Tag Archives: Purchase

Secret Ingredient to Selling

Posted on by

Being open to flexibility can often be the secret ingredient to selling your house.

The idea of downsizing can feel daunting, like trying to fit your entire life into a tiny car. Yet, for those who’ve invested time and money into a large family home, the thought of moving into something smaller can seem overwhelming.

However, downsizing doesn’t erase the memories made in your old home – those family gatherings, the first steps of your children, or the grand holiday celebrations. As life evolves and your nest empties, the idea of downsizing can become more appealing. Many Americans embark on this journey, especially after retirement, seeking a simpler lifestyle, reduced housing costs, and freedom from maintenance tasks like painting and mowing.

According to Emmet Pierce’s article on downsizing for MoneyTalksNews, opting to rent can make selling your home and relocating a more straightforward decision. “Renters have the flexibility to live wherever they choose and experience life in different communities. And once your lease is up – sometimes even before – you’re free to move on.”

But whether you choose to sell and rent or buy something smaller, dealing with clutter becomes inevitable. An organization expert quoted by Pierce explains, “Retirees in large homes often find themselves using only a few rooms, while other areas collect clutter because maintaining such a vast space becomes overwhelming.” Downsizing offers liberation from unused items, providing more breathing space.

Moreover, downsizing can enhance your quality of life and reduce stress, according to aging experts. Letting go of unnecessary furniture, outdated gadgets, and unused exercise equipment can be liberating, giving you more room to relax.

Are you tired of navigating stairs daily, burdened by the constant ups and downs? Downsizing can address mobility issues, offering homes with better accessibility, enabling you to age in place comfortably.

If you miss the convenience of urban living after moving to the suburbs for a larger home, downsizing could be the answer. Transitioning to an apartment or condo in the city center brings you closer to amenities, entertainment, and even potential job opportunities, reducing the need for long commutes.

Source: MoneyTalkNews, TBWS

Is it time to buy an investment property?

Posted on by

Is it advisable, at the age of 25, to consider purchasing a house for rental purposes as an investment, leveraging rental income to pay off the mortgage?

Real estate has historically proven to be a lucrative investment avenue due to its potential for cash flow, particularly through rental income, and appreciation over time. While the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis saw a decline in home values, most areas have since rebounded, returning to pre-crash levels.

Before delving into rental property investment, it’s crucial to define your expectations thoroughly. This involves evaluating potential cash flow, which may occasionally be negative. Here’s a structured approach to analyzing this:

Start by researching market rental rates in your area, utilizing online resources or the rent survey typically required by lenders for appraisal purposes. Consider adjusting your gross income estimate to account for vacancy and collection losses, as well as potential expenses associated with eviction, albeit rare.

Factor in repairs and maintenance costs, acknowledging that despite the current condition of the property, these expenses are inevitable. Additionally, allocate funds for replacements, such as estimating the remaining lifespan of major components like the roof.

Expect to provide a larger down payment for a rental property compared to an owner-occupied loan. Lenders may also require reserves, typically around 6 months’ worth, although this varies. Maintaining cash reserves is prudent regardless.

Bear in mind that interest rates for investment properties are typically higher than for primary residences. Utilize spreadsheets or online calculators to calculate principal and interest payments, and estimate property taxes and hazard insurance premiums.

Subtract all negative figures—vacancy, repairs and maintenance, replacement reserves, and monthly mortgage payments (including taxes and insurance)—from the property’s gross income to determine cash flow. A positive result is ideal, while a negative one indicates a monthly deficit that needs covering. Assess whether your stable income or liquid assets are sufficient to offset this deficit.

Consider other pertinent factors:

Is your regular income stable and ample to cover potential shortfalls?
Have you set aside emergency funds for both property-related issues and personal contingencies?
Are you prepared to hold onto the property for an extended period, perhaps five years or more?
Will your job situation permit you to remain in the area? If not, budget for a property manager, typically charging around 10% of monthly rent.
Is your current living situation satisfactory? You might weigh whether purchasing your primary residence should precede investing in rental properties, given the lower cash requirements and financing costs.

I trust this guidance proves beneficial. Best of luck!

First-Time Homebuyer Advice

Posted on by

Best advice I would give to first-time homebuyers
________________________________________
I was once asked: We’re in the process of hopefully purchasing our first home, and I’m a little lost on everything that is going on. What’s the best advice you would give to first-time homebuyers?

Undoubtedly, your primary step in the home buying journey should involve securing your financing. While I acknowledge that this advice may appear biased, considering my involvement in the mortgage business, it’s a reality that the majority of today’s home buyers rely on mortgages, making this part of the process more intricate than before.

Despite the potential complexity, obtaining a mortgage today is not as insurmountable as some may portray. Recognizing your credit situation is pivotal. Lenders don’t demand perfection, but it’s crucial to be aware of your standing. Check your credit report on platforms like Free Credit Report.Com or Creditkarma for free and promptly address any errors, past-due accounts, or public records.

Collection agencies often settle for amounts less than what is reported. However, exercise caution when settling collections older than two years, as it might impact your credit score. Establishing a relationship with a reliable loan officer early on is crucial. Seek someone responsive, trustworthy, and capable of offering clear guidance.

Initiate the preapproval process with your chosen loan officer by submitting essential documents such as pay stubs, W2s, and bank statements. The Automated Underwriting System (AUS) will swiftly provide initial findings. Aim for “Approve/Eligible” or “Accept” results and inquire about a “TBD Approval” for added strength in your offer to sellers.

I hope you find this information helpful. Best of luck on your home-buying journey!

How Can a Mortgage Professional Help With Divorce?

Posted on by

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway…divorces are complicated! There are many questions that an experienced mortgage professional can help answer before you finalize your divorce.

 

For example:

Can one of us afford the family home or do we need to sell it?

Will I have enough income to qualify for a mortgage after the divorce?

Is my credit score good enough to qualify?

Will I have enough assets to refinance or purchase a new home?

Do I have the right job and/or job history for mortgage qualification?

What’s my home worth?

Will the family home appraise high enough to pull out equity to cover the cash I owe my spouse, or do I need to pull funds from another source?

What’s the consequence if my Ex-spouse keeps the home but can’t refinance it into their name after the divorce?

What’s the best loan for me post- divorce?

Attorneys are not mortgage experts and there are many nuances in the mortgage world that can totally derail the perfect divorce settlement. Rainbow Mortgage Inc. takes a very proactive role in assisting our attorney friends and their clients in making sure their post decree housing goals are met.  We help you to (1) make realistic decisions about what is possible, (2) understand your loan options, and (3) structure a mortgage loan focusing on your post-divorce goals.  We are happy to help you by participating in client-attorney meetings to discuss potential initial options, provide revised options (if necessary) prior to the final signing of the decree, provide an estimate of what your home is worth using our AVM tool (which is the same tool used by lenders to evaluate whether a value on an appraisal is reasonable) and at no cost to you or your attorney, review the decree prior to it being sent to the judge.

Here are a few examples of items in a divorce decree that have caused client issues in the past:

(1) The length of time that a person is to receive support payments does not meet lender guidelines to qualify for a mortgage loan.   Different loans have different guidelines however, standard guidelines require that a borrower prove that they will receive the income for a minimum of three years following the funding of the mortgage loan.  The dates listed in the decree must be carefully monitored and possibly adjusted if the divorce process goes on for an extended period before it’s finalized.

(2) Child care expenses are being shared and the decree lists a payment that is to be made monthly to a specified bank account- underwriters will sometimes consider this child support which can throw off a person’s monthly budget causing them to no longer qualify for a loan.

Divorces are complicated but the mortgage doesn’t have to be with the right professionals in your corner. We can offer you the help you need and why wouldn’t you take it?  Contact us for a FREE consultation and decree review.  We only get paid when you are happy with our service and your loan closes.  It’s a Win-Win for you!