Buying A First Home
People who are looking to buy a home for the first time need to consider a number of factors. Most private mortgage lenders require a down payment of 10% to 20% of the purchase price of the home. Depending on the price of the home you are considering, this could be between $5000 and $20,000 dollars. There may be some first time buyer programs that will lower the down payment.
If you have never owned a home before, you may be eligible for first time buyer programs with government insured loans. These programs often have less stringent requirements for credit ratings and down payments than private lenders. If you are comfortable with your current rent payment, shop for a mortgage payment that will be about the same as your rent. A mortgage payment will help you build equity, a rent payment will not.
Calculate how much you can comfortably afford to spend on your mortgage each month. Deduct your down payment from the amount of the purchase price of the home and determine whether the payments on the home you are considering will be manageable. You need to set a strict limit and stick to it, no matter how tempting it may be to spend more. Tell your realtor your top price and advise him you don't want to look at homes that cost more. Realtors make money on commissions and the more expensive the house they sell, the high their commission. Don't let your realtor talk you into a house you can't afford.
Never jump into a contract without knowing all the facts. You will need a title search and a home inspection on any home you consider buying. Generally the buyer must pay the fees for these services. Check around for the lowest mortgage interest rates you can qualify for to save thousands over the life of the loan.
Take a look at the required deposit and the disadvantages of having insufficient funds for the deposit. If you do not have the amount, the lender will slap on the insurance fee on the mortgage, increasing the mortgage amount by as much as $20,000. A no deposit mortgage may be tempting for professionals who can service the mortgage but cannot save for a deposit. Take note that these no-deposit loans have more requirements and there are still the standard fees to pay.
Closing costs include the points that buyers and sellers pay on the mortgage, the cost of title searches and home inspections and any unpaid property taxes. If the home requires repairs, the lender may also require that either the buyer or seller put money in an escrow account to cover the costs. Putting an offer in on a home doesn't insure the sale will go through. Your lender may find a problem with the home and refuse the loan. You can try again with another lender if the problem isn't too serious.
So how do you compare lenders? Check out the APR or Annual Percentage Rate which will reflect the total cost of the loan and calculate the Annual Percentage Yield which will show how the compounding interest makes the loan worth the trouble. Ask the lender to disclose both APR and APY. They are bound by law to give this information.
With the mortgage information you need tucked under your belt, you can negotiate for a reasonable and affordable loan and keep your house for years. A dream house may not be for you, but you can make that house your dream house, one that is for keeps.
If you have never owned a home before, you may be eligible for first time buyer programs with government insured loans. These programs often have less stringent requirements for credit ratings and down payments than private lenders. If you are comfortable with your current rent payment, shop for a mortgage payment that will be about the same as your rent. A mortgage payment will help you build equity, a rent payment will not.
Calculate how much you can comfortably afford to spend on your mortgage each month. Deduct your down payment from the amount of the purchase price of the home and determine whether the payments on the home you are considering will be manageable. You need to set a strict limit and stick to it, no matter how tempting it may be to spend more. Tell your realtor your top price and advise him you don't want to look at homes that cost more. Realtors make money on commissions and the more expensive the house they sell, the high their commission. Don't let your realtor talk you into a house you can't afford.
Never jump into a contract without knowing all the facts. You will need a title search and a home inspection on any home you consider buying. Generally the buyer must pay the fees for these services. Check around for the lowest mortgage interest rates you can qualify for to save thousands over the life of the loan.
Take a look at the required deposit and the disadvantages of having insufficient funds for the deposit. If you do not have the amount, the lender will slap on the insurance fee on the mortgage, increasing the mortgage amount by as much as $20,000. A no deposit mortgage may be tempting for professionals who can service the mortgage but cannot save for a deposit. Take note that these no-deposit loans have more requirements and there are still the standard fees to pay.
Closing costs include the points that buyers and sellers pay on the mortgage, the cost of title searches and home inspections and any unpaid property taxes. If the home requires repairs, the lender may also require that either the buyer or seller put money in an escrow account to cover the costs. Putting an offer in on a home doesn't insure the sale will go through. Your lender may find a problem with the home and refuse the loan. You can try again with another lender if the problem isn't too serious.
So how do you compare lenders? Check out the APR or Annual Percentage Rate which will reflect the total cost of the loan and calculate the Annual Percentage Yield which will show how the compounding interest makes the loan worth the trouble. Ask the lender to disclose both APR and APY. They are bound by law to give this information.
With the mortgage information you need tucked under your belt, you can negotiate for a reasonable and affordable loan and keep your house for years. A dream house may not be for you, but you can make that house your dream house, one that is for keeps.
About the Author:
If you are looking for more advice about home mortgage Lansing, you should check out this site which has great info about Lansing mortgage company.