Tag: firsttimehomebuyer

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Mortgage News Matters

Declined for a Mortgage? You Could Still be Eligible for Homebuyer Assistance

According to an analysis done by Down Payment Resource, there has been an overwhelming amount of mortgage loan applications declined. It was determined that it was due to either insufficient cash-to-close or disqualifying debt-to-income ratios. These declined loan applications represent $3.7 billion in volume furnished by mortgage lenders. Most of these denied applications would have been eligible for homebuyer assistance if they had applied.

Report Findings:

A significant portion of denied loan files were eligible for assistance programs.

  • This large portion of loans that were potentially recoverable with homebuyer assistance at the time of denial demonstrates an extremely low-cost opportunity for lenders to have increased their purchase volume.

Denied applicants were found to have been eligible for multiple programs.

  • Findings reported that declined applications were eligible for an average of 10 homebuyer assistance programs.

 Declined loans had the potential for recovery with homebuyer assistance.

  • Applying homebuyer assistance to a denied loan application on average would have reduced loan-to-value by almost 6%. This would have recovered the application and welcomed more opportunities to achieve a more affordable mortgage with different financing options, lower insurance, and interest rates.
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Mortgage News Matters

Costs to Consider When Purchasing a Home.

Buying a home is likely to be the largest purchase you make in your lifetime. Along with the price tag, there are other costs to also consider. Costs will vary from buyer to buyer due to a few different factors including the type and length of the loan you receive, as well as location and demand. It is important to familiarize yourself with these financial obligations prior to beginning your home search. To help with understanding more about what comes along with the purchase of your home, here is a list of costs you will need to consider.

Down payment:

The down payment is a set price you pay upfront when you purchase a home. Through a conventional loan, a down payment is required and will be determined based on the property type and the price of the home. The amount you put down on a home will affect your interest payment as well. The larger the down payment, the lower your interest rate. However, some loans such as a VA loan or USDA don’t always require a down payment.

Closing Costs:

To finalize your mortgage loan and receive the keys to the property, you will have to submit all closing costs. These costs are each directly related to your mortgage and include the following.

  • Application fee
  • Appraisal fee
  • Credit check fee
  • Underwriting fee
  • Title insurance
  • Title search fee

Property Taxes:

Your property taxes are calculated by your local government where your property is located, and you are required to pay them as long as you own the home. These taxes are based on the value of your home or property and if over time the value is assessed to a higher value, your taxes will increase.

Homeowners and Mortgage Insurance:

Home insurance protects your property against the cost of potential damage from unforeseen circumstances. Homeowners insurance will vary as there are many options available, so it is best to shop around before deciding which one to go with. Mortgage insurance reduces the lender’s risk if you can’t make your mortgage payment.

HOA Fees:

If you are purchasing a home overseen by a homeowners association then you will be required to pay a monthly fee to the community. These fees are in place to keep shared spaces within the neighborhood maintained such as a gym, pool, or landscaping. They also protect other people’s property values by restricting a single homeowner from making a change to their home.

Maintenance Fees:

No matter where you choose to live, you will always have to keep up with regular maintenance and home repairs. Keeping extra funds on the side or setting up an emergency fund for replacing items will help you be better prepared when things break. Planning out a budget and knowing what costs to expect as you begin your home buying journey will eliminate any surprises that you may not have been prepared for.

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Mortgage News Matters

Pros and Cons of Holding an Open House

home for sale with open house sign out front

What is an Open House?

An open house is a scheduled time set for potential buyers to walk through a property that is for sale. Typically hosted by a broker, the owners or renters of the property are absent from the viewing and many potential buyers are welcome to tour the space.

How Does it Work?

Typically scheduled during weekends, brokers welcome potential buyers to leisurely view the property and ask questions, they would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so without a broker present. It is customary for brokers to provide drinks and small plates for those who attend, and many provide collateral that buyers can take with them and refer to with information on the home, such as square footage, number of rooms, and information on the surrounding neighborhood.

The goal of an open house is to secure interest from buyers by providing a rare opportunity to take their time looking at a property closely, before placing an offer.

Advantages of Holding an Open House:

  1. Provides an opportunity to attract potential buyers. When an open house is planned correctly and properly marketed, it can provide a great opportunity to attract potential buyers, and possibly even lead to an offer. Many realtors suggest sellers hold an open house the first weekend that the property goes on the market – to generate the most buzz.

    Open houses can also bring in potential clients who may not have even planned for such an event but happened to be driving by. It’s a great way to appeal to potential buyers in a more casual way and low-pressure scenario.

  2. Provides feedback to realtors from visitors. Another benefit of holding an open house is for the potential for realtors to gain real feedback from visitors – both positive and negative.

    Many realtors find that potential buyers often share their feedback out loud as they walk through the home. This can give realtors crucial insight into buyers’ perceptions and any issues that could keep the owners from making the sale.

  3. Can lead to an immediate offer. If done properly, and by generating enough buzz, an open house can sometimes lead to an immediate offer. When potential buyers are browsing a home with many others also looking to buy, they can get a good sense of their competition. If competition is high, this may encourage them to make an offer much quicker than they ordinarily would otherwise.

    This is beneficial to sellers and buyers alike, as it gives the buyers a realistic idea of how many others like them are also looking to buy in their desired neighborhood.

  4. Allows sellers to cast a wide net. Showing a home to multiple buyers, rather than one at a time only widens the reach of potential buyers for the seller. It is also much more efficient to spend the same amount of time showing a home to a group of people, rather than an individual.

    This, in addition to potential feedback from viewers and an understanding of competition in the market, are huge benefits to holding an open house.

So now that we’ve covered its advantages, what are some of the disadvantages to holding an open house?

Disadvantages of Holding an Open House:

  1. Requires much effort – sometimes more than it’s worth. Planning and executing an open house is not an easy task. In addition to coordinating a time that works best for the owners to be out of the house for an extended period, making accommodations for pets or children, and removing all personal items throughout the home, putting on an open house requires money and time spent on marketing to bring viewers in. And if no offer is made – it can feel like a huge waste.

    That’s why it is important to take the time to properly plan, market, and organize for your open house, if you decide to hold one.

  2. Compared to online listings, an open house requires more time to reach potential buyers. Nowadays, most homes for sale are listed online before they even schedule an open house. And most buyers go online and browse properties from the comfort of their own home.

    Buyers can find almost all the same information online as they would at an open house, like the condition of the home, its details, and even view photos of the property from every angle. This alone, can make open houses seem unnecessary and even antiquated.

  3. Owners are typically required to leave their home for a designated amount of time. Typically, when holding an open house, the homeowners are asked to leave their home and take with them any personalized photos or memorable that can be found throughout the home.

    This can be tedious and difficult to plan for with the daily bustle of normal life. Some would rather avoid having to deal with this added stress and simply list their home online.

  4. Can open the home up to potential theft. Though there are benefits to opening your home for sale to many individuals – with hopes that with increased awareness, comes increased offers – doing so can open you up to potential theft. Open houses can give opportunities for criminals to explore a property and plan a break-in.

    If you are considering hosting an open house, make sure to hide any valuables, or take with you anything that you would not want to get stolen or damaged.
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Mortgage News Matters

What are the Pros and Cons of HOA?

homeowners association document

What is an HOA?

A HOA, or Homeowner Association, is an organization that oversees or manages a private community or subdivision. Run by a board of directors, made up of its community members, a HOA enforces rules and guidelines to be followed within the community, as well as provides upkeep and maintenance of facilities.

Where can you find a HOA?

A Homeowner Association is typically found within communities of single-family homes or multiple unit buildings, like condominiums.

Run by an elected group of individuals within the community, membership is usually mandatory for anyone who chooses to buy a home with an established HOA.

What are the Pros of HOA?

  1. Structure through a set of community rules and regulations. A HOA provides a set of rules and regulations that all community members must follow. This offers a sense of structure and stability for all members and protects and enhances the community’s property values.

    Many of the guidelines are aimed at preserving the home’s exterior, and are focused on the cleanliness of the property, the property’s condition, and any repairs or upkeep that need to be done. Typically, HOA guidelines are aimed at maintaining a uniform appearance for all properties within the community.

  2. Provides access to exclusive services, amenities, and facilities. Like many communities made up of single-family homes or multiple unit buildings, HOA communities offer access to exclusive services, amenities, and facilities.

    These amenities often include landscaping, parking lots, swimming pools, common areas, workout facilities, tennis courts, and party spaces. Some HOA will also cover the cost for snow removal and trash collection for its residents. In addition to offering such services, the fees that community members pay to their HOA covers the costs to maintain each area.

  3. Mediates problems between neighbors. If there is a disagreement or problem between neighbors living in communities with HOA, they can often look to the board to help resolve such issues. This can be anything from a neighbor who is violating a specific rule or regulation, or an issue with a service or amenity on the property.

    Acting as a mediator between community members, a HOA can ease tension and provide a more peaceful, regulated environment.

  4. Opportunity for self-governance of community. Many individuals who live in a community governed by a HOA enjoy the freedom of being a part of a democracy, made up of individuals who live within the community.

    By following rules and regulations set by fellow community members, rather than an outside landlord who may not live on the premises, offers a sense of self-governance and equality.

What are the Cons of HOA?

  1. Often include fees, dues, and assessments. With access to exclusive services and amenities, like workout spaces, swimming pools, and common areas, comes HOA fees that pay for maintenance of each. These monthly fees also go towards upkeep to the exterior of the homes within the community and can be as little at $100 per month and as much as several hundred dollars.

    Because these fees are a requirment for living within said community, they can deter many from moving in. It is important to also keep in mind that these fees can fluctuate and often increase year-over-year. If the fees do not cover the cost to make such needed repairs, they will need to be raised.

  2. Imposes rules and regulations. Though community rules and regulations may provide structure and stability for its members, they can often feel restrictive and unnecessary. Many HOA rules have to do with the outside appearance of the home and often dictate things like the color one can paint their home, as well as which type of windows and doors they can buy.

    HOA even have the authority to decide what type of decorations or landscaping one can maintain and how many vehicles they can have on their property. If these rules are violated, they often result in a fine.

  3. Repercussions for those who default on payments. In addition to fines for violating rules and regulations set by the HOA board, individuals will be faced with addition repercussions if they fail to pay their fees. Dues will be accrued until the individual pays and in some states, not paying these fees can put individuals at risk for foreclosure.

    Keep in mind that these fees go towards the maintenance of shared amenities and property values. Which means that if sufficient funds are not collected, the community will risk losing vital services that keep the community running properly.

  4. May be run ineptly. Because members of a HOA board are volunteers or elected individuals within the community, the association can, at times, be run ineptly.

    These members may not be experienced enough to run a community and often do not receive proper real estate training. This can often lead to more problems for community members and between those on the board itself.