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In a Hurry to Buy a Home? Speed Your Mortgage Approval up by Following This Checklist

In a Hurry to Buy a Home? Speed Your Mortgage Approval up by Following This ChecklistHave you finally found your dream home after months of searching, only to discover that the seller has received other offers? Few circumstances can raise your stress level as much as finding yourself in a bidding war against another buyer. However, being unprepared by not having your finances in order can make the situation even worse. Let’s take a quick look at a few ways that you can speed up your mortgage approval if you are in a hurry to buy your next home.

Pull Your Credit Report ASAP

The first step you will want to do is check your credit report so you have an idea what your mortgage lender will be seeing. You can get a free copy from the major credit reporting agencies up to once per year, so take advantage. There are scams out there, so be sure to only request a report from a government-approved credit agency.

Get All Of Your Paperwork Ready Before You Go In

You will want to gather up as much financial documentation as you can before heading in to meet with your mortgage advisor. Pay stubs, tax forms, and bank statements are all going to be required to prove that you are accurately reporting your current financial situation. You will also want to be able to provide reasons for any substantial loans or other transactions that have taken place in the past couple of years.

Share It All And Keep No Secrets

If you want your mortgage approval to come back quickly, it’s best to be truthful and hold nothing back during the application process. If you lie or try to gloss over areas that you feel are a bit negative, it can end up delaying your approval. Be straight with your advisor and don’t keep any secrets from them.

Work With A Professional Team

Last but not least, if you want the fastest possible mortgage approval you will want to work with a professional team. An experienced mortgage advisor knows the ins-and-outs of the mortgage marketplace. They know which lenders will be able to process quickly and which tend to be on the slower side. If you try to borrow a mortgage from a bank or large lender, you are tied into their process which may not be as quick as you would like.

When you’re ready to buy a home, give us a call. Our mortgage team is happy to help you secure your financing, no matter how much of a hurry you might be in. We look forward to assisting you!

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Drops in January

Homebuilder confidence in housing market conditions dipped two points in January; ongoing challenges including labor shortages and materials costs were cited by the National Association of Home Builders, which provides monthly readings on home builder sentiment. Three component readings of the Housing Market Index declined by one point each. Readings for current sales conditions, housing market conditions for the next six months and for buyer traffic within new single-family housing developments were 79, 78 and 54 respectively.

Readings over 50 indicate positive builder sentiment. The reading for buyer traffic seldom exceeds 50. Current readings support continued builder confidence in current and future housing market conditions. NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said housing demand should continue to grow in 2018 based on the gauge of future market conditions remaining in the 70s range. Real estate pros have repeatedly cited slim inventories of homes for sale as driving rapidly rising home prices.

NAHB estimated 1.125 million housing starts for 2018, which was 2.70 percent higher than for2017. The Commerce Department released its annual rate of housing starts in December at 1.192 million starts; Building permits were issued at the annual rate of 1.302 million permits issued in December, based on November’s annualized reading of 1.303 million permits issued.

Regional Builder Confidence Readings Rise

Regional readings for builder confidence were higher in all four regions tracked by NAHB. Calculated on a three-month rolling average, the Northeast gained five points for an index reading of 59; The Midwest posted a one-point gain for a January reading of 70. The South posted a one-point gain for an index reading of 73 and the West reported a two-point gain for a reading of 81.

Analysts said throughout 2017 that building more homes would be the only way to solve the housing shortage and resulting challenges including rapidly rising home prices that eliminate first-time and moderate-income home buyers out of affordable home prices and home financing options.  

Shopping for a Mortgage? Don’t Make These Key Mistakes That Trip Up First-time Buyers

Shopping for a Mortgage? Don't Make These Key Mistakes That Trip Up First-time BuyersAre you ready to dive into the real estate market for the first time? Buying a new house, condo or apartment is an exciting experience that sets you on the path to building your net worth. However, if you are planning to take out a mortgage, you should be aware that there are some potential pitfalls to avoid. Let’s explore a few of the key mistakes that first-time homebuyers make when they are shopping around for a mortgage.

Mistake #1: Trying To Rush The Process

The first mistake that you will want to avoid making is trying to rush the mortgage process along. Even if you have all of your paperwork ready before you enter the building, it can still take your mortgage lender some time to complete the background checks necessary to determine how much risk you represent. If you need to close on your new home quickly, it’s best to get pre-approved for your mortgage amount first.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Credit Score

Ask yourself: when is the last time you checked your credit score? Is your credit history healthy or does it need some attention? Are there any black marks or delinquencies in your past that need to be dealt with? Many first-time buyers fail to appreciate the importance of their credit score when they apply for a mortgage. Don’t make the same mistake.

Mistake #3: Being Behind On Your Taxes

Another crucial mistake that is commonly made is not being up to date with the IRS. While being behind on your taxes is never a good place to be, it can be significantly worse if you are trying to take out a mortgage. Remember that a mortgage is a large loan and one that presents a certain amount of risk to the lender. If you are not paying your bills on time, they may decide that you aren’t worth the trouble.

Mistake #4: Not Working With A Mortgage Professional

The last mistake we will warn you to avoid is trying to move forward with a mortgage without consulting a professional first. An experienced mortgage advisor knows far more about the current market than the average person does. The last thing that you need when you are trying to buy a home is bad advice. It is a good idea to work with a mortgage professional who has your best interests in mind.

When you are ready to buy your next home, contact us. We would be happy to share our insight and help you choose the mortgage product that best suits your needs.