28
Jun
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

The Top Things To Know When Refinancing Your Home

The Top Things to Know Whne RefinancingIf you are thinking about refinancing your home in the near future, you probably know that this is a great way to shorten the term of your mortgage while also saving money. At the same time, refinancing your home does not come without risks. Take a look at some of the top things you should do and what to avoid before you go through the refinancing process.

Do Check Your Credit Score

Always check your credit score before you begin the refinancing process. A surprising number of credit reports contain errors, and you need to correct any errors on your credit report before you apply for a new home loan. If you do not correct the mistakes ahead of time, you could end up with a higher interest rate on your new home loan than you should.

Don’t Forget To Think About Closing Costs

You need to consider closing costs before you apply for a home refinance. Just because interest rates have gone down doesn’t necessarily mean you will save money. In general, if you can get a home loan that is at least a half of a percentage point lower, you should save money when compared to the closing costs you will owe; however, you should always do the math to calculate your break-even point. 

Do Think About The Equity You Will Have Left

If you complete a cash-out refinance, you need to calculate the amount of equity you will have left after the refinancing process is complete. While you might want to conduct a cash-out refinance to cover a major home repair or renovation, you do not necessarily want to completely deplete the equity in your home. You could end up with a very high-interest rate if you do so.

Don’t Forget To Talk To Your Lender About All the Options

When you refinance your home, you have multiple options available. You can tap into the equity in your home, reduce the size of your mortgage payments, or shorten the term of your loan. You should think about your goals and decide which option is best for your needs. Always talk to an expert before completing the refinance process.

24
Jun
By First Rate Financial Group
Home Mortgage Tips

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage After Declaring Bankruptcy? Yes — and Here’s How

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage After Declaring Bankruptcy? Yes -- and Here's HowIt may feel like a very daunting task to consider buying a home after you’ve declared bankruptcy, and there’s no doubt that it’s an uphill battle. Fortunately, while you’ll have hard work ahead, there are things you can do in order to make your dream of home ownership a possibility. Whether you’ve just declared bankruptcy or some time has passed, here are some things you should consider before getting into the market.

Wait It Out

It might not be what you want to hear, but it’s, unfortunately, the case that you’ll have to wait at least two years before you purchase a home following bankruptcy. Since lenders will not want to take the risk on someone that has proven to have poor financial habits, they will require a waiting period in order for the credit risk you pose to improve. While this may seem like a long time, take the opportunity to improve your financial habits so you can be amply prepared when the time comes.

Build Up Your Credit

In order to own a home, you’ll need to develop some solid financial habits, and that means getting on top of your finances even in times when it feels like you have no leverage. Ensure you get a copy of your credit report and, if you notice any errors, reach out to the credit bureau for corrections. It’s also a good idea to consider applying for a secured credit card and ensure that you pay all of your bills on time. While it might feel like a lengthy task, developing good habits will have a positive impact on your credit over time.

Prepare For Your Payment

When it comes to a poor credit history, you’ll need to pull out every stop you can to that convince lenders that you’re a solid financial bet. Instead of wasting the time, write up a budget for yourself and save a sizeable sum for your down payment each month. It’s possible that 10 or 15% down will do, but a 20% payment will help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) and will go further in convincing lenders of your reliability.

It’s more than a little disheartening to have to deal with bankruptcy, but by waiting it out and developing good financial habits in the interim, you’ll be well on your way to buying a home. If you’re currently preparing to purchase, contact your trusted mortgage professional for more information.

23
Jun
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

A Home Loan For an AirBnB Property: What To Know

A Home Loan For an AirBnB Property: What To KnowIf you are looking for a way to diversify your investments, you might be thinking about buying a rental property. One of the most common rental options is AirBnB. Given the number of people who use AirBnB, this could be a great way to generate a steady stream of short-term renters. On the other hand, can you take out a loan to buy an AirBnB property?

There Are No Mortgages Specifically For AirBnB Properties

First, understand that there are no home loans available specifically for AirBnB or VRBO properties. If you go to a lender and ask for an AirBnB loan, they will direct you to a traditional investment property mortgage. Regardless of whether you want to do short-term loans through AirBnB or a long-term loan that you handle on your own (or through a formal property management company), the mortgage you will apply for is the same. What are the options you have available?

Options For An AirBnB Property

If you want to rent out an AirBnB space, you have a few options. First, you could always consider renting out a room in your primary residence. This could be a less expensive way for you to start generating some income through AirBnB.

Or, you can apply for a traditional investment property loan through a mortgage company. This loan uses the value of the investment property as collateral. The process of applying for this new mortgage will be similar to the process of applying for your first mortgage, but the lender may require you to put more money down. 

Finally, you could also move and buy a multi-family property, such as a duplex. Then, you could live in one of the units while renting out the others. This could be a nice middle ground between the other options.

Consider Using AirBnB To Generate Rental Income With Your Own Rental Property

These are a few of the top options available if you want to use AirBnB to generate rental income. It is one of the most popular rental apps, and the process of applying for a loan for an AirBnB property is the same as applying for a loan for any other type of investment property.