Things to consider when Buying a home

Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step?

In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes greatly exceeds the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show you’re serious about buying a home in Los Angeles is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before you start your search. Even if you’re in a market that’s not as competitive, understanding your budget will help you know if your dream home is within your reach.

“It’s highly recommended that you work with your lender to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting. Pre-approval will tell you how much home you can afford and can help you move faster, and with greater confidence, in competitive markets.” One of the advantages of working with a local real estate professional is that many have relationships with lenders who will be able to help you with this process. Once you’ve selected a lender, you’ll need to fill out their loan application and provide them with important information regarding “your credit, debt, work history, down payment and residential history.”

The ‘4 Cs’ that help determine the amount you’ll be qualified to borrow:

Capacity

Your current and future ability to make your payments.

Capital or Cash Reserves

The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash

Collateral

The home, or type of home, that you would like to purchase.

Credit

Your history of paying bills and other debts on timeGetting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers you’re serious about buying, and it often helps accelerate the process once your offer has been accepted.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready and willing to buy, getting pre-approved will help you feel more informed, and may even give you the competitive edge you need in today’s homebuying process.

Buying a Home? Do You Know the Lingo?

To start you on your path with confidence, we have compiled a list of some of the most common terms used when buying a home.

Appraisal

A professional analysis used to estimate the value of the home. A necessary step in validating the home’s worth to you & your lender to secure financing.

Closing Costs

The cost to complete the real estate transaction. Paid at closing, they include: points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs, items that must be prepaid or escrowed. Ask your lender for a complete list of closing cost items.

Credit Score

A number ranging from 300-850, that is based on an analysis of your credit history. Helps lenders determine the likelihood that you’ll repay future debts.

Down Payment

Down payments are typically 3-20% of the purchase price of the home. 0% down programs also exist, ask your lender for more information.

Mortgage Rate

The interest rate you pay to borrow money to buy your house. The lower the rate, the better.

Pre-Approval Letter

A letter from a lender indicating that you qualify for a mortgage of a specific amount.

Real Estate Professional

An individual who provides services in buying & selling homes. Real estate professionals are there to help you through the confusing paperwork, find your dream home, negotiate any of the details that come up, and to help you know exactly what’s going on in the housing market.

The best way to ensure that your home-buying process is a confident one is to find a real estate pro who will guide you through every aspect of the transaction with ‘the heart of a teacher’, putting your family’s needs first.

7 Things to Avoid After Applying For a Mortgage

Congratulations! You’ve found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new home! But before you make any big purchases, move any money around, or make any big-time life changes, consult your loan officer. They will be able to tell you how decision will impact your home loan.

Below is a list of 7 Things You Shouldn’t Do After Applying for a Mortgage! Some may seem obvious, but some may not!

Don’t change jobs or the way you are paid at your job!

You loan officer must be able to track the source and amount of your annual income. If possible, you’ll want to avoid changing from salary to commission or becoming self-employed during this time as well.

Don’t depost cash into your bank accounts

Lenders need to source your money and cash is not really traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan office.

Don’t make any large purchases like a new car or new furniture for your new home

New debt comes with it, including new monthly obligations. New obligations create new qualifications. People with new debt have higher debt to income ratios..higher ratios make for riskier loans.. and sometimes qualified borrowers no longer qualify.

Don’t co-sign other loans for anyone. When you co-sign, you are obligated

As we mentioned, with that obligation comes higher ratios as well. Even if you swear you will not be the one making the payments, your lender will have to count the payment against you.

Don’t change bank accounts. Remember, lenders need to source and track assets

That task is significantly easier when there is consistency among your accounts. Before you even transfer money between accounts, talk to your loan officer.

Don’t apply for new credit

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new credit card or a new car. When you have your credit report run by organizations in multiple financial channels (mortgage, credit card, auto, etc.), your FICO® score will be affected. Lower credit scores can determine your interest rate and maybe even your eligibility for approval.

Don’t close any credit accounts

Many clients have erroneously believed that having less available credit makes them less risky and more likely to be approved. Wrong. A major component of your score is your length and depth of credit history (as opposed to just your payment history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both those determinants of your score.

Bottom Line

Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way that ensures your home loan can still be approved. The best advice is to fully disclose and discuss your plans with your loan officer before you do anything financial in nature. They are there to guide you through the process.