The American Dream makes us think we have to buy a home or we aren’t living life the right way. Is that the case, though? Today many people choose to rent (or are forced to do so), and is it really all that bad? Both buying and renting have their pros and cons.Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here.We help you understand both sides below. The Long-Term Commitment of Buying Buying can help you make money on your investment, but it’s a long-term investment. Do you know what you will be … [Read more...]
Understanding the Difference Between Prepaid Items and Closing Costs
When you close on your mortgage, you’ll pay many fees, each of which has different names. Two of the most common expenses are prepaid costs and closing costs. Even though the closing agent collects both expenses at the closing, they mean different things.Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here.Keep reading to learn about the difference between prepaid items and closing costs. You’ll understand the mortgage process better and find the loan that’s right for you. What’s Included in Prepaid … [Read more...]
Can you Use Non-Traditional Trade Lines to Get a Mortgage?
You need good credit to get a mortgage, but what happens if you don’t have any credit? It’s not a bad thing to not be in debt, but lenders also don’t have anything to use for their decision. How do they know how you handle your finances without a history of your payment habits?Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here.Some lenders allow the use of non-traditional credit or non-traditional trade lines. Everyone pays some type of bills in their life. That’s exactly what non-traditional trade … [Read more...]
What’s the Minimum Required Credit Score for a Home Equity Loan?
You have equity in your home if your home is worth more than your mortgage’s outstanding balance. If you have equity, you may tap into it with a home equity loan. In order to do so, you must meet the lender’s requirements for a home equity loan including the minimum credit score requirements.Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here. What Credit Score do You Need? Lenders put a lot of emphasis on the credit score. It tells a lender your level of financial responsibility. It’s not the only … [Read more...]
The Top Methods to Use to Counter Offer a Home Inspection
If you have a home inspection contingency on your purchase contract, you have the right to counter offer with the seller after receiving the inspection report. If you see things in the report that you don’t like, you can go back to the seller and ask for either him/her to complete the repairs, give you the money to cover the repair costs, or you can walk away from the sale.Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here.It sounds easy, but sellers aren’t always willing to negotiate. Keep reading … [Read more...]
How Long Does a Title Search Take?
You don’t have control over a few components in the mortgage approval process, one of which is the title search. All mortgage companies require a clear title before they will clear your loan to close. But just how long does the title search take?Get Matched with a Lender, Click Here.Typically, the process takes two weeks, but each situation differs. The title company you use, their current workload, and the complexity of the search play a role in how long it takes. What is a Title … [Read more...]
What Length of Employment is Right to Get a Mortgage?
You’ve probably heard that you have to be at your job for at least two years before you can get a mortgage. While it’s not a lie, there are ways to get around this two-year requirement. Lenders today are more flexible with the employment requirements simply because they know that many people today are changing jobs to better themselves or even start their own business.Looking for Current Mortgage Interest Rates? Click Here.Keep reading to learn how your length of employment can affect … [Read more...]
How Much of Your Credit History do Lenders Review?
Most borrowers focus on the credit score when applying for a mortgage. They figure they need the highest score possible to get a good interest rate and/or loan approval. While it’s true that having a great credit score increases your chances of loan approval, don’t discount the importance of your credit history.Looking for Current Mortgage Interest Rates? Click Here.Your credit history tells the lender a story of your financial responsibility. Even if you have a great credit score today, … [Read more...]
Employment Verification for Stated Income Loans
In the past, stated income loans required very little verification. You stated your income, proved your credit score and provided assets – this was all the lender required to approve you. Then the housing crisis happened and the stated income loans took the brunt of the blame. Most lenders refused to offer stated income loans at all. After a few years, guidelines relaxed a little and portfolio lenders started offering stated loans. Today, you can find them at a variety of lenders; however, they … [Read more...]
Are Hard Inquiries on Credit Report Permanent?
Did you know that every time you submit an application for credit, it goes on your credit report? It’s called a hard inquiry and it lets other lenders know that you applied for new credit. This is the case even if you aren’t awarded the new credit. Looking for Current Mortgage Interest Rates? Click Here. Too many inquiries can have a negative effect on your credit score. One inquiry is only worth five points, but if you have a lot of them, it can bring your credit score down significantly. So … [Read more...]
