12
Aug
By First Rate Financial Group
Home Mortgage Tips

4 Things You Absolutely Should Not Do After You Apply for a Mortgage

4 Things You Absolutely Should Not Do After You Apply for a MortgageIf you have a good credit history and are prepared to invest in a home, you may be feeling pretty confident about the mortgage process. However, it’s important to be aware that there are things that can have a negative impact on your application. Whether you’ve just submitted your documents or are getting close to it, here are some things you may want to avoid.

Acquiring New Credit

It may seem silly that something as minor as a new credit card can be a mark against your credit, but applying for new ones can be a bad sign to lenders. The problem is that this can be signal an unmanageable debt load, so you may be considered a high risk for not being able to make your payments.

Forget To Pay Your Bills

It’s easy enough to get lulled into the feeling that your mortgage application will be approved, but this doesn’t mean that you should forget your financial responsibilities. If you’ve had poor credit in the past and neglected paying your bills on time, now is not the time to do this. Instead, ensure that you’re paying all bills and any applicable minimum payments in advance of the due date so your credit score is not impacted.

Close Old Credit Cards

Many people think that closing out old credit cards can be a positive financial step forward and a good way to streamline their finances, but this can cause damage to your credit score. Because closing a credit card will change your available balance and bump up your debt load, it may mean that your debt percentage will increase. Instead of risking this, leave them active until you’ve received approval.

Quit Your Job

Few people will have the ability to quit their job when they’re applying for a mortgage, but doing this or incurring other fluctuations in your monthly income can cause problems with your application. If you are self-employed, there may be peaks and valleys in your finances, but a huge shift in what you bring home can show lenders that you’re not a solid bet.

There can be a lot of stress that comes along with the mortgage application process, but by paying your bills on time and staying on top of your payments, you can avoid negatively impacting your approval. If you’re currently on the market for a mortgage, contact one of our mortgage professionals for more information.

06
Aug
By First Rate Financial Group
Home Mortgage Tips

Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive Investment

Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive InvestmentMost people tend to think of a mortgage loan as a necessary evil, an expense that has to be managed. But under the right circumstances, your mortgage can become a smart investment – something that makes you money instead of costing you money. With a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of hard work, you can turn your mortgage into a money-making investment that will pay dividends for years to come.

So how do you turn your mortgage loan into a productive investment? Here’s what you need to know.

A Mortgage Can Help You Buy A New Rental Property

One of the simplest ways that a mortgage can become an investment that adds value to your portfolio is by using it to buy an income property. For a first-time investor, the simplest arrangement is to buy a single-family home and rent it out. And if you live in a college town, you’ll find no shortage of students looking for housing – meaning you’ll never have a hard time finding renters.

In order to make this work, you’ll need to first have enough money saved up for a down payment. You’ll also need to have your rental rates high enough to turn a profit, but not so high that you have difficulty finding renters. And finally, if it’s possible, you’ll want to consider turning the home’s basement into a secondary suite, allowing you to max out your rental income.

A Mortgage Can Give You A Home To Flip

The second major way that a mortgage can be a productive investment is by using it to flip a home. House flipping has become very popular in recent years thanks to a number of television programs like Flip This House – and although flipping a home can result in a major windfall, it’s not easy. In order to make a house flip work for you, you’ll need to carefully plan out the flip and ensure that you buy the right property at the right time.

Beginning flippers should usually start with an older bungalow. You’ll need a solid credit score to secure the mortgage, and ideally, you should make your down payment in cash. You’ll also want to ensure the home is in a good neighborhood – this will make it easier to sell the home when you’re done renovating.

A mortgage is often thought of as an expense, but if you plan on buying a rental property or flipping a home, it’s actually a very smart investment. There’s always risk involved, of course, but with the right mortgage and the right home, you’ll have no trouble turning a profit. Call your local mortgage professional for help in getting the right mortgage for your investment property.

03
Aug
By First Rate Financial Group
Home Mortgage Tips

The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can Afford

The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can AffordIf you’re looking for a new home, you’ve probably heard lots of advice about down payments. About how it’s okay to just have a five percent down payment – you’ll still get approved. About how you should make the down payment as small as possible to avoid cash flow problems.

In truth, you’re actually better off making the largest down payment you can possibly afford. Even if you have to slice up other areas of your budget, save for a few more years before you buy, or take a second job on the weekends, it’ll be worth it in the end. Here are just four reasons why you should make the largest down payment possible.

You Can Avoid Useless Insurance Premiums

Although you can buy a house with as little as a five percent down payment, it’s in your best interest to make a much larger down payment if you can. Mortgage insurance premiums can be as high as one percent of the loan’s value, which means until you’ve invested 20 percent of the home’s value in equity, you’ll have to pay an extra one percent every year. If you pay at least 20 percent of the purchase price upfront, you’ll be able to avoid having to get private mortgage insurance – so you keep more of your money in your own pocket.

You’ll Pay Much Less Interest

The less you have to borrow, the less you have to pay back – for more reasons than one.

When you take out a mortgage, the interest rate applies to the principal amount that you owe – and over time, the interest can run on top of interest, quickly outpacing the original sum. Having a larger down payment means the interest applies to a smaller sum. And that means it accumulates slower and ends up being a smaller amount over time.

You’ll Have More Ammunition In A Bidding War

Offering up a larger down payment is also a great way to make sure you get your dream house, especially if it’s a popular property with multiple offers. The seller isn’t just going to consider who offers the most money – they’re also going to consider which buyer is most likely to get a mortgage. After all, failing to get a mortgage is one of the most common reasons why real estate deals fail.

If you can show that you’re able to make a larger down payment, you’ll have a better shot at getting a mortgage – and that means sellers will prioritize you over other buyers.

You’ll Get A Great Start On Building Equity

Your home equity is equal to the difference between your home’s fair market value and the amount of debt invested into the home. If you don’t have enough equity in your home and home prices in your neighborhood fall, you may find yourself in a situation where you owe more money on your home than it’s worth – a phenomenon known as negative equity. By making the largest possible down payment you can, you’ll have a great head start on building your home’s equity – which may help you profit if you decide to sell in the future.

Buying a house isn’t easy, but making the largest down payment you can afford will give you a great financial head start on home ownership. Want to learn more about how to afford the home of your dreams? Contact your local mortgage professional today for practical advice to help you maximize your down payment.