24
Jan
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

What Is A Loan Contingency: An Overview

What Is A Loan Contingency: An OverviewIf you are in the process of looking for a new home, you need to find the right one to meet your needs. Sometimes, you want to learn more about specific properties before you decide if it is right for you. As a result, a lot of prospective buyers will include contingencies in their home offers that may allow them to back out without losing their earnest money. What are a few examples of loan contingencies, and how can you use them to protect yourself during the process? 

Examples Of Common Loan Contingencies

Even if you have agreed on a purchase price for the house, the closing date is probably not going to be for one or two months. This will provide you with time to complete your due diligence and make sure no issues come up. For example, there may be a contingency that allows the closing date to be extended if there are any issues with the financing process through the lender. 

You might also decide to include a contingency clause in case something develops with the home inspection. If something is wrong with the home inspection, you may provide yourself with an opportunity to pull out of the deal without losing your earnest money. 

How A Loan Contingency Clause Protects The Buyer

It is important for buyers to work with real estate agents who understand how loan contingencies work because this is an important protective measure. A contingency clause can protect the buyer because it provides the buyer with a way to back out of the contract without losing his or her earnest money. 

Typically, if the buyer backs out of the contract, he or she will lose his or her earnest money; however, if the buyer backs out for a reason that is protected by the contingency clause, then his or her earnest money might be protected. 

Some Buyers Waive Their Loan Contingency

If the housing market is particularly competitive, and you know you are going to purchase the house no matter what, then you might want to waive your loan contingency as a way to strengthen your offer. On the other hand, keep in mind that waving your loan contingency means sacrificing this important layer of protection. 

 

20
Jan
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

An Often-Overlooked Trick Can Help You Afford A Second House

An Often-Overlooked Trick Can Help You Afford A Second HouseThe whole idea of investing is to use a portion of your money now to get more down the road. It is important for everyone to diversify their investments, and you might be thinking about buying a second house to do so. Investing in real estate is a goal that a lot of people have, but how can you get started? It was challenging enough to buy your first house, so how can you afford a second one? 

Use A Cash-Out Refinance To Buy Your Second House

One trick that many people overlook is that they can actually conduct a cash-out refinance to purchase a second house. In general, your lender will allow you to cash out up to 80 percent of the value of your home during a cash-out refinance. This can give you a tremendous amount of flexibility that you can use to purchase a second house. For example, if your house is worth $300,000, you may be able to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars in equity.

What To Consider When Using A Cash-Out Refinance

When you apply for a cash-out refinance, there is a chance that the interest rate on your new loan might change. This might mean that you end up with a higher interest rate than before. You must make sure you can afford this new interest rate. Furthermore, you will be required to pay closing expenses. You need to have enough money set aside to cover those closing expenses. Keep in mind that the term of the loan might change as well. If you were close to paying off your house, this type of refinance might reset that clock. It might take you longer to pay off your mortgage than it did before. Consider these factors carefully before conducting a cash-out refinance.

A Cash-Out Refinance Might Be Right For You

In the end, a cash-out refinance could be a great way for you to withdraw equity from your home, using it to purchase an investment property. On the other hand, you need to ensure you can still afford the new loan after you take that equity out of your home. Work with an expert who can help you find the right option to meet your needs.

 

19
Jan
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

VA Loans: Are They Assumable?

VA Loans: Are They Assumable?Members of the military, their family members, and veterans have access to a unique mortgage option called a VA loan. This can be a strong option because it provides borrowers with an opportunity to purchase a house for less than 20 percent down. While not everyone is eligible for a VA loan, there are a lot of people who are wondering, are VA loans assumable? There are a few key points to keep in mind.

What Is An Assumable Loan?

An assumable loan means that the buyer is essentially going to take over the mortgage held by the seller. Essentially, this means that the buyer is going to take over the remaining balance of the loan as well as the interest rate attached to that loan. The buyer will have to compensate the seller for any equity the seller has already accumulated. This means either providing the seller with cash for his or her equity or taking out a second mortgage to cover the difference. The biggest advantage of assuming a loan is that you may be able to secure a lower interest rate than you would in the current market. 

Who Can Assume A VA Loan?

The great news is that a VA mortgage loan is assumable. Even though a VA loan is only available to retired service members, active service members, and members of their immediate families, anyone the lender qualifies to take over the loan can assume it. In general, this means that the buyer needs to have a credit score of at least 580 and a debt-to-income ratio of 45 percent. The buyer and seller must also have at least 12 months without any missed payments. Finally, the person assuming the loan must also occupy the property and the buyer must be willing to take over the terms of the original loan.

Should I Assume A VA Loan?

Assuming a VA loan could be right for you because you can access a lower interest rate and potentially save thousands of dollars on closing costs and expenses if you do not have to take out a second mortgage. On the other hand, this also means that you might need to put more money down to compensate the seller for his or her equity.