home, don’t delay. Despite fluctuation in interest rates, lenders are still processing many new loan applications.

You should gather all the necessary paperwork before you apply, and submit your loan application as soon as possible. At a minimum, the information required by a lender will consist of proof of your earnings and a clear picture of your total monthly income and expenses. If you are self-employed, or have long-term obligations such as alimony or child support, the preparation time and the amount of paperwork increases.

Despite the need to move rather quickly for a mortgage in today’s market, you should “make haste carefully.” Shop carefully for your loan by comparing all costs and terms. With the number of lenders vying for your business, new and better deals are always appearing.

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The most important thing to look for when you are shopping for a mortgage is the interest rate, right? Not necessarily. There are many other factors to consider, including the lender’s charges for making the loan, the terms under which the loan will be approved, and the lender’s reputation for timely completion of loan applications to meet purchase agreement deadlines.

When real estate agents are involved in sales transactions, they don’t tell buyers which mortgage companies to use. They can provide the names of established lenders in the area who have provided good service to their customers. They can give general information about the different mortgage options that are available today. Using a low interest rate as the main criteria for choosing a mortgage could cost you money–and perhaps the home you want–if the company cannot deliver on its promises.

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Interest rates fluctuate as changes occur in the general economy. If you purchased your home when interest rates were higher, you may want to consider re-financing your loan at a lower rate.

You will have to apply for the new mortgage and have your current income eligibility assessed. Depending on how long you have had your present loan, a current appraisal may be required. There are closing costs, such as attorney, title fees, recording and notary fees, and appraisal charges. The biggest factor in your decision should be the length of time you plan to remain in your home. If you will be there for only a year or two more, it might not pay to re-finance. If you will be in your home longer, re-financing could provide you with lower mortgage payments. Your real estate agent can help you work out the numbers and can refer you to reputable home appraisers and mortgage lenders.

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Nationwide surveys indicate that a large number of potential home buyers count themselves out of the market because of widely-held myths about home financing. Some of the most prevalent myths include: 1) home buyers need large down payments (more than is actually the case); 2) the loan process works against people under age 35; 3) owning a home is more expensive than renting; and 4) minorities have no chance of getting a mortgage.

The surveys found that many people view the mortgage process as “difficult, stressful, and incomprehensible.” Many qualified first-time buyers are unaware of special programs designed to make home ownership affordable to them. The home loan industry is always looking for new ways to dispel these myths because lenders want more business, not less. The alternatives to traditional 20% down, thirty-year fixed mortgages are astonishing. Mortgage brokers are experienced in explaining today’s financing and debunking the myths.

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One of the most common deterrents to first-time home buyers is the lack of a down payment. However, the home loan industry has practically re-created itself in the last ten years, making it easier than ever to obtain a mortgage, and new mortgage programs are always cropping up.

Some states sponsor loan programs that allow buyers to purchase a home without putting any money down. A parent or other relative can guarantee repayment of ten percent of the loan if the buyer defaults. The only cash needed is for the closing costs, which typically run about three percent of the loan. Parents can also give their children down payment help through a personal note or second trust deed. The terms can be set up for monthly payments or annual payments amortized over a period of time. You could pay the interest only, and have the payoff due when the property is sold.

With so many alternatives, doesn’t it make sense to call your real estate agent for a free consultation? You may be closer to home ownership than you think.

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With home prices and interest rates increasing, many buyers are having to stretch financially to buy a home. Most purchase agreements allow buyers to get out of the contract if they can’t qualify for a mortgage, so if you are selling your home, be sure to get some reassurances before you make a commitment to buyers. Most contracts now require timely loan applications and pre-qualifying letters from the lender.

There is no way to be absolutely certain that buyers will be able to obtain financing, but I will eliminate those who are not financially qualified. As a real estate professional, I help buyers determine what they can afford and whether there are financing alternatives that can stretch their buying power. My training and experience enable me to resolve difficulties quickly to avoid wasting time.

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Many lenders help prospective buyers get pre-approved for a mortgage loan before the buyers begin a serious house-hunting effort. If you are in this position, give the loan officer all of the information about your assets, income, and debts so they can tell you how much you will be able to borrow under the available loan options. The loan officer will do a credit check and work with the lender to straighten out any problems with your credit rating.

Pre-approval from a lender can make you more attractive to the seller when you find the home you want. Multiple offers sometimes come in on a house, and you may find yourself competing with other buyers. In that case, it is helpful if you have included a letter from the lender with your offer stating that you have an approved loan and are, indeed, qualified to buy. This will also save you time by eliminating from consideration any homes that you would not be able to afford.

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Many homeowners overlook the mortgage payment as a tool for financial management. They get the mortgage, move in, make the payments, and pay off the loan eventually. Smart homeowners know that by properly adding to their monthly payments, even by a small amount, they can substantially reduce the term of their loan, not to mention the total interest they will pay. In fact, prepaying one full year of a standard mortgage can save thousands of dollars in interest. The key is to do it properly and to find the right lender for whom prepayment is not a problem.

More progressive lenders allow the option to add money to the monthly payment which goes directly to the principal. How much should you add? It’s largely a personal decision, and it depends on your cash flow. But be mindful of the fact that the mortgage interest rate is probably the lowest interest loan you will find, so don’t short yourself with prepayment only to run up credit card debt!

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When you calculate how much you will need to purchase a home you will add up the down payment and closing costs. It is also a good idea to leave yourself with some financial cushion to cover the incidental expenses associated with moving.

First, you will have to pay the moving company unless you can find friends with strong backs who will help you. Then many buyers plan to do some work, such as painting, replacing carpet, or refinishing floors. If you are moving into a larger space, you may find yourself making some major furniture purchases within a few months of closing.

A financial cushion is important enough that some lenders require buyers to have an amount in the bank equivalent to two or three months mortgage payments. This is especially true for buyers who are putting less than ten percent down. Your real estate agent can give you guidance. A lot depends on your overall financial situation. If your mortgage is a relatively low percentage of your monthly income, you will be able to rebuild a comfortable amount of savings in a few months.

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When home buyers shop for financing, they must consider two important factors–the interest rate and the points. Each point is equal to one percent of the mortgage amount. If you are selling a home, the buyers may ask you to share the points with them.

The buyer usually pays the points. But if the offer is attractive and will give you the amount you want, paying one or more points might be a good idea. When a contract is presented, your real estate agent will go over the price and terms to help you calculate the net price you will receive. If the offer isn’t strong enough or has risky contingencies, you might make a counter offer to increase your profit on the sale by eliminating the points from your selling costs or by increasing the price to help you absorb additional costs you will pay.

In some cases, buyers with limited cash may need some assistance from the sellers to make the transaction work. Your real estate agent will help you look at the total picture and the buyer’s overall qualifications, so that you can make a decision based on the bottom line.

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