03
Nov
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

Looking to Close Faster? Follow This Easy Guide to Speeding Up the Mortgage Process

Looking to Close Faster? Follow This Easy Guide to Speeding Up the Mortgage ProcessIf you’re buying a home, you’ll want to try to get your mortgage processed as quickly as possible. Improperly filed mortgage applications are one of the biggest reasons why home sales get delayed, and if you have a hard move-out date already set, it’s critical that your mortgage process goes smoothly.

With careful planning, though, you can shorten the mortgage process and get your financing approved faster. Here’s what you need to do to speed up the approval.

Get Your Paperwork in Order Before You Apply

One of the biggest reasons why mortgages get delayed is because the applicant is missing a vital piece of paperwork. Something like a missing pay stub or a forgotten home insurance document can hold up the mortgage process, so make sure you have everything you need before applying for your mortgage.

When you apply for your mortgage, you’ll need pay stubs dating back four weeks, plus a bank statement for the last 30 days. Note that you’ll need the actual mailed statement from your bank – online screenshots don’t qualify. You’ll also need a homeowner’s insurance declaration document and any legal documents pertaining to your finances, like a divorce decree.

Keep Your Finances Consistent Once You’ve Applied

Once you’ve started the mortgage approval process it’s critical that you keep your finances fairly consistent, as major changes will mean your mortgage lender will need to restart the evaluation process. Try to avoid making larger than usual bank deposits, and don’t take out a new loan or credit card. Keep your credit card usage similar to where it’s been in the past.

If you do end up making major changes to your finances, make sure you send the proper documentation to your lender as soon as you can. Call ahead of time to make sure you know what you need to send.

Don’t Forget to Mention Assets and Debts

Before your mortgage is approved, your lender will want to take a thorough look at your existing debts and assets. If you exclude information, your lender will need to spend extra time untangling the situation and determining your proper finances. Make sure you tell your lender about any and all investment properties you own, mortgages on other homes, or loan and credit card balances that are past due.

Getting a mortgage is a complicated process, but having your documents in order can speed things up and ensure you get your mortgage on time. Not sure what you need to bring to your lender? Contact your local mortgage professional for a list of the documents your lender will need.

27
Oct
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

Mortgages 101: How to Calculate How Much You Will Need for Your Down Payment

Mortgages 101: How to Calculate How Much You Will Need for Your Down PaymentIf you’re planning to buy a home in the near future, you’re probably already in the process of saving up for a down payment. But if you haven’t seen a mortgage advisor or started looking at properties yet, you probably don’t have a good idea of what a down payment will cost you. Different mortgages have different down payment requirements, and you’ll need to figure out ahead of time how much of a down payment you need to put forward.

Following are some general guidelines. Be sure to speak with a knowledgeable, local lender to get the best advice for your area

How can you calculate what you’ll need for a down payment?  Here’s what you need to know.

Look at What the Lenders Are Asking For

When it comes to down payments, you’ll need to take into account what lenders want to see. A lender wants to know that you can afford the home you’re planning to buy. That’s why a sizable down payment looks great on a mortgage application.

Although you can pay as little as 5 percent down, a 20 percent down payment looks better on paper. It also means you don’t have to get private mortgage insurance, which will save you money in the long run on a conventional mortgage.

Use Your Debt-to-Income Ratio as a Guideline

Your debt-to-income ratio is a measurement that you can use to determine what kind of a mortgage you can afford. Your down payment will be subtracted from your total mortgage, and it’s your monthly mortgage payment that will determine your debt-to-income ratio.  As a general rule, your non-mortgage housing expenses (or your back end ratio) should probably account for no more than 28 percent of your before-tax income.  With all housing costs included (mortgage or rent, private mortgage insurance, HOA fees, etc.) most lenders are looking for the debt-to-income ratio (the front end ratio) of 36 percent or less.

Lets say for example, you want to get a $300,000 mortgage amortized over 25 years and you expect to make a $25,000 down payment, your monthly mortgage payment will be approximately $916.67. To afford that mortgage payment, you’ll probably need to have a total before-tax household income of around $3273.82 per month. But if you were to increase your down payment to $50,000, your monthly payment decreases to about $833.33 making the debt-to-income ratio lower if you made the same amount of money.  

Doing the Math: Down Payment Requirements for Various Specialty Mortgages

Although there are certain laws around how much of a down payment you’ll need, in some cases the rules are different. The Veterans Affairs office provides mortgages through private lenders designed specifically for active military service people, veterans, and their spouses. A VA home loan requires zero down payment for loans that are within the maximum conforming loan limit, with a 25% down payment on the difference if you opt to buy a house worth more than the loan limit.

Your down payment size will influence a variety of other factors, like your mortgage terms and whether lenders are willing to give you a mortgage. A mortgage professional can help you understand the nuances of down payments. Check with your trusted mortgage advisor to learn what will for your particular situation.

22
Oct
By support
Home Mortgage Tips

Understanding the Reverse Mortgage and How to Best Use This Unique Financial Tool

Understanding the Reverse Mortgage and How to Best Use This Unique Financial ToolIf you’ve studied the real estate market recently, you’ve probably heard about the reverse mortgage. This unique tool is a financial arrangement designed for senior citizens who have limited incomes and want to use the equity in their homes to meet their everyday expenses. And although it’s becoming increasingly popular, few homeowners truly understand it.

So how does a reverse mortgage work, and when is it appropriate for a homeowner to get one? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan that uses your home equity as collateral – essentially, you borrow money against the value of your home. But unlike home equity loans, you don’t have to repay a reverse mortgage until you sell your home or are no longer able to meet the terms of the reverse mortgage. If you’ve paid off your home in full, a reverse mortgage can be a great source of income if you don’t have other income streams to rely on.

However, there are tight restrictions around who can quality for a reverse mortgage. To receive a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 years old and you must use the property in question as your primary residence. You also need to have equity in your home – you can’t owe more on the property than it’s worth.

The Benefits and Risks of This Arrangement

A reverse mortgage is a fast and easy way to access funds. The most popular kind – a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage – is a federally insured reverse mortgage that offers strong borrower protection. Most reverse mortgages don’t have any income requirements or monthly payments, and they can provide elderly seniors with a much-needed supplemental income.

Reverse mortgages can be risky. The processing fees can be high as 5% of your home’s value. If you spend the funds irresponsibly and miss property tax or homeowners insurance payments, your reverse mortgage may come due.

How to Make a Reverse Mortgage Work for You

The best way to use a reverse mortgage is to take it in the form of a variable-rate line of credit. And according to the AARP, longer loan terms are better – especially if you may need long-term care.

A reverse mortgage can be a great tool for meeting your expenses if you’re beyond your working years. But it also carries some risks, which is why you’ll want to make sure you have a thorough plan for how you’ll use the funds. Contact your trusted mortgage professional to learn more about reverse mortgages and if they will work for you.