Posts Tagged ‘Lenders’
Purchasing Real Estate on a Short Sale
Jodi Funke asked:
A short sale occurs when a lender agrees to allow a homeowner to sell their home for less than the amount owed on a mortgage. Why would he do this?
How the Lender comes out a Winner
While it may seem surprising that lenders would accept less than they are owed, they do benefit from the process. The lender is going to take a loss either way. He might go through the long, costly process of foreclosure and then another long process of evicting the homeowner, fixing up the property, listing it for sale and ultimately selling it for less than he has invested. His other option is to accept a short sale now, avoid the foreclosure process and avoid being stuck with a difficult to sell property.
How the Homeowner Benefits
A foreclosure is very damaging to one’s credit report; with a short sale, the homeowner is doing their part to meet their obligation to the lender while minimizing the damage to their credit history.
Great for the Buyer
Though the process of a short sale can be frustrating, the buyer benefits by purchasing real estate at a reduced price; often for pennies on the dollar. Buyers who are looking to negotiate a short sale should work with real estate professionals who are experienced at handling these transactions.
Sometimes the buyer is one who will be fixing up the home for their primary residence. Often, the buyer is an investor who is looking to “flip” the property for a profit. Lenders who accept a short sale frown on investors who profit from the very property that they took a loss on! This is the reason for seasoning requirements; owning the property for a certain length of time before reselling.
Jodi Funke is the founder of http://www.cashforshortsales.com a company who specializes in short sale transactions. Jodi is a transactional lender who provides funding for the investor to purchase a property on a short sale and sell the property for a profit the same day. Their team of real estate professionals, attorneys and title companies are experienced at handling these transactions while working at the highest level of integrity.
La Mirada Real Estate
A short sale occurs when a lender agrees to allow a homeowner to sell their home for less than the amount owed on a mortgage. Why would he do this?
How the Lender comes out a Winner
While it may seem surprising that lenders would accept less than they are owed, they do benefit from the process. The lender is going to take a loss either way. He might go through the long, costly process of foreclosure and then another long process of evicting the homeowner, fixing up the property, listing it for sale and ultimately selling it for less than he has invested. His other option is to accept a short sale now, avoid the foreclosure process and avoid being stuck with a difficult to sell property.
How the Homeowner Benefits
A foreclosure is very damaging to one’s credit report; with a short sale, the homeowner is doing their part to meet their obligation to the lender while minimizing the damage to their credit history.
Great for the Buyer
Though the process of a short sale can be frustrating, the buyer benefits by purchasing real estate at a reduced price; often for pennies on the dollar. Buyers who are looking to negotiate a short sale should work with real estate professionals who are experienced at handling these transactions.
Sometimes the buyer is one who will be fixing up the home for their primary residence. Often, the buyer is an investor who is looking to “flip” the property for a profit. Lenders who accept a short sale frown on investors who profit from the very property that they took a loss on! This is the reason for seasoning requirements; owning the property for a certain length of time before reselling.
Jodi Funke is the founder of http://www.cashforshortsales.com a company who specializes in short sale transactions. Jodi is a transactional lender who provides funding for the investor to purchase a property on a short sale and sell the property for a profit the same day. Their team of real estate professionals, attorneys and title companies are experienced at handling these transactions while working at the highest level of integrity.
La Mirada Real Estate
Pre-qualifying: Understanding the Process and the Benefits Related to Purchasing Real Estate
Katrina asked:
Any person interested in purchasing real estate properties need to be pre-qualified for a loan. Doing this puts a buyer in good position especially in deciding what to buy and how much to buy. However, do you know what getting pre-qualified means? Do you already know the benefits of getting pre-qualified?
Pre-qualifying: the meaning
Pre-qualifying is the process whereby a lender makes an initial analysis of whether or not the borrower is qualified for a loan. In this stage of mortgage application, lenders draw a rough estimate of the amount that could be possibly granted to the borrower. These are then based on few information that will be provided by the borrower. After such, they will send a notice through a letter, in order to affirm the borrower that they are qualified to loan a specific amount.
Certain calculations may be done to draw the estimates. They do this by identifying qualifying ratios. These ratios will give the lender a rough picture of the relationship of the borrower’s income to his or her debt. This, along with the compensating factors, will also help the lender in identifying the financing options to suggest.
As mentioned above, borrowers will be asked to furnish data for their analysis. This is the basis for calculating qualifying ratios. The data is also used to identify compensating factors that could counterbalance any deficiencies of the borrower. Below are the data that might be required for pre-qualifying:
Monthly expenses including your annual tax Income from all sources Basic information like name, address, occupation Assets owned and current debts Credit report History of previous residences and employment
Getting into the process
Know that getting yourself pre-qualified will not cost you a dime. You can just go to a trusted lender and give them the data requested. Some will also consider over the phone pre-qualifications (if the lending institution permits it). Another option is to go online. Some websites provide prequalification calculators that will generate an analysis that could be similar to that of the lender. However, these services are not accurate. Hence, it is still best to consult experts in person.
Benefits of getting pre-qualified
Although this process does not guarantee you in getting the actual loan, being pre-qualified can give you an idea on what homes you can purchase. Aside from that, it can also give you a picture on what your monthly expenditure will be if you avail of the loan. This will get give you time to think of ways on how to manage your finances efficiently.
Other points to consider
If you want to prove that you are a serious buyer, getting pre-approval is sometimes better. In pre-approval, you get a more accurate estimation of the loan; thus, there will be no doubts in picking out the house that you want. In addition, doing this would also expedite your loan processing thereafter.
Pre-qualification is just the first step in getting a mortgage. Therefore, it should not be misconstrued as the actual loan itself. Remember, the values are estimates only. It can even change when the lender goes through an extensive credit check (like in pre-approvals). In case, you have provided a falsified or an altered information, the amount of loan could change; or worse your application can be denied.
La Mirada Real Estate
Any person interested in purchasing real estate properties need to be pre-qualified for a loan. Doing this puts a buyer in good position especially in deciding what to buy and how much to buy. However, do you know what getting pre-qualified means? Do you already know the benefits of getting pre-qualified?
Pre-qualifying: the meaning
Pre-qualifying is the process whereby a lender makes an initial analysis of whether or not the borrower is qualified for a loan. In this stage of mortgage application, lenders draw a rough estimate of the amount that could be possibly granted to the borrower. These are then based on few information that will be provided by the borrower. After such, they will send a notice through a letter, in order to affirm the borrower that they are qualified to loan a specific amount.
Certain calculations may be done to draw the estimates. They do this by identifying qualifying ratios. These ratios will give the lender a rough picture of the relationship of the borrower’s income to his or her debt. This, along with the compensating factors, will also help the lender in identifying the financing options to suggest.
As mentioned above, borrowers will be asked to furnish data for their analysis. This is the basis for calculating qualifying ratios. The data is also used to identify compensating factors that could counterbalance any deficiencies of the borrower. Below are the data that might be required for pre-qualifying:
Monthly expenses including your annual tax Income from all sources Basic information like name, address, occupation Assets owned and current debts Credit report History of previous residences and employment
Getting into the process
Know that getting yourself pre-qualified will not cost you a dime. You can just go to a trusted lender and give them the data requested. Some will also consider over the phone pre-qualifications (if the lending institution permits it). Another option is to go online. Some websites provide prequalification calculators that will generate an analysis that could be similar to that of the lender. However, these services are not accurate. Hence, it is still best to consult experts in person.
Benefits of getting pre-qualified
Although this process does not guarantee you in getting the actual loan, being pre-qualified can give you an idea on what homes you can purchase. Aside from that, it can also give you a picture on what your monthly expenditure will be if you avail of the loan. This will get give you time to think of ways on how to manage your finances efficiently.
Other points to consider
If you want to prove that you are a serious buyer, getting pre-approval is sometimes better. In pre-approval, you get a more accurate estimation of the loan; thus, there will be no doubts in picking out the house that you want. In addition, doing this would also expedite your loan processing thereafter.
Pre-qualification is just the first step in getting a mortgage. Therefore, it should not be misconstrued as the actual loan itself. Remember, the values are estimates only. It can even change when the lender goes through an extensive credit check (like in pre-approvals). In case, you have provided a falsified or an altered information, the amount of loan could change; or worse your application can be denied.
La Mirada Real Estate
Finding Your Real Estate Agent
Mark G. Estates asked:
Whenever you buy or sell real estate, you may be like millions of other people out there, in thinking that you don’t need a real estate agent. Most people who buy or sell homes, generally think that a real estate agent is a waste of money. Those who choose to buy a new home, think that real estate agents only add to the cost of purchasing the home.
What most people aren’t aware of, is the fact that real estate agents are normally paid by the seller, not by the buyer. As a buyer, you’ll get to work with a professional real estate agent without really having to pay for it yourself. The policies can vary greatly from state to state and company to company, which is why you should always check any paperwork or contracts that are provided to you to ensure this is the case. When you are interviewing agents, make certain to ask about any type of fees as well.
A lot of real estate agents out there may work with both buyers and sellers, although most specialize in working with either the buyer or the seller. If you are buying a home, make sure that the agent you choose has prior experience of working with buyers and transactions that involve no money down. This way, you can count on your agent to be there when you need him the most – especially if you don’t have a down payment.
If you are interviewing a real estate agent and he or she isn’t familiar with down payment assistance programs, you shouldn’t hire their services. Agents who aren’t familiar with these types of programs generally aren’t on the level, or they may lack the experience necessary to help you purchase the home of your dreams.
You can also make a list of real estate agents that you can interview based on referrals from friends, lenders, and even family. Lender referrals are normally a great choice as most lenders have worked with their recommendations in the past and both are already familiar with each other. Choosing a lenders referral can also prevent you from encountering any obstacles or surprises.
When you interview a real estate agent, make sure that you have the agent explain his fees. This way, you’ll know exactly how much he will be getting from the purchase. You should also find out how much experience he has in the field, and how long he has been working with real estate. You can also ask about sample contracts as well. If you are buying a home, you should make sure that the agent works with buyers. If you happen to be selling your home, then you’ll want to make sure that the agent works with sellers. Agents that are dedicated to one or the other are the best to choose, as they will have more experience than agents who work with both buyers and sellers.
Find a real estate agent is an easy task – providing you know what to look for. If you take things one step at a time and carefully make a decision, chances are that you’ll end up with an agent who has the experience you want. You should always be careful when you choose, and never rush the process. Real estate agents are easy to find, although finding one who fits your needs and has your budget in mind is a little tougher to locate. When you make that final decision, you should always choose an agent who has your best interest in mind – and isn’t just after the money.
La Mirada Real Estate
Whenever you buy or sell real estate, you may be like millions of other people out there, in thinking that you don’t need a real estate agent. Most people who buy or sell homes, generally think that a real estate agent is a waste of money. Those who choose to buy a new home, think that real estate agents only add to the cost of purchasing the home.
What most people aren’t aware of, is the fact that real estate agents are normally paid by the seller, not by the buyer. As a buyer, you’ll get to work with a professional real estate agent without really having to pay for it yourself. The policies can vary greatly from state to state and company to company, which is why you should always check any paperwork or contracts that are provided to you to ensure this is the case. When you are interviewing agents, make certain to ask about any type of fees as well.
A lot of real estate agents out there may work with both buyers and sellers, although most specialize in working with either the buyer or the seller. If you are buying a home, make sure that the agent you choose has prior experience of working with buyers and transactions that involve no money down. This way, you can count on your agent to be there when you need him the most – especially if you don’t have a down payment.
If you are interviewing a real estate agent and he or she isn’t familiar with down payment assistance programs, you shouldn’t hire their services. Agents who aren’t familiar with these types of programs generally aren’t on the level, or they may lack the experience necessary to help you purchase the home of your dreams.
You can also make a list of real estate agents that you can interview based on referrals from friends, lenders, and even family. Lender referrals are normally a great choice as most lenders have worked with their recommendations in the past and both are already familiar with each other. Choosing a lenders referral can also prevent you from encountering any obstacles or surprises.
When you interview a real estate agent, make sure that you have the agent explain his fees. This way, you’ll know exactly how much he will be getting from the purchase. You should also find out how much experience he has in the field, and how long he has been working with real estate. You can also ask about sample contracts as well. If you are buying a home, you should make sure that the agent works with buyers. If you happen to be selling your home, then you’ll want to make sure that the agent works with sellers. Agents that are dedicated to one or the other are the best to choose, as they will have more experience than agents who work with both buyers and sellers.
Find a real estate agent is an easy task – providing you know what to look for. If you take things one step at a time and carefully make a decision, chances are that you’ll end up with an agent who has the experience you want. You should always be careful when you choose, and never rush the process. Real estate agents are easy to find, although finding one who fits your needs and has your budget in mind is a little tougher to locate. When you make that final decision, you should always choose an agent who has your best interest in mind – and isn’t just after the money.
La Mirada Real Estate
The Benefits of a Good Faith Estimate and Pre-approval When Buying Real Estate
Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:
Most real estate purchases are bought with loans so getting a good faith estimate and pre-approval letter from your lender helps the process start off on the right foot. The good faith estimate, or GFE for short, is required by law to be provided by lenders when you are seeking a loan. It lists out the estimated closing costs, monthly payments, and interest rates for the loan program you are looking at getting. The pre-approval letter is provided by lenders once they have run your credit and get your income / debt information. By getting the GFE and pre-approval letter, you can be confident that the loan will get processed with no surprises. There are also additional benefits to getting pre-approval and GFE before you even begin the property search. For one, by discussing your debt to income ratio with your lender and obtaining the GFE, you can determine your maximum price. It helps to know the maximum sales price when shopping around so that you do not waste time and energy looking a over-priced properties, and also vice verse, you do not waste time and energy looking at under-priced properties. You can find an area in your price range that fits your needs and narrow down your search. You also will determine your monthly payments with the GFE. The monthly payments should include the property taxes, insurance, principle, and interest plus any private mortgage insurance (PMI). If the monthly payments are higher than you wanted, then you can adjust your sales price to be lower. Another reason to get your pre-approval and GFE before starting your home search is that you may find out some issues with your credit or financial situation that you could clean up before moving forward with a purchase. For example, the first time I bought a house, I found out that I had a $50 charge on my credit report from 3 years ago, which brought my credit score down. And with a lower credit score, I would have gotten a worse interest rate on the loan. I say ‘would have’ because I was able to pay off this collection and clear up the ding on my credit before going into the loan underwriting process. Finally, by getting a pre-approval letter, you have proof for a seller that a lender has confidence in being able to fund the purchase on your behalf. This helps with presenting offers and negotiating. Many sellers will not even accept an offer unless it is accompanied by a lender’s letter. Furthermore, if you do not have a letter, the seller may counter higher given that he feels he is taking on more risk that you may not be qualified for the loan amount. Also, if you happen to get into a multiple offer situation, your offer will be much stronger with a pre-approval letter.
[La Mirada Real Estate]
Most real estate purchases are bought with loans so getting a good faith estimate and pre-approval letter from your lender helps the process start off on the right foot. The good faith estimate, or GFE for short, is required by law to be provided by lenders when you are seeking a loan. It lists out the estimated closing costs, monthly payments, and interest rates for the loan program you are looking at getting. The pre-approval letter is provided by lenders once they have run your credit and get your income / debt information. By getting the GFE and pre-approval letter, you can be confident that the loan will get processed with no surprises. There are also additional benefits to getting pre-approval and GFE before you even begin the property search. For one, by discussing your debt to income ratio with your lender and obtaining the GFE, you can determine your maximum price. It helps to know the maximum sales price when shopping around so that you do not waste time and energy looking a over-priced properties, and also vice verse, you do not waste time and energy looking at under-priced properties. You can find an area in your price range that fits your needs and narrow down your search. You also will determine your monthly payments with the GFE. The monthly payments should include the property taxes, insurance, principle, and interest plus any private mortgage insurance (PMI). If the monthly payments are higher than you wanted, then you can adjust your sales price to be lower. Another reason to get your pre-approval and GFE before starting your home search is that you may find out some issues with your credit or financial situation that you could clean up before moving forward with a purchase. For example, the first time I bought a house, I found out that I had a $50 charge on my credit report from 3 years ago, which brought my credit score down. And with a lower credit score, I would have gotten a worse interest rate on the loan. I say ‘would have’ because I was able to pay off this collection and clear up the ding on my credit before going into the loan underwriting process. Finally, by getting a pre-approval letter, you have proof for a seller that a lender has confidence in being able to fund the purchase on your behalf. This helps with presenting offers and negotiating. Many sellers will not even accept an offer unless it is accompanied by a lender’s letter. Furthermore, if you do not have a letter, the seller may counter higher given that he feels he is taking on more risk that you may not be qualified for the loan amount. Also, if you happen to get into a multiple offer situation, your offer will be much stronger with a pre-approval letter.
[La Mirada Real Estate]
Prime Time to Purchase Real Estate in Phoenix Arizona
Maureen Karpinski asked:
Prime Time to Purchase Real Estate in Phoenix Arizona
Although foreclosure isn’t desired by anyone, the state of the economy has recently made it much easier for people all over the country to purchase real estate at enormously discounted prices, including Phoenix Arizona. There are many bargains now available, so contact your Phoenix realtor now to learn what is available if you are looking to purchase a home.
Prices for Phoenix real estate are lower than many have seen in over a decade. This makes it the perfect time for home buyers to get a house at deep discounts. Foreclosures have made the properties available plentiful, and they are priced to sell.
Homes that are almost new as well as older homes in historic neighborhoods can be bought at a deal. While it is the perfect opportunity to purchase a home in the Phoenix Arizona area, there are still a few pitfalls. These include repair costs on older homes and bidding wars.. However, if you plan on purchasing a home to stay in, the time has never been better.
If you are an investor or first time buyer, now is the perfect time to contact a Phoenix real estate agent to learn what is available to you. Most of the deals that are available are properties that are on the brink of going in to foreclosure or have been taken back by lenders.
There are some details you will want to consider when purchasing real estate. If your intention is to purchase for resale, check to see if there are other foreclosures that may threaten your desired resale price, or if there are numerous empty homes that may become foreclosures. Your Phoenix realtor can help you determine what properties are the most desirous if your intent is to resell.
For those whose interest lies in fixing up older or damaged homes, there is a huge market available. In fact, homes that are priced under $100,000 and have the most physical damage are where you will find the real deals. Homes that have extensive damage offer better discounts to buyers.
The economy isn’t good for anyone, but it can be the perfect time to buy if you are in the market for a family home or invest in real estate for resale purposes. The time has never been better to get the most for your money where real estate is concerned. If you are interested in learning more about the housing market, contact your Phoenix realtor.
La Mirada Real Estate
Prime Time to Purchase Real Estate in Phoenix Arizona
Although foreclosure isn’t desired by anyone, the state of the economy has recently made it much easier for people all over the country to purchase real estate at enormously discounted prices, including Phoenix Arizona. There are many bargains now available, so contact your Phoenix realtor now to learn what is available if you are looking to purchase a home.
Prices for Phoenix real estate are lower than many have seen in over a decade. This makes it the perfect time for home buyers to get a house at deep discounts. Foreclosures have made the properties available plentiful, and they are priced to sell.
Homes that are almost new as well as older homes in historic neighborhoods can be bought at a deal. While it is the perfect opportunity to purchase a home in the Phoenix Arizona area, there are still a few pitfalls. These include repair costs on older homes and bidding wars.. However, if you plan on purchasing a home to stay in, the time has never been better.
If you are an investor or first time buyer, now is the perfect time to contact a Phoenix real estate agent to learn what is available to you. Most of the deals that are available are properties that are on the brink of going in to foreclosure or have been taken back by lenders.
There are some details you will want to consider when purchasing real estate. If your intention is to purchase for resale, check to see if there are other foreclosures that may threaten your desired resale price, or if there are numerous empty homes that may become foreclosures. Your Phoenix realtor can help you determine what properties are the most desirous if your intent is to resell.
For those whose interest lies in fixing up older or damaged homes, there is a huge market available. In fact, homes that are priced under $100,000 and have the most physical damage are where you will find the real deals. Homes that have extensive damage offer better discounts to buyers.
The economy isn’t good for anyone, but it can be the perfect time to buy if you are in the market for a family home or invest in real estate for resale purposes. The time has never been better to get the most for your money where real estate is concerned. If you are interested in learning more about the housing market, contact your Phoenix realtor.
La Mirada Real Estate