Realty Biz

DECEMBER 10, 2020

It is effortless to start looking at homes that you will later find you can’t afford when you try to get approved for a mortgage. When you actually try to get approval for a loan, you might find you don’t get the amount you anticipate if you have only been prequalified. Comparing a Mortgage Preapproval to Full Approval.

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Lab Coat Agents

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

How To Choose The Right Realtor There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a real estate agent. First, you want to ensure that the agent is experienced and knowledgeable about the area in which you are looking to buy or sell. Second, you want to make sure that the agent is someone you feel comfortable working with.

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Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

If the auction accepts financing, make sure you have a pre-approval ready. Youll need to coordinate with your real estate agent in order to tour these properties. Government-owned properties Some mortgages are government-backed, like VA loans and FHA loans.

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Realty Biz

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

Are you wondering what to ask a buyer's agent before hiring them? Buyer agents play a crucial role in real estate transactions. Understanding the difference between buyer and seller's agents and how buyer's agents are compensated is essential. A few types of real estate agents are vital to understand.

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HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

“The 203(k) loan is one of the best products in real estate when it’s used as an effective tool,” says Eric Forney , an Indianapolis real estate agent who sells his clients’ listings an average of 41% faster than the typical agent in his market. What’s a 203(k) loan? Who is eligible for a 203(k) loan?

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 5, 2020

According to Melanie Hunt , a top-selling real estate agent in Fort Worth, Texas , who has sold 74% more single-family homes than the average area agent, “Getting a preapproval is one of the most important things a buyer can do to improve their odds of securing a short sale.” And it’s even better if you can get pre-underwritten.

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HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

The mortgage insurance protects lenders in case the buyer defaults on the loan, allowing those lenders to serve more borrowers. Buyers with lower credit scores or lower down payments can sometimes get an FHA loan even if they can’t get approved for a conventional loan. First, find a real estate agent.

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RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

Some simple rules to remember on the different kinds of loans: – On VA loans, you can ask the seller to pay everything, meaning the buyer is making no down payment and paying no closing costs. – On FHA loans, the seller can pay almost any cost, but the buyer has to have a minimum 3% investment in the home/closing costs.

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 27, 2020

If you are employed full-time, and your salaried job is your only source of income, you can usually get away with providing your W-2s and a paycheck stub when applying for a loan — you won’t need to provide tax returns. That’s not true of every loan, though. VA (Veterans Affairs) loans typically require a credit score of 620 or higher.

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Debt-to-income ratio Pre-approval Pre-qualification Loans 105

HomeLight

JUNE 28, 2021

HUD’s Office of Housing also includes the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), an agency that insures mortgage loans issued by FHA-approved lenders to protect against losses if a borrower defaults on a loan. Get pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Find a HUD-approved agent. No problem!

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HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

For example, both conventional and FHA loans offer first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with only 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% down (FHA). Don’t forget to do your research and ask plenty of questions when talking to lenders and your real estate agent about local and state first-time buyer programs.

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Debt-to-income ratio FHA loan Pre-qualification VA loan 93

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

You must purchase in a rural area to qualify for a USDA loan. FHA loans are very popular, especially for first-time home buyers. The FHA loan offers a low down payment requirement of 3.5%. They also have relaxed credit score requirements compared to other loans.

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Lab Coat Agents

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

The seller’s lender must approve the assumption, guaranteeing the buyer is creditworthy and capable of managing the mortgage payments. This approval process helps protect the lender’s interests while offering flexibility for buyers looking to save on their home purchases. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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Purchase and sale agreement Mortgages Pre-approval VA loan 98

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

But when you place your home on the market, it’s hard to predict if your top offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan. To explore your options with potential appraisal required repairs, we gathered expert advice from appraisers, lenders and top agents.

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Marco Santarelli

MAY 30, 2024

Alternative Financing Options: Exploring programs like FHA loans or down payment assistance initiatives can help bridge the gap for aspiring homeowners facing stiff competition from cash buyers. When competing against investors, it may be necessary to consider offering above-asking price or presenting a stronger financial profile.

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Realty Biz

MARCH 13, 2024

Getting Pre-Approved For A Mortgage In a seller’s market like Maryland, getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan should be one of the first steps for hopeful buyers. Pre-approval provides a significant advantage by showing sellers you are a serious buyer with the financing ready to make a purchase.

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Lighter Side of Real Estate

OCTOBER 11, 2023

There are also some key differences between the low down payment programs Fannie Mae and FHA respectively offer: When you put down less than 20% you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) on either of these products. But with an FHA loan, you have to pay it for the entire length of the loan.

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Pre-approval FHA loan Loans Investor 121

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

If you’re shopping for a home in San Diego, a trusted buyer’s agent is a key member of your team. HomeLight analyzes millions of transactions and thousands of reviews to find you a proven, top-performing agent in just under two minutes. Find a Buyer's Agent What will it cost to buy a home in San Diego?

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HomeLight

DECEMBER 27, 2021

To help you, we have compiled a checklist of effective home preparation and staging tips based on research and expert advice from Chris Pappalardo , ranked in the top 2% of agents in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Edward Kaminsky , who works with 66% more single-family homes than the average Manhattan Beach, California, agent.

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HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

With the help of top Bay Area agent Carl Medford , who has 22 years of experience and specializes in helping first-time homebuyers, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down all the ins and outs of buying a house in the Bay Area. Loans are between 3%-3.5% Looking to Buy Your Dream Home in the Bay Area?

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HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

According to the Appraisal Institute , the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, data from the appraisal report is often used by financial institutions to confirm that the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio meets their underwriting guidelines. Many local agents will provide sellers with a CMA for free.

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Redfin

MARCH 28, 2023

To help you get started, we turned to some of Redfin’s top Chicago Agents and Partner Agents to provide tips and advice for first-time homebuyers. – Evelyn Randle | Redfin Partner Agent, Checklist Homes Realty For a first-time home buyer, purchasing your home may seem like a huge task and stressful time.

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HomeLight

AUGUST 16, 2021

A few places to find them include HUD’s list of local homebuying programs , the FHA’s list of state-by-state DPA programs … and, well, Google. Your real estate agent is another great resource for help!). This loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration is ideal for those with low savings or a just-OK credit score.

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Realty Biz

APRIL 8, 2024

This includes checking your credit score, saving for a down payment, and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact an experienced Buyer’s Agent when you first think of buying a house. Online mortgage calculators can provide a rough estimate, but getting pre-approved by a lender will give you a more accurate figure.

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HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

As Richard Stives , a real estate agent in El Paso, Texas, who specializes in first-time homebuyers and relocations, explains, “Most buyers are relying on financing in order to buy a house, their lender is going to require an appraisal to determine the value of the home in relation to what that buyer is willing to pay for it.”

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Redfin

APRIL 7, 2023

To help you get started, we turned to some of Redfin’s top Partner Agents in San Diego to help you navigate the process with confidence. Get pre-approved for a mortgage My advice to first-time homebuyers is to find a good loan officer and get pre-approved, fully underwritten approval is best.

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Pre-approval Agents Pre-qualification Debt-to-income ratio 59

HomeLight

AUGUST 20, 2021

The appraisal is a crucial step in the closing process; your home must appraise for equal to or more than the sale price for the buyer’s lender to approve their mortgage. FHA loans require a special appraisal. The FHA appraiser ensures that the property meets HUD’s minimum property requirements.

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 2, 2020

Overlays are lender-specific, so switching lenders may make sense if you’re worried about your loan not being approved. If you have another pre-approval offer that looks more appealing than your current one, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing it. You’ll likely need at least 30 days to secure your new loan.

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Closing Mortgages Loans Closing costs 97

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) Another major factor that a lender will consider when approving your mortgage loan is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Jumbo loan: Also known as non-conforming loans, jumbo loans exceed the limits set by conforming loans. What will make your offer stand out?

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Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval Debt-to-income ratio 63

Redfin

JULY 3, 2023

Get pre-approved from a lender Securing a pre-approval when buying a home in Arizona can provide numerous advantages. By obtaining pre-approval from a reputable lender, you clearly understand your financial standing and borrowing capacity. What credit score do I need to buy a house in Arizona?

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HomeLight

MAY 19, 2022

There are some misconceptions about what “as is” means, says top-rated Maryland real estate agent Juan Umanzor. “I Yes, according to Umanzor, there is an as-is addendum for agents to complete. The main options to sell a house “as is” include: List ‘as is’ with the help of a real estate agent. They want to sell as-is.”.

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HomeLight

JUNE 15, 2023

Joanne McCoy , a first-time homebuyer specialist in Lincoln, Nebraska , and Richie Helali, a HomeLight Home Loans expert, weigh in to help buyers understand the breakdown of that bottom line. Step one: Talk to a few buyer's agents! Your real estate agent can obtain HOA transfer fee information for you.

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Redfin

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

Buyers should ask their real estate agent about their local market and advice on making offers competitive. Find a Knowledgeable Real Estate Agent. There are several ways to find a knowledgeable real estate agent. A good agent isn’t trying to get you into a house as quickly as possible so they can earn a commission.

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Debt-to-income ratio Pre-approval Inspection Purchase and sale agreement 76

Redfin

APRIL 11, 2025

Real estate agents often see these houses as something that young professionals can afford within their first few years of working. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help you understand what you can afford. Government-backed loans : Low or no down payment loans that can be particularly beneficial for starter home buyers.

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Together with top Houston -based real estate agent Andy Gleason of The Franklin Team , and a real-life homeowner who saved for their home in a short period of time, we’re sharing all the tips, tricks, and strategies for saving for maximizing your savings goals. down for a FHA loan. A VA loan may allow you to put zero down.

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HomeLight

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

We’ll walk you through it, with expert intel from Dave Zajdzinski , a top-selling agent who works with 71% more single-family homes than the average Phoenix agent. If you choose to accept your payment by check, you may receive it in hand from your closing agent on closing day. How soon will I receive my home sale proceeds?

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Windemere Buying

OCTOBER 18, 2021

By working closely with your agent , you can identify these pitfalls ahead of time and adjust accordingly. Not getting pre-approved Getting pre-approved is a key component of the early stages of the buying process and will help to maximize your chances of getting your offer accepted.

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