Blog - mortgage

Do's and Don'ts After a Mortgage Application

Once you've submitted your mortgage application, it's crucial to tread carefully in the financial landscape to ensure a smooth approval process. Here are 10 things you should avoid after applying for a mortgage:

1.) Steer Clear of Significant Purchases

Resist the temptation to make large purchases, whether it's a new car or extravagant furniture, in the period following your mortgage application. Lenders analyze your debt-to-income ratio, and substantial new debts can raise concerns about your financial stability.

2.) Maintain Job Stability

Lenders appreciate stability, and changing jobs during the mortgage application process might send red flags. Try to stay in your current job until the mortgage is approved, as it reflects…

14733 Views, 0 Comments

Best Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

For most people, entering a mortgage agreement is the single largest financial responsibility of their lives. Finding the best loan is more complicated than simply accepting the first mortgage offered at your bank, though. Various lenders offer different arrays of loan types and terms, so we do recommend that everyone takes the time to shop around before signing a loan agreement.

The best way to determine which of the potential home loans is the most advantageous is by asking the best questions!

The answers to the following questions will yield a great deal of information for you to examine, which will ensure that you’re fully prepared to choose the single best mortgage for your situation.

Will you be performing a hard credit check on me…

18113 Views, 0 Comments

Will Pre-Approval Hurt My Credit?

Getting mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps toward buying your dream home. Pre-approval boosts the likelihood that the seller will accept your offer and gives you a detailed quote for your homebuying budget. 

But homebuyers often hesitate because they think that pre-approval hurts their credit score. Will it? 

The truth is that it will temporarily lower your score, as is true whenever a creditor pulls your credit report. But the benefits of getting pre-approved outshine the slight dip in your score.

Does a Pre-approval Impact My Credit Score?

A pre-approval usually requires a hard credit inquiry, although a soft inquiry is all that is needed for a pre-qualification. A hard inquiry can lower a borrower's FICO score by about…

16720 Views, 0 Comments

How Do Second Mortgages Work?

Many homebuyers don't know they can take a second mortgage on their homes. The first loan, the primary mortgage, is taken while purchasing a property. A second mortgage is a type of mortgage that lets you borrow against the value of the same property while your first loan is not fully paid. 

Knowing how second mortgages work can be beneficial in the future, especially when you need quick cash for an emergency, school fees, debt, and more. In this article, we’re going to break down how second mortgages work and when you might consider getting one.

What is a Second Mortgage?

A second mortgage is a type of subordinate mortgage obtained while a primary mortgage is still in effect. In cases of default, the proceeds from the home’s liquidation…

10809 Views, 0 Comments

Who Qualifies for Down Payment Assistance?

If you want to purchase a house for the first time but don’t have enough money for a down payment, getting a state or local down payment assistance program might be the best option.

We’re going to look at what down payment assistance programs are all about and how you could qualify for one.

What is Down Payment Assistance? 

Down payment assistance is any funding option or program that makes it easier for homebuyers to get the money they need for a down payment. Both public and government agencies offer these programs, usually as grants. They typically work by either providing the buyer the funds to cover the down payment or waiving the down payment requirements. 

Most of the time, you need to meet some specific income requirements to…

11258 Views, 0 Comments

Buying Mortgage Points - Is It Worth It?

Buying mortgage points is a way to secure a lower interest rate during the home buying process. It can save you several thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan and lower your monthly mortgage payment. Check out this nifty guide to learn how they’re calculated so you can assess if purchasing mortgage points makes sense for your situation.

Mortgage Points: What are they?

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are fees you pay your lender to reduce your interest rate when you purchase homes or refinance. You’ll give your mortgage lender cash upfront to reduce your interest rate for the life of the loan. 

Should You Buy Discount Points?

If you have the budget for buying points, the decision often comes down to…

12060 Views, 0 Comments

Getting a Mortgage for a Rental Property

Purchasing your first rental property is a big step in your real estate investor journey. Aside from choosing a potentially profitable property, you need to figure out how to finance your rental.

Before sharing how to apply for an investment loan, let’s look at how a primary home mortgage differs from a rental property mortgage.

The Difference Between a Mortgage for a Primary Home and a Rental

On the surface, a mortgage for a rental may look similar to a mortgage for a primary home since the application process is the same. However, there are different rules and guidelines lenders follow when you apply for a mortgage on a rental property.

Larger Down Payments

For a primary home, you can make as little as a 3% down payment in some…

12720 Views, 0 Comments

Can I Use My Equity to Buy Another House?

Buying a second home is a dream come true for many. Whether it’s a retirement home, a vacation home, or your first step toward real estate, investing in a second property is a notable achievement in your portfolio. Like a first-time home purchase, a second property requires a down payment, and many consider using their home equity as seed money for funding the investment.  

The short answer to whether you can use your home equity to buy another home is yes, you can. Let’s look at the whole process to see how this works.

Steps For Getting a Home Equity Loan To Buy Your Second Home

1.) Determine How Much You Need

Before using your equity to buy your second home, determine how much you need for the down payment and closing costs. Next,…

13995 Views, 0 Comments

How Do Mortgage Lenders Decide How Much You Can Borrow?

When you apply for a loan, your mortgage lender informs you of the maximum amount you can borrow, and this will help you get an idea of how much house you can afford. The question most buyers ask is how they reach this amount and what factors influence their decision?

Read on to understand the most common factors that lenders look at to know how much you can borrow.

1.) Gross Income

Most lenders prefer monthly mortgage payments don’t exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. At this percentage, they estimate a borrower will not stretch their budget too far and pay the loan without missing any payments.

Your gross monthly income is the amount you earn before deductions and other obligations, including social security, taxes, child support,…

12990 Views, 0 Comments

Which One Is Better? FHA vs Conventional Loan

Dreaming about your first home purchase but still be undecided on whether to choose an FHA loan or conventional loan? While both are popular choices for those looking for a low down payment, some differences may make one loan a better option than the other. 

This article will give you an idea of how they differ and give you insight as to which loan may work best in your situation.

What is an FHA loan?

An FHA loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenient qualifications make it a good choice for those with lower credit scores and those with limited funds for the down payment. 

What is a Conventional loan?

On the other hand, conventional loans are not insured by a government agency and have qualifying terms set by…

12841 Views, 0 Comments