Many new home-buyers make the mistake of rushing out to buy things to fill their home as soon as the seller says "yes" and the loan is approved. There are still a few major hurdles to jump before closing. Here is a list of things to avoid when buying a home:
Fight the urge to go out and buy your new home furniture, electronics, or appliances. Opening new credit could put your credit worthiness at risk when you will need it the most. Using cash to buy things can also be a bad idea because most lenders look at your cash reserve when approving you for a loan.
Lenders will want to see a consistent job history on your application. Getting a new job before you apply for a mortgage may not jeopardize your approval. But in some cases, changing jobs during the mortgage approval process could raise concern and delay your application.
Most lenders will have you submit recent bank statements for accounts in your name: savings, checking, money market, and other assets. Your lender needs to see a consistent rise and fall of your funds each month. Even for innocent reasons, transferring money or switching banks may make it more difficult for your lending institution to document your account history.
Avoid spending the money you have set aside for closing costs. Keep these funds untouched in your savings until closing time.
Your Earnest money deposit does not belong to the seller: it remains yours until closing. The Earnest money is to be applied to your down payment and expenses upon closing. It's wise to put the funds into a trust account with the Title and Escrow Company or your Real Estate Company’s trust account.
Do not give 30-day notice until the inspections have been completed and you have negotiated any repairs that you want to have done. You also want to make sure that the appraisal has been completed and it made the value that you are paying.
Give us a call at 541-683-3300 and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have!
DO: Make sure your loan is approved, not just pre-approved or pre-qualified.DON’T: Go house shopping without knowing what you can afford.
DO: Understand your credit and know your credit scores.DON’T: Open or close credit lines without first consulting with your Loan Originator.
DO: Keep the lines of communication open.DON’T: Be slow to respond to your Loan Team.
DO: Make a Savings PlanDON’T: Make major purchases or open credit cards/loans.
DO: Maintain your current employment and incomeDON’T: Make major changes such as quitting your job or changing jobs.
DO: Have a paper trail for funds coming in and out of your account. DON’T: Make large cash deposits into your bank account other than your paycheck.
DO: Keep good records.DON’T: Be surprised if you are asked for additional documents.
DO: Ask questions.DON’T: PANIC! (Let your Loan Originator at Stepping Stone Mortgage handle it!!)
Credit inquiries have little to no impact on your score. They are the least important factor in your credit score. The 3 bureaus confirm that borrower scores will not drop when a mortgage lender pulls their credit more than once. It’s only temporary drop and your score will be back up in 2-3 months.
The important concept is when someone is shopping for the best rates and applies with several mortgage lenders, they won't get "dinged" for multiple inquiries because the credit bureaus will lump them into an inquiry during that short period of rate shopping. Credit scoring models typically count mortgage, or auto loan, inquiries made over a short time period, such as 2 weeks, to be one credit inquiry for credit scoring purposes.
Applying for multiple credit cards/loans in a short period of time will have more of an effect on your credit score. Reason being, you will have the option to use all credit cards that were opened, then with the mortgage applications, you will only get an approved once.
Your credit score is made up of the following: payment history makes up 40% of your score, while credit utilization is 20%. The length of your credit history contributes 21%, and a total amount of recently reported balances 11%. Finally, new credit accounts are responsible for 5%.
Soft inquiry: Checking your own credit report with the major credit bureaus will not lower your score. If you apply for a job and they pull a credit report does not affect your score.
Hard inquiry: Applying for mortgage loans, credit cards, personal loans, auto loans are hard inquiries.
Credit inquiries do remain on your credit report for the last 2 years.
We are Flexible!
You can schedule a meeting with your mortgage broker at a time that is most convenient for you.
We can offer greater flexibility in our loan products, and great responsiveness to our clients, while the big banks and lenders are focused on mass marketing.
We know and seek out niches that the Big Banks/Lenders don't bother with.
We are Responsive!
We are able to guide you through the lending process in the most efficient, and effective way.
We are personally involved in qualifying you for a mortgage.
We are more likely to roll up our sleeves and do the digging that's necessary to get your mortgage approved.
Quicker Closings!
By having a number of different lenders to choose from, we can work with lenders that have streamlined their closing process.
Knowledgeable in the local real estate market!
We understand the local real estate market and are available to answer any questions and guide you through the loan process.
We are a part of the local and regional economy, so we know what's going on here – and use that knowledge to help you guide you.
We work with local real estate agents, that want to work with buyers whose lenders know the local market and have a reputation for getting deals done. This can be reassurance to the listing agent, and the sellers that their sale will close.
Keeping the business in our community and using our local companies will keep the community strong and growing!
Call Stepping Stone Mortgage today at 541-683-3300 to schedule an appointment with licensed loan originator to have all your questions answered.
There are many reasons having higher credit scores will help you in the home-buying process. If you are looking to do a Conventional Loan, it will be important to have good scores. FHA/VA Loans are much more forgiving to lower scores and financing will still be available to you. Here are some of the less known ways your credit scores can affect your mortgage payment:
Interest Rates
Having higher credit scores can substantially change what your interest rate may be. If your credit scores are lower it may indicate more of a risk to the lender and raise your interest rate. A lower interest rate is still obtainable but would be at a cost that may not even be recaptured depending on how long you plan to own your home.
Mortgage Insurance
Usually when you have lower credit scores, your mortgage insurance premium will be higher in turn raising your total monthly payment. The difference in premiums from one credit score range to another can be significant. In fact, it can amount to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Homeowners Insurance
Having bad credit can even affect your homeowners insurance. Insurance companies will review your credit to help predict losses by determining if you are a risky customer and if you are more likely to file claims. If you have lower scores, this may affect your annual premium, raising your total monthly payment.
If you are looking to purchase or refinance and you have lower credit scores, it will be beneficial for you to work on raising your scores. You may still be able to obtain a mortgage with less than perfect credit by going either FHA or VA. But if you are looking to do Conventional you will end up saving money if you raise your scores. If you have questions about how your credit scores will affect your mortgage or would like to know ways to help raise your scores, give us a call at 541-683-3300.
A cash-out refinance is the process of replacing your old mortgage with a new mortgage of a larger amount and receiving the difference of the amount in cash. Cash-out refinances are a great option if you have equity in your home and you need cash for certain expenses. Home equity increases when you pay down your loan balance and can also increase if your home gains value due to a healthy real estate market or home improvements. There are many uses of the cash from a cash-out refinance but here are some of the most typical uses:1. Paying off high interest debt from credit cardsPaying off high interest debt from credit cards can end up saving you hundred and possibly thousands of dollars a month while also reducing your overall debt.2. Paying off student loans Paying off the debt from student loans can also lower monthly payments and reduce your overall debt. 3. Remodeling your homeHome improvements can be quite expensive and difficult for most people to fund. When you take cash out, you can fund the needed or wanted repairs in your home. 4. Use for college funds If either yourself or a family member of yours needs the funds to go to college, a cash-out refinance can be a great option for you to receive such funds. 5. Use toward the purchase of an investment (rental) propertyThe cash you receive back from your primary residence cash-out refinance can be applied towards the purchase of an investment property. Cash-out refinances can be a wonderful tool. To find out if a cash-out refinance is something that would benefit you and your needs, contact us at 541-683-3300!
FHA 203k Loan
• Purchase or refinance
• Owner occupied only. 1-4 Unit properties, Planned Unit Developments, and FHA approved condominiums.
• FHA down payment as low as 3.5%
• 6% Seller Concessions allowed
• Flexible credit qualifying
Conventional Homestyle Loan
• 1-4 Units properties. Owner occupied, second homes and investment properties.
• Down payment as low as 5%
If you would like more information about the Conventional Homestyle or FHA 203k loan, give us a call at 541-683-3300. We would be happy to help you!
1. What is the first step I should take when I want to buy a home? The first step you should take when you want to buy a home is to go in to speak with a lender. This will help determine how much you can afford and the price range for a house you may be approved for. This will also put you in a better position as a buyer when you are ready to make an offer on a house. 2. What credit score do I need to buy a house? There are many factors that go into what kind of credit score you need to get approved for a loan. The minimum credit score you need to get approved for a loan will depend on the type of loan you qualify for. It will also depend on how much of a down payment you are willing to put down. 3. How much do I need for a down payment? The amount needed for a down payment will also vary depending on a couple of factors. The price of the home you choose and the loan terms that you get approved for. There are different loan options that may let you put down as low as 3% Conventional or 3.5% FHA. There are also 100% financing options and down payment assistance programs that you may qualify for. However, it is important to realize you are required to pay PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) if you put less than 20% down. This will add to your monthly mortgage payment, so it is a good idea to consider this when deciding on how much you would like to put down. 4. What are my options for a home loan as a senior? There are various options for senior citizens looking to get a home loan. If you have enough regular income, you may be able to qualify for a regular mortgage. If you are on living on fixed income such as pensions, social security, or a retirement account you may not be approved for a regular mortgage. However, if you are a homeowner of age 62 or older with equity built up in your home, you may be able to do a Reverse Mortgage. This type of mortgage lets you convert part of the equity in your home into tax-free income and no monthly mortgage payments while you still reside there. 5. What are some first-time home buyer programs? In Oregon, there are many great down payment assistance programs for first-time home buyers. If you are a first-time home buyer locally in the Eugene or Springfield area you may look into local programs such as Eugene HAP, Springfield SHOP, and NEDCO IDA. If you are not looking to buy locally in the area you can click the link below for some more information on down payment assistance programs in Oregon.http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/pages/oregon-bond-program-down-payment-assistance.aspx 6. What costs are included in my monthly mortgage payment? One of the most important aspects to remember is that your monthly mortgage payment will not cover all of the other expenses of home-ownership. Typically, your monthly mortgage payment will include the principal, interest, property taxes, insurance and if you have less than 20% down you will also have PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). It will not include all of the other usual monthly payments such as utilities, internet, cable, and HOA (Homeowners Association) fees. It is important to consider this when determining what kind of house payment you will feel comfortable with once you are ready to buy. We hope this answered some of the questions that may have been on your mind. We are always happy to answer any more questions that come up, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at 541-683-3300.
Buying a home and laying down roots is the American dream for many people. For others, it may be a terrifying thought due to the responsibility and obligations that come along with it. Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that you will ever make but one which will come with many rewards. Here are some of the greatest advantages that drive many renters to home-ownership:
You Gain Equity
Every month when you pay your mortgage payment, you are paying down your loan balance and increasing your equity. Your home equity can also raise when the market value of your house increases. Home equity is typically a homeowner’s most treasured asset as it can be very valuable in the future to pay for financial needs such as home improvements, medical expenses, or education.
You Enjoy Tax Deductions
Your rent payment is not tax deductible. The interest portion of your mortgage payment could be tax deductible*. Owning your home can reduce the amount you pay in income taxes each year and in turn put more money back in your pocket.
*Consult your tax advisor.
You Have Privacy
If you live in an apartment you share the walls, ceiling and floors with your neighbors. In a single-family home, you have privacy and your own space.
You Have a Fixed Payment
Your rent payment almost always increases when your lease is renewed. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, your mortgage payments will never go up.
You Take Pride
If you live in an apartment or rent a house, you can feel like you only have a place to stay. When you own your home, you get the pride of home-ownership.
You Can Make Your House A Home
When you own a house, you have the freedom to make the living environment what you desire. You can have pets or make the changes that you want to without a landlord’s approval.
We know that buying a home is big decision and will bring forth many questions. If you are considering buying a house and have questions, just give us a call at 541-683-3300! We would love to educate you and help you make the best possible decision for what is most important, you!