10
Mar
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Why Should You Consider Getting An Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

Why Should You Consider Getting An Adjustable Rate Mortgage?If you are planning on buying a house in the near future, you have probably seen that there are multiple options available. You might even be considering an adjustable-rate mortgage, usually shortened to ARM. While many people opt for a fixed-rate mortgage, there are a few reasons to consider an ARM as well. What are some of the top advantages to keep in mind?

A Lower Initial Payment

One of the biggest reasons why many home buyers consider an adjustable-rate mortgage is that you get a lower initial payment. Often, the ARM’s interest rate is lower than the fixed-rate interest rate at the time of signing. This means that you might have more flexibility at the beginning of the amortization schedule, freeing up more cash. You can use that cash to handle renovations and repairs if your house requires them.

You Can Pay Down Your Principle Faster

Because the interest rate is lower at the beginning of the payment cycle, you might be able to use that extra cash to pay down the principle faster. This could allow you to pay off the house earlier, or it might mean that you end up paying less interest over the life of the loan because you can shrink the principle faster.

You Can Always Refinance Later

While many home buyers are concerned that an adjustable-rate mortgage might increase after the fixed period ends, you do not necessarily have to stick with the ARM forever. For example, you might decide that you want to refinance the house down the road to a lower interest rate, creating opportunities to save money. You might even end up selling the house and moving before the fixed period ends, giving you an opportunity to reset your loan.

Consider Getting an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

These are a few of the top reasons why you might want to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage. Like anything else, ARMs have their benefits and drawbacks, and the right option for one person might not be the right option for you. You should think carefully about your specific situation, consider all of the options available, and select the best choice for your needs. Do not hesitate to reach out to an expert who can help you.

08
Mar
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Manage These 3 Items Before Applying For A Mortgage

Manage These 3 Items Before Applying For A MortgageMortgage lenders weigh the risk of getting their principal and interest paid back by looking at the qualities of the prospective borrrower. And due to the amount of money being requested and lent to purchase homes, those requirements can become daunting.  Working with a trusted and qualified mortgage professional makes this sometimes confusing process a little clearer.

To this end, there are three things that a potential homebuyer can do to prepare for the mortgage approval process.

Manage Debt And Credit Levels

For many homebuyers, managing their credit score is the biggest challenge. Mortgage lenders like buyers with strong credit. While getting strong credit usually isn’t something that can be done overnight, paying bills on time, all of the time can help to build a positive profile.

Using as little credit as possible is also helpful, since high utilization of existing credit lines can harm a borrower’s score. Having less debt can also reduce monthly payments, making it easier to qualify for a larger mortgage.

Manage Income And Qualifying Ratios

Lenders look for two things when it comes to a borrower’s income:

  1. Stable incomes are preferred, so being able to prove the income with a W-2 form or other documentation is usually required. Self-employed people will typically need to prove their income with their tax returns, so taking high write-offs can make it harder to qualify.
  2. A borrower’s income should be significantly higher than his total monthly debt payments. Lenders divide a borrower’s monthly payments — including their proposed mortgage — into the gross monthly income. If the payments exceed a set percentage, the lender will shrink the mortgage until it considers the payment affordable.

Collect Required Paperwork Early

To qualify for a mortgage, borrowers typically need to submit a comprehensive file of supporting documentation. This can include tax returns, pay stubs and bank and investment account statements.

Since lenders frequently want some historical data, it can be a good idea for people considering applying for a mortgage to start collecting documentation before they actually begin the mortgage application process. Once again, working with a qualified finance professional will make this process a lot more comfortable.

07
Mar
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Short-Term Vacation Rentals: What To Know

Short-Term Vacation Rentals: What To KnowIf you are interested in purchasing a rental property, you might want a short-term rental that you can use as a vacation home. This can be a great way to generate some additional income, and you might be able to make thousands of dollars every week if you purchase a property in the right location. On the other hand, there are several important factors you need to consider before you purchase a rental property. 

The Marketing Process

You are only going to make money on your rental property if you can convince people to stay there. Why would someone decide to stay at your rental property instead of a traditional hotel? You must be willing to put in the time and effort to develop a enticing marketing strategy that includes some beautiful photos and videos that will highlight the benefits of your rental property.

The Pricing

Of course, you want to make as much money as possible if you have a rental property, but keep in mind that you don’t want to price the property so high that you end up scaring people away. You might even want to change the price of your rental property depending on the length of their stay, time of year, or special events that might be happening in the local area. You will also want to take a closer look at the competition to see how much they are charging.

Protect Yourself And Your Property

You need to take steps to protect yourself and your property. It can be difficult to predict how your guests are going to treat your space, and you don’t want to rent to guess who could damage your property. Keep in mind that you could also be held responsible if someone is injured while renting your house. That is why you should consider purchasing additional liability protection.

Find The Right Rental Property

There are many advantages you may enjoy if you decide to purchase a short-term vacation home, but you need to make sure you are willing to put in the time and effort to make it profitable. You will want to work with a professional who can help you find the best option in the area.