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How to get the home you’ve always
wanted
without the money you thought you always needed |
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The
report will provide this important information:
- Glossary of critical terms
- Pertinent facts about home ownership
- How you can qualify for a ZERO down mortgage
- How you can qualify for a 3% down mortgage
- Value of the home for which you can qualify
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Glossary of Critical
Terms
Closing Costs—These are costs which are not controlled by the
lender and are required for anyone purchasing a home regardless of loan
amount or lender. These include expenses such as attorney fees, title
insurance, survey, recording fees, appraisal, and termite inspection.
All of these services are provided by independent professionals who are
not affiliated with your lender. You can usually figure on your closing
costs being approximately 1 to 1½ percent of your loan amount.
Conventional Loan—A loan that may or may not require Private
Mortgage Insurance. (Any loan amount with 20% or more down payment will
not require PMI. Any loan amount with zero or 3 to 19% down payment will
require PMI.) This type of loan is subject to the qualifying guidelines
set forth by FNMA (Fannie Mae) or FHLMC (Freddy Mac).
Credit History—This is a “snapshot” of your past and
present debt, current available credit, and a rating of your debt
repayment history. This is very important to a lender so that he can
know if you are a good credit risk.
Down Payment—The difference between the loan amount and the
sales price of the home you are purchasing. This is measured in a
percentage; for example, a 3% down payment on a $70,000 home would be
$2,100.
FHA Loan—A loan that is insured by the Federal Housing
Authority. This loan is geared toward providing mortgages for moderate
to low income families and is subject to the qualifying guide lines set
forth by the Federal Housing Authority.
Interest Rate—The percentage of interest charged on the amount
of money borrowed. This rate will vary slightly from lender to lender
and will vary according to the type of mortgage chosen (30 year fixed, 3
year adjustable, etc.). Now is an excellent time for mortgage interest
rates as 1996 has ushered in consistently dropping rates that are the
lowest in over 30 years!
Mortgage Broker—A mortgage broker is different from a single
lender/bank in that he represents many different lenders in much the
same way a travel agent represents many different airlines. Most people
don’t call a single airline and expect to get a complete picture of
all available flights and prices, and yet some people will call a single
lender/bank and end up choosing the wrong type of financing which can
literally cost them thousands of dollars. A mortgage broker’s
knowledge and complete view of all financing options can enable people
with low income, self-employment, commissioned income, or even credit
problems to obtain excellent financing. A mortgage broker’s
compensation as your consultant (much the same as a travel agent) is a
finders fee paid by the lender. These lenders always offer better rates
and superior prepayment privileges and often shave as much as a half
percent point off the normal market rate.
Pre-paid Costs—These are the costs that cover your escrow
account for the future payment of interest, property taxes, and
homeowners insurance. Property taxes are set by the appropriate
government taxing authority and, unfortunately, are not negotiable.
Depending on the regulatory agency, (FHA, Fannie Mae, etc.), you will be
required to pre-pay anywhere from 2 to 11 months of property taxes at
closing. Premiums for homeowners insurance are set by the insurance
company you select, and you are required to pay your first year
homeowners’ insurance plus two additional months at closing. You can
usually figure on your pre-paid costs being approximately 1 to 1½
percent of your loan amount.
Private Mortgage Insurance—This insurance is required for most
loans that have a down payment of 20% or less. Private Mortgage
Insurance insures the lender in the event that you default on your
mortgage payment and the lender is forced to sell your property at a
loss.
HDA Funding—The Housing Development Agency is a state
subsidized program funded by proceeds of federal tax exempt bonds,
otherwise known as Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Recipients are first-time
homebuyers with a limited income, looking for modest housing.
VA Loan—A loan that is insured by the Department of Veteran’s
Affairs. This type of loan is available only to veterans and is subject
to the qualifying guidelines set forth by the Department of Veteran’s
Affairs. |
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Most people who rent can actually
afford to buy their own homes. So what’s stopping them?!? |
Many tenants
believe that owning a home requires a big down payment. They find
it difficult to save for this while continuing to pay regular
monthly bills. Others are convinced they can’t qualify for a mortgage—that
even if they did qualify, the payments would be too large. Almost
everyone is overwhelmed by the legal and financial red tape they believe
surrounds the purchase of a home. So, the easy way out is to just keep
paying rent! If you see yourself in any of these situations, here
are a few facts that can change your mind:
Most people actually qualify for a 3% down mortgage but don’t
realize it. Some people can actually qualify for a ZERO down payment
mortgage!
There are special government programs that help first-time homebuyers
come up with a down payment.
The average mortgage payment costs about the same as the average rent
payment. For example, if you are paying rent of $650 per month, you
could be paying that amount toward owning a home of your own worth
$77,500. This home would probably provide more space and privacy than
what you now have.
When a survey of renters was conducted, 77 percent said that the
biggest reason they don’t even check into owning their own home is
their fear of feeling obligated to buy—or worse, being hounded by
salespeople.
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How can I qualify for a ZERO
down payment mortgage? |
FHA Loans
An FHA Loan is geared toward first-time homebuyers with a goal of
assisting moderate to low-income families into homes of their own by
providing incredibly reasonable and achievable mortgages.
This type of loan is officially considered a 3% down mortgage;
however, your down payment, closing costs, and pre-paid costs can come
from a gift, another secured loan, a retirement fund, an investment or
401K, or any number of approved sources apart from your pocketbook!
To qualify you need:
2 years of steady employment in the same field of work.
clean credit report for 1 year, but you can have credit problems
from the past.
clean credit report for 2 years following a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
clean credit report, but can even be in the process of a Chapter
13 Bankruptcy.
VA Loans
A VA Loan is available only to veterans and is geared toward
providing modest housing for individuals with moderate to low incomes.
This is truly a ZERO down payment mortgage. The loan amount is 100%
of the sales price of your new home, plus the VA funding fee—the loan
amount is actually slightly higher than the price of the home! Closing
costs and pre-paid costs can come from a gift, another secured loan, a
retirement fund, an investment or 401K, or any number of
approved sources. In most cases, the seller will pay closing costs and
pre-paids. Now, why on earth would they do that? When the price of the
home can be adjusted, it actually doesn’t cost the seller anything.
For example, if you are looking at a home that is listed at $65,000 but
is actually appraised to be worth $68,000, then you can purchase the
home for $68,000 and the seller will pay your closing costs and pre-paids
with the difference! It may sound strange, but this happens VERY
frequently.
To qualify you need:
2 years of steady employment in the same field of work.
clean credit report for 1 year, but you can have credit
problems from the past.
original Certificate of Eligibility.
copy of DD–214.
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How can I qualify for a
3% down payment mortgage? |
FHA Loans
As stated, an FHA loan is officially considered a 3% down mortgage.
If you have saved enough to cover your 3% down payment and your closing
costs and pre-paids, then you are way ahead of the game.
Otherwise, keep in mind that your down payment, closing costs, and
pre-paid costs can come from a gift, another secured loan, a retirement
fund, an investment or 401K, or any number of approved sources.
To qualify you need:
2 years of steady employment in the same field of work.
clean credit report for 1 year, but you can have credit
problems from the past.
clean credit report for 2 years following a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
clean credit report, but can even by in the process of a
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
Conventional Loans
Conventional loans are geared toward people with good credit and some
savings to cover down payment. There is a highly specific type of loan
for first-time homebuyers called the Community Home Buyers program. This
loan does require a 3% down payment of your own funds (not from a gift
or a loan). As in a VA loan, the sales price can be adjusted so that the
seller can (and of ten does!) pay your closing
costs. You will, however, be required to cover your pre-paid costs with
your own money.
Since this program is intended for first-time
homebuyers, there is a maximum income limit.
To qualify you need:
2 years of steady employment in the same field of work.
clean credit report for 1 year, with few credit problems from
the past.
3% down payment of your own funds.
approximately 1 to 1½% to cover pre-paid costs.
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How do I figure the value of the
home
for which I can qualify? |
| Rely
on your Home Loan Specialist to help you measure your financial capacity
when considering a loan. A rule of thumb would be to divide your gross
monthly income by your total outstanding debts (including the new
payment on the home you wish to buy). Generally, you are allowed 40% of
your monthly income to be used for you housing expense and all other
current obligations which are outstanding (credit cards, auto loans,
student loans, etc.).
The best thing would be to get pre-approval for a loan—even
before you begin looking for a home! Yes, you can get approval for a
home loan—even before you find a home. Schedule a free, no-obligation
loan evaluation session. With your “Approval Certificate” for
a specific loan amount, you can shop with confidence for your dream
home. |
Take
the Stress off YOU - Pre-Qualify Now for a
Loan BEFORE You Move |
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