Obtain Financial
Pre-Qualification and
Pre-Approval
Select Properties
View Properties
Write an offer to purchase-Earnest $ Deposit
Negotiate & CounterOffer
Accept the Contract-inspection-remove contingencies
Complete the Mortgage application-credit report-appraisal-verifications
Rejection-Secure underwriting-Conditions
Obtain Loan Approval
Survey if applicable
Contact Title Company-title exam & title insurance
Close on the property
Take Possession of your new property!
*Money Up Front
Earnest $
Option $
Inspection Fee
Appraisal
Credit report
Home Buying
Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval
Many buyers apply for a loan and obtain approval before they find the home they want to buy. Why?
Pre-qualifying will help you in the following ways:
1. Generally, interest rates are locked in for a set period of time. You will know in advance exactly what your payments will be on offers you choose to make.
2. You won’t waste time considering homes you cannot afford.
Pre-approval will help you in the following ways:
1. A seller may choose to make concessions if they know that your financing is secured. You are like a cash buyer, and this may make your offer more competitive.
2. You can select the best loan package without being under pressure.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD?
There are three key factors to consider:
1. The down payment
2. Your ability to qualify for a mortgage
3. The closing costs associated with your transaction.
DOWN PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Most loans today require a down payment of between 3.5% and 5.0% depending on the type and terms of the loan. If you are able to come up with a 20-25% down payment, you may be eligible to take advantage of special fast-track programs and possibly eliminate mortgage insurance.
CLOSING COSTS:
You will be required to pay fees for loan processing and other closing costs. These fees must be paid in full at the final settlement, unless you are able to include them in your financing. Typically, total closing costs will range between 2-5% of your mortgage loan.
QUALIFYING FOR THE MORTGAGE:
Most lenders require that your monthly payment range between 25-28% of your gross monthly income. Your mortgage payment to the lender includes the following items:
§ The principal on the loan (P)
§ The interest on the loan (I)
§ Property taxes (T),
§ The homeowner’s insurance (I).
Your total monthly PITI and all debts (from installments to revolving charge accounts) should range between 33-38% of your gross monthly income. These key factors determine your ability to secure a home loan: Credit Report, Assets, Income, and Property Value.
The Ten Commandments
When Applying for a Real Estate Loan
1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.
2. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)!
3. Thou shalt not use charge cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind.
4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing.
5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.
6. Thou shalt not buy furniture.
7. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.
8. Thou shalt not make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.
9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts.
10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.
Making An Offer
Once you have found the home you wish to purchase, you will need to determine what offer you are willing to make for the home. It is important to remember that the more competition there is for the home, the higher the offer should be – sometimes even exceeding the asking price. Remember, be realistic. Make offers you want the other party to sign!
To communicate your interest in purchasing a home, we will present the listing agent with a written offer. When the seller accepts an offer it becomes a legal contract. When you write an offer you should be prepared to pay an earnest money deposit. This is to guarantee that your intention is to purchase the property.
After we present your offer to the listing agent it will either be accepted, rejected, or the seller will make a counter-offer. This is when we will negotiate terms of the contract if necessary.
The step-by-step contract procedure for most single-family home purchases is standard. The purchase agreement used is a standard document approved by our local real estate board.
Real Estate Glossary
Acceptance: the date when both parties, seller and buyer, have agreed to and completed signing and/or initialing the contract.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage: a mortgage that permits the lender to adjust the mortgage's interest rate periodically on the basis of changes in a specified index. Interest rates may move up or down, as market conditions change.
Amortized Loan: a loan that is paid in equal installments during its term.
Appraisal: an estimate of real estate value, usually issued to standards of FHA, VA and FHMA. Recent comparable sales in the neighborhood is the most important factor in determining value
Appreciation: an increase in the value of a property due to changes in market conditions or other causes. The opposite of depreciation.
Assumable Mortgage: purchaser takes ownership to real estate encumbered by an existing mortgage and assumes responsibility as the guarantor for the unpaid balance of the mortgage.
Bill of Sale: document used to transfer title (ownership) of PERSONAL property.
Cloud on Title: any condition that affects the clear title to real property.
Consideration: anything of value to induce another to enter into a contract, i.e., money, services, a promise.
Deed: a written instrument, which when properly executed and delivered, conveys title to real property.
Discount Points: a loan fee charged by a lender of FHA, VA or conventional loans to increase the yield on the investment. One point = 1% of the loan amount.
Easement: the right to use the land of another.
Encumbrance: anything that burdens (limits) the title to property, such as a lien, easement, or restriction of any kind.
Equity: the value of real estate over and above the liens against it. It is obtained by subtracting the total liens from the value.
Escrow Payment: that portion of a mortgagor’s monthly payment held in trust by the lender to pay for taxes, hazard insurance and other items as they become due.
Fannie Mae: nickname for Federal National Mortgage Corporation (FNMA), a tax-paying corporation created by congress to support the secondary mortgages insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA, as well as conventional loans.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA): an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lenders. The FHA sets standards for construction and underwriting but does not lend money or plan or construct housing.
FHA Insured Mortgage: a mortgage under which the Federal Housing Administration insures loans made, according to its regulations.
Fixed Rate Mortgage: a loan that fixes the interest rate at a prescribed rate for the duration of the loan.
Foreclosure: procedure whereby property pledged as security for a debt is sold to pay the debt in the event of default.
Freddie Mac: nickname for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), a federally controlled and operated corporation to support the secondary mortgage market. It purchases and sells residential conventional home mortgages.
Graduated Payment Mortgage: any loan where the borrower pays a portion of the interest due each month during the first few years of the loan. The payment increases gradually during the first few years to the amount necessary to fully amortize the loan during its life.
Lease Purchase Agreement: buyer makes a deposit for future purchases of a property with the right to lease property in the interim.
Lease with Option: a contract, which gives one the right to lease property at a certain sum with the option to purchase at a future date.
Loan to Value Ratio (LTV): the ratio of the mortgage loan principal (amount borrowed) to the property’s appraised value (selling price). Example – on a $100,000 home, with a mortgage loan principal of $80,000 the loan to value ratio is 80%.
Mortgage: a legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP): the amount paid by a mortgagor for mortgage insurance. This insurance protects the investor from possible loss in the event of a borrower’s default on a loan.
Note: a written promise to pay a certain amount of money.
Origination Fee: a fee paid to a lender for services provided when granting a loan, usually a percentage of the face amount of the loan.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): see Mortgage Insurance Premium.
Second Mortgage / Second Deed of Trust / Junior Mortgage / Junior Lien: an additional loan imposed on a property with a first mortgage. Generally, a higher interest rate and shorter term than a “first” mortgage.
Settlement Statement (HUD-1): a financial statement rendered to the buyer and seller at the time of transfer of ownership, giving an account of all funds received or expended.
Severalty Ownership: ownership by one person only. Sole ownership.
Tenancy In Common: ownership by two or more persons who hold an undivided interest without right of survivorship. (In event of the death of one owner, his/her share will pass to his/her heirs.
Title Insurance: an insurance policy that protects the insured (buyer or lender) against loss arising from defects in the title.
Home
