Unexpected Homebuying Roadblocks
Your offer has been accepted on your dream home and you have a down payment, good credit, and little debt. So the escrow process should be a breeze, right? WRONG! There are some surprising deal breakers that can quickly cause the transaction to go south. Here are a few of the most common ones.
Closing Lines of Credit
Maybe you’ve realized you have a few more credit cards than you’d like your lender to see. Time to shut ’em down before they check your credit, right? Not so fast. Closing down multiple accounts could actually ding your credit. Credit is composed of a few key components, the age of an opened account being one biggie. Shutting down multiple accounts will also lower your credit utilization rates, which can be yet another credit killer. Research the impact of any change to your credit before taking action.
Not Calculating the True Cost of your Mortgage Payment
The cost of homeownership goes far beyond a monthly mortgage check. There are HOA fees, maintenance costs, PMI, etc. Make sure you’ve calculated — and recalculated — whether the cumulative costs will be feasible. You don’t want a nasty surprise when you finally crunch your numbers and realize they don’t fit within your current financial circumstances.
Forgetting Maintenance Costs
Remember that you’ll have to spend much more time and money on the dream house with a pool in the backyard. If you simply don’t have the budget for a home with a pool, communicate this to your agent before you start looking at houses. The last thing you want is to end up falling in love with a home you simply can’t afford to maintain.
Assuming Fixtures are Part of the Deal
Make sure you and the seller agree on exactly what will be included — and what the seller will be taking to their new home sweet home. Things such as light fixtures are often assumed to be a part of the package, but if it’s an heirloom chandelier from the seller’s grandma, chances are they’ll consider it fair game to take when they go. Set out clear expectations of what’s staying and what’s going to avoid any confusion or upset.
Buying a home can be stressful, but with a little preparation (and the right lender and real estate agent) things can go relatively smoothly. No matter what happens, remember to stay flexible. Some things may arise that are out of your control. How you respond can ultimately sway the outcome — and hopefully get you the house of your dreams!
How Does Divorce Affect Mortgage Borrowing
Let’s face it: getting a mortgage can be a royal pain in the ass regardless of whether or not you’re recently divorced. Unfortunately, adding a divorce to the picture makes it even more difficult, although not impossible. Here are some things to consider:
What to plan for: By providing your mortgage company with the most accurate and true picture of your circumstances — starting with the loan application — you’re helping them to find the best way to structure your loan for a favorable credit decision. The lender will also look at your divorce decree for any other undisclosed/non-credit report financial obligations such as child support, alimony/spousal support paid or received.
If you receive income in the form of child support or alimony: This income can be used for qualifying for the mortgage, so long as there is a six-month history and the income will continue for the next three years, determined by child support or an alimony agreement detailing the terms of the obligation for the party paying the debt.
If you pay alimony or child support: This reduce your borrowing ability as debts reduce income, and income is needed to offset a mortgage payment.
If you are divorced even as long as 20 years ago: Unfortunately, there is no statute of limitations on mortgage loan underwriting. The full divorce decree will be required no matter how many years you have been divorced.
If you own a house and are on a mortgage with an ex-spouse: As long as the divorce decree awards the other party with the home, and the other party is willing to provide supporting evidence that they make the mortgage payments on that home — by providing 12 months of bank statements and/or canceled checks — the total mortgage payment on that home can be omitted from the decision-making process on your new mortgage, which can improve your ability to qualify.
If you and your ex make the mortgage payment from the same joint bank account and the divorce decree awarded the other party with the property: You are both 50-50 responsible because the money is “co-mingled” funds from the same place to pay the obligation. There is no way to support your position that one person is responsible for making the payment because it’s coming from a joint account.
If the ex-spouse is responsible for making the mortgage that you are also on: Explore the possibility of having the ex-spouse refinance you off the mortgage obligation.
If your ex-spouse is refinancing you off a mortgage loan: A final closing statement called an HUD could be required by the lender you’re working with for procuring your loan to omit the payment from the other house.
If you have a joint consumer credit such as credit cards, installment loans, auto loans or even student loans: Unless you can prove the other party is for responsible for the credit obligation (with 12 months of canceled checks or bank statements), those liabilities will be factored into your ability to qualify.
Tips If You’re Not Yet Divorced
It’s so important to create a marital settlement agreement prior to being divorced. This is a precursor to getting a divorce that could be a great asset in helping you qualify for home financing. Navigating the financial questions that inevitably come up during the separation or divorce can easily be taken care of by having a clear delineation in writing on whose property is whose.
Consumers planning a divorce in the future would also benefit by separating their finances. This means having separate bank accounts, and paying any obligations from these separate accounts. If you are trying to get a mortgage, or will be trying to get a mortgage, consider having a conversation with mortgage professional upfront, who can guide you through the complexities in the underwriting process during a divorce.
3 Things to Know about FHA Loans
FHA loans are popular with mortgage borrowers because of lower down payment requirements and less stringent lending standards.
Simply stated, an FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Borrowers with FHA loans pay for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender from a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
Less-than-perfect credit is OK
Minimum credit scores for FHA loans depend on the type of loan the borrower needs. People with credit scores under 500 generally are ineligible for FHA loans. The FHA will make allowances under certain circumstances for applicants who have what it calls "nontraditional credit history or insufficient credit" if they meet requirements. Ask your FHA lender or an FHA loan specialist if you qualify.
Lender must be FHA-approved
Because the FHA is not a lender, but rather an insurer, borrowers need to get their loan through an FHA-approved lender (as opposed to directly from the FHA). Not all FHA-approved lenders offer the same interest rate and costs -- even on the same FHA loan.
Costs, services and underwriting standards will vary among lenders or mortgage brokers, so it's important for borrowers to shop around.
Closing costs may be covered
The FHA allows home sellers, builders and lenders to pay some of the borrower's closing costs, such as an appraisal, credit report or title expenses. For example, a builder might offer to pay closing costs as an inducement for the borrower to buy a new home.
Borrowers can compare loan estimates from competing lenders to figure out which option makes the most sense.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage?
If you’re thinking about purchasing a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, you should know that your credit score is hugely important.
Banks and mortgage lenders use your credit score(s) to evaluate your creditworthiness, which translates to a higher or lower mortgage interest rate, and even determines eligibility.
Which Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use?
First and foremost, you might be wondering which credit score mortgage lenders use, seeing that there’s no sense focusing on something they won’t actually look at to determine your creditworthiness.
The short answer is FICO scores, which are the industry standard and relied upon by just about everyone.
There are three FICO scores you need to be concerned with, including one from Equifax, one from Experian, and one from TransUnion, which are the three main credit bureaus.
Know Your Credit Scores Long Before Applying for a Mortgage
Before you actually head out to get a mortgage, it’s good practice to view your credit scores long before you apply. I’m talking several months in advance because any necessary credit score changes/improvements take time.
For example, any mistakes (or legitimate issues) holding your credit score down may take months to get cleared up. And you won’t want to leave anything to chance. Yes, the credit bureaus are bureaucratic, so nothing happens all that quickly.
Also, be sure to go with a service that allows you to see all 3 credit scores, as mortgage lenders typically pull a tri-merge credit report, which includes credit scores from all three bureaus.
The bureaus each report information a little differently, so knowing just one score won’t do you (or your lender) much good.
As far as lenders are concerned, it basically allows them to triple-check your credit before making the decision to hand over a large sum of money. They use the mid-score for pricing/qualification, so it’s imperative that all 3 credit scores are in tip-top shape.
For example, if your credit scores are 650, 680, and 720, a mortgage lender would use the 680 score, which is a decent but below-average credit score.
Lower Credit Score = Higher Mortgage Rate
Put simply, a lower credit score will lead to a higher mortgage rate, and vice versa. This all has to do with risk. The lower your credit score, the higher the chance you’ll default on your mortgage, at least that’s what the statistics say.
So if your credit score is too low, you probably won’t even get approved for a mortgage. Lenders simply won’t want your business. It’s just that risky.
Lately, banks and lenders have become even more stringent, requiring higher credit scores than they have in the past.
Credit Score Below 620 Considered Subprime
As far as conventional mortgage loans go, a credit score below 620 is typically considered subprime, meaning you’ll have a difficult time qualifying for a mortgage, and if you do, you’ll receive a subprime mortgage rate.
In general, you want a credit score above 720 to avoid any negative pricing adjustments, but a 760 credit score might be the new rule if you want the best possible terms and lowest rates. If you’ve got excellent credit, you can even get a reduced mortgage rate.
In summary, your credit score is probably the one thing you have complete control of, whereas things like job, income, and assets can be at the mercy of external forces. So do your best to strive for perfection in order to get the best deal on your mortgage.
Some Useful Credit Tips for Those Shopping for a Mortgage
- Credit scores are the single most important factor in determining your mortgage rate
- Aim for a 760+ credit score to get the best pricing and to avoid scrutiny
- Credit scores aren’t everything, what’s on your credit report matters as well!
- Know the contents of your credit report and what your scores are long before your lender does
- Any mistakes or missteps can be corrected, but take time, often several months!
- The FHA now requires a minimum credit score of 500, or 580 if you put less than 10% down
- Conventional loans generally require a minimum credit score of 620
- Credit scores below 620 are considered subprime and will be priced much higher
- Lenders pull all three of your credit scores and use the median score for qualification
- Low credit scores can also disqualify you for certain loan programs and/or limit your options
- Don’t mess with your credit before or during the loan application process!
2 Ways to Build Passive Income Streams in Different Markets
It's wise to build passive income streams in the young adult years and allow them to grow. Before long, you'll be earning significant money from your previous work.
Two Easy Ways to Build Significant Passive Income
Passive income is great because it's a way to earn income without putting in a lot of work on a consistent basis. Technically, passive income works because a person does an amount of work in the beginning, but the cash flow is reoccurring and provides financial health. This is especially beneficial for the older generations as they continue to age and desire to preserve their energy.
Invest in Real Estate: Condos, High Rises, Homes
For some people, the thought of owning multiple properties may sound daunting and almost impossible. However, there are many ways to earn money as a real estate investor. One of these ways involves rentals. You can purchase a home, condo, or high rise by researching various investment property financing options. Don't be deterred by the idea just because of the finances. When you prepare a house to put on the market as a rental, you'll be able to earn a lot of money on a monthly basis. A few years of rental income can easily pay off an entire mortgage without your help and the rest becomes profit.
Books, Music and Other Copyrighted Material
Books are great forms of passive income for building wealth. An author spends a significant amount of time writing a book. Once it's published and available for sale, the book will sell over and over. The same concept applies to music. The percentage that's paid to the creator is called a royalty. With the right marketing plan and a wide audience, anyone can experience royalty checks in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are also many celebrities who make a lot of money from their book tours and book signings. If you don't consider yourself a good writer, but you have a story to tell, hire a ghostwriter. They'll create the content and you'll be able to eloquently share the story with the world.
Finances and the Future
Passive income streams eliminate the process of exchanging time for money. When you free up your time and can still earn lots of money, this is a dream that most people long to experience. In the meantime, be intentional about creating passive income streams and you'll experience financial freedom in no time.
Preparing in Advance for Your Home Purchase
The home buying process is a fulfilling and gratifying one that requires financial acumen and discipline.
Preparing for Financial Planning and Home Ownership
Purchasing a home is a big deal. Whether you are looking to buy a high rise, condo, or house in Las Vegas, it takes a lot of dedication and patience to turn a dream of home buying into a reality. Once some people hit a certain age, they automatically assume it's time to purchase a house. While it's good to own a home, it's wise to be fully prepared to own that home. This mainly depends on what your financial situation is like and how well you can be disciplined with what you have.
Financial Status
Your finances play a major role in this process. While it would be ideal, most people don't have the money to purchase their home with cash. In this case, many people get loans to cover the mortgage. There are so many options to choose from such as first-time home buyer options and lending mortgage options. No matter what route you choose, it's best to have the money to make the down payment on the home. Some programs will allow you to only have 3-5% down to pay for a home. Many finance educators and experts encourage 20% down payment. You'll also want to consider the expenses outside of the home purchase such as furnishings, repairs, closing costs and relocation fees. If you prepare for a home purchase the right way, you won't need to deplete your savings to make it happen.
Discipline
It takes a high level of financial discipline to purchase a home. When the mortgage lenders take a look at your credit score, they want to know that your chances of paying back the loan are very high. This boils down to how you handle money and what your money mindset is like. If you're mindful and intentional about your savings and investment accounts, you'll be in great shape to experience the beauty of being a homeowner.
Consistency
It's one thing to gain all the information. It's another thing to make sure you remain consistent with the information you gain. If you make those baby steps with building discipline and apply those lessons you learn about handling your finances, you'll be in a dynamic position to purchase a home and handle all that comes along with it.
Derek Parent Team
Looking for a new condo or high rise to be your Las Vegas home? Contact us today! Derek is the only person in Las Vegas that offers down payment assistance and mortgage lending towards the purchase of high rise condos in Las Vegas.
The Truth About Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payment Plans
Traditionally, your mortgage payment is a monthly cost. You submit your payment once a month to the mortgage company, and your money is applied to principal, interest, and escrow. But many mortgage lenders also offer biweekly mortgage payment plans that allow you to pay in installments every two weeks instead of every month. Biweekly payment plans sound simple and straightforward: You pay biweekly instead of monthly and reduce the balance on your loan faster. In theory, by using one of these plans, you pay less interest over time, build equity faster, and get rid of your mortgage ahead of schedule.
But before you sign up for a biweekly mortgage payment plan, it’s important to understand the pitfalls — and consider whether putting this concept to work on your own makes more sense.
Should I sign up for a lender-sponsored biweekly mortgage payment plan?
Unfortunately, these mortgage payment plans don’t always work as well as they claim. What actually happens is that you send in your biweekly payment to the company servicing the loan, and then they hold your payment until the second one arrives. Only after the company has the full monthly payment amount do they apply the money to your mortgage — which means as far as the mortgage company is concerned, you’re still making one payment per month.
In effect, this saves you nothing in interest because your funds are still only being applied as if you were making monthly payments. Worse still, some biweekly mortgage payment plans can actually ending up costing you more money, because the companies that offer these plans often charge additional fees to handle and deliver the payments for you.
If they don’t help pay off a mortgage early, why do these payment plans exist?
Considering the potential costs for the borrower, it may seem silly for lenders to even offer this plan. What’s the point if using the payment plan is no different than if you paid on the regular monthly schedule? Consider this: Most lenders who originate loans don’t actually service those loans. A third party handles the payment and the processing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a plan to pay down your mortgage loan ahead of schedule. You just don’t need to set it up through a lender-originated plan.
How can I pay off my mortgage early on my own?
There’s nothing wrong with the idea of paying extra on your mortgage and accelerating the rate at which you pay off the loan. You can make extra payments at any time, and you can do so in a variety of ways. Consider adding a little more to each monthly payment you make to help pay off the mortgage early. If you know you have an extra $100 in your budget each month, tack that on to your payment. For example, on a $100,000 loan (assume a 30-year fixed mortgage and 4% interest), paying an extra $100 a month can cut approximately 8.5 years off the life of the loan — and save $22,463.76 in interest. That’s some serious cash.
Another option? Create your own biweekly payment plan. By skipping the third-party processing (and the fee they add on for doing so), you’ll end up making an extra payment each year that you wouldn’t make if you paid monthly. You can also continue to pay monthly but make one extra mortgage payment at some point during the year to get the same result. Anytime you have extra money on hand — from a tax return, bonus from work, or gift — you can apply these funds to your mortgage too.
Just be sure that any extra payments you make are applied to the principal of your loan, not just the interest. This ensures you’ll actually receive the full financial benefit of paying extra toward your mortgage and be on track to pay off the loan early. You’ll also want to ensure that the terms of your mortgage will not leave you with a prepayment penalty should you pay extra or early.
4 Financial Benefits to Buying a Home
Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, and there's no denying that now is a great time to purchase a home. Here are four reasons why it makes a lot of financial sense.
1) Homeownership Builds Wealth Over Time
Most of us were taught growing up that owning a home is financially savvy. Although that confidence was shaken during the economical turbulence of recent years, real estate is still proving to be a great long-term investment.
2) You Build Equity Every Month
Your equity in your home is the amount of money you can sell it for minus what you still owe on it. Every month you make a mortgage payment, and every month a portion of what you pay reduces the amount you owe. That reduction of your mortgage every month increases your equity.
3) A Mortgage is Like a Forced Savings Plan
Paying that mortgage every month and reducing the amount of your principal is like a forced savings plan. Each month you are building up more valuable equity in your home. In a sense, you are being forced to save and that's a good thing.
4) Long Term, Renting is Cheaper Than Buying
In the first years it may be cheaper to rent. But over time as the interest portion of your mortgage payment decreases, the interest that you pay will eventually be lower than the rent you would have been paying. But more important, you are not throwing away all that money on rent. You have to live somewhere, so instead of paying off your landlord's home or building, you're paying off your own!