Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Down Payment – How Much Do You Need? By Celina Vazquez

Down Payment – How Much Do You Need? By Celina Vazquez 




Gone are the days when anyone could buy a home with just a promise and signature. No documentation loans allowed virtually anyone to buy a house with no money down with just a simple credit check. After the mortgage meltdown, this all changed. Lenders tightened guidelines and down payments were back.

But how much do you actually need? Must you always find 20% down? The answer might surprise you; there are many ways to buy a home with less than 20% down payment.

 0% Down – There are still two loan programs which allow one to buy a home for no down payment; the VA loan and the USDA loan. The VA loan requires the borrower to be a qualified service person or veteran and the USDA loan is for certain areas under the Department of Agriculture.
 5% Down – Conventional loans with loan limits can allow one to buy a home with as little as 5% down. These loans do have PMI (Private mortgage insurance) which can be eliminated when the loan amount falls below the 20% threshold.
 3 ½ % Down – FHA offers first time home buyers a good home loan for only 3.5% down payment. Again these loans have loan limits and PMI but offer a faster entry into the housing market.

Buying a home doesn’t always mean 20% loan. If you’re considering buying a new home, talk to your lender about your options.




Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Top 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Sellers

Top 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Sellers 


With the start of the New Year, thoughts naturally turn to change. If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to sell your home, then making the right resolutions can help you sell your home quickly and for the best possible return.

Top 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Sellers 

1. Move Up Spring Cleaning – Time to do your spring cleaning now. Declutter, depersonalize and make the home look roomier.

2. Stage Your Home – Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, this is the time to rearrange your furniture to make your rooms look bigger and brighter.

3. Think it Through – Before you spend money on renovations and upgrades, think carefully and don’t overspend by guessing.

4. Take Care of Neglected Repairs – This is a great time to hire a handyman or break out the tool belt to take care of deferred maintenance and take care of minor repairs.

5. Interview Real Estate Agents – Hiring a real estate agent is critical to your success. Take the time tointerview a number of agents and choose the right one for your needs.

6. Check out the Competition – Go see homes listed for sale in your area and adjust your timing, staging, and pricing based on the market.

7. Prepare Mentally – Selling a home can be stressful. Be prepared for low offers, picky buyers, drop-by agents, and odd terms. Prepare yourself now so you will take them in stride when you’re on the market.