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Mortgage News Matters

4 Benefits of Downsizing to a Condo

condominium building set on a bright blue sky

Downsizing from a home to a condominium is a great option for homeowners who find themselves using less of their space, looking to downsize, or simply interested in a home that requires much less maintenance to take care of.

Significantly smaller than a typical home, a condo can be a townhouse, loft, or high rise, and often includes additional costs, like homeowner’s association fees and homeowner’s insurance.

To help you decide whether this choice is right for you, we’ve decided to share four of the major benefits of downsizing to a condo.

What is a Condo?

A condo, or condominium, is a privately owned unit within a community of other units. Like an apartment complex, a condo is part of a larger building. However, unlike an apartment, residents are the owners of their own unit, rather than merely renters.

What are the Benefits of Downsizing to a Condo?

  1. Pricing. Depending on your market, owning a condo can often be more cost-efficient than owning a home. It is said that in rural areas, single-family homes appreciate at a greater rate compared to a condo of the same size. However, in cities, condos rise in value quicker than single-family homes located further from the city center. It is important to keep location in mind when looking for the best pricing.
  • Less Maintenance. Significantly smaller in size, condos require relatively less maintainance to take care of than a home. This gives residents more time to spend doing the things they enjoy.
  • Onsite Amenities. Like an apartment complex, condos often have onsite amenities like pools, gyms, and community areas – to name a few. Residents pay HOA fees that cover costs like maintenance of these common areas, so they can enjoy these amenities without having to worry about upkeep. 
  • Sense of Community. Condos are set up like little neighborhoods. They often become close knit communities where everyone feels a sense of trust and belonging. This can be a relief for many who like their independence but also want to feel a sense of community.

Considering downsizing, but aren’t sure if a Condo is the right choice for you? Check out our upcoming blog on the benefits of downsizing to a townhome.

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Mortgage News Matters

How to Get Your Contract Accepted: Tips on Making Your Offer

contract and pen on table

Making an offer is a thoughtful process that should be done with great care and consideration. To help, we’ve shared 8 helpful tips for getting your contract accepted.

  1. Get pre-approved. Getting preapproved by a lender before making an offer tells you how much buying power you truly have and helps pre-determine your bottom line.
  2. Offer earnest money. Earnest money is a deposit made from the buyer to the seller once the offer has been accepted and is typically kept in an escrow account. This ‘good-faith deposit’ shows the buyer’s commitment in selling the home and can be kept as cash or later applied towards the purchase of the home.
  3. Shorten inspection, or due diligence period. The due diligence period is the time between signing the contract and inspection of the property. During this time, the buyer still has the option to walk away from the sale. Shortening this period separates the serious buyers from those who are not so sure.
  4. Reduce or eliminate certain contingencies, such as inspections or move-in dates. This reduces common time-consuming obstacles to the home buying process.
  5. Include an escalation clause. Ideal for a multiple offer situation, an escalation clause states that your bid will automatically raise, if another buyer bids higher than you. This allows buyers to continually remain on top of the competition.
  6. Submit an offer letter. A personal note expressing an emotional connection to the home shows the seller that you are not just any other buyer – you genuinely care and would take great pride in owning their home. This also helps to provide buyers with a competitive edge.
  7. Make a clean offer. A clean offer is a simple offer. Meaning, it is easier to close. Clean offers refer to those that have short financing and appraisal contingencies, and a shortened due diligence period. Clean offers are essential when buyers find themselves in a competitive seller’s market.
  8. Present a strong (or best) offer price. If it is in your budget to do so, consider offering more than the asking price. This will set you apart from other buyers and provide you a competitive edge.



To learn more about making an offer and tips to getting your contract accepted, contact your local VanDyk Mortgage Loan Originator today!

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Mortgage News Matters

What are the Benefits of Renting vs. Owning your Home?

street sign that says rent and own

Deciding whether to rent or own a home is a personal choice that requires careful consideration. In order to help you eliminate biases and make the right choice for your unique situation, we’ve listed the benefits of each below:


Benefits of Renting:

  1. Lower Acquisition Cost. Typically, buyers need an average of 3.5% – 23% of the purchase price for their down payment and closing. Compared to the cost of 1-2 month’s rent, renting is less costly in the short-term.
  2. Lower Qualification Standards. Though some programs, like FHA loans, have more flexible guidelines, renting requires less invasive paperwork by far.
  3. Freedom to Move. Renting allows the flexibility for renters to move every year when their lease agreement is up.
  4. Fewer Maintenance Costs. Renters can rely on their landlord or property manager to quickly fix any maintenance issues they may have. Homeowners, however, are responsible for all costs that go into all home repairs.

Benefits of Owning:

  1. Personalization. Owning a home gives the owner more freedom to alter their home’s appearance.
  2. Stability. Rentals can see drastic increases in price due to fluctuations in the market. Owning a home, however, ensures consistent monthly payments.
  3. Tax Benefits & Savings. Homeowner’s may be eligible for tax deductions on their home mortgage interest, property taxes and origination/discount points for owning a home.
  4. Appreciation of Property. Historically, home prices have exceeded consumer inflation, even with periods of declining value taken into account.
  5. Increased Net Worth. According to the Federal Reserve Board of Consumer Finance, the average net worth of renters was just $4,000 compared to that of homeowners worth $184,400.


To learn more about the benefits of renting vs. owning, contact your local VanDyk Mortgage Loan Originator today!

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Mortgage News Matters

What Does a Lender Look for When Approving My Loan?

business professional holding clipboard that says 'contract'

When beginning the pre-approval process, most lenders are looking for a few major things: Credit History, Capital, Employment, and Collateral.

  1. Credit & Credit History. Lenders will use your current credit and past credit history as an indicator of your ability to repay your debt. They will look at how much you currently owe, how often you borrow, how often you pay your bills – and if you often pay them on time, as well as how well you live within your means. To check your credit score, visit annualcreditreport.com.


  2. Capital. Capital tells the lender how much money you have, to put towards your down payment, as well as funds that will remain in your accounts after closing to be used for reserves. This includes such things as moving expenses, money required to turn on utilities, emergency repairs, or cost of ongoing maintenance. This is crucial information as you begin your home buying journey and apply for a loan.


  3. Employment. Employment tells the lender approximately how long it will take you to pay back your debt. They will check things like your previous employment history, as well as your current employment situation. Lenders are looking for stability in your income earnings trend to help determine its likelihood of continuance.


  4. Collateral. Collateral protects the lenders in the case that borrowers are unable to repay their loan. This is equally important to lenders as credit, income, and employment, as it acts as a safety net in the unfortunate circumstance that the loan is unable to be paid.

For more information on the Loan Application and Loan Process, contact your local VanDyk Loan Originator today!