A Qualified Mortgage Consultant Can Help Boost Credit Scores
Consumers interested in purchasing or refinancing a home will pay an interest rate based on current market conditions and their ability to pay back the loan. The borrower’s income and debt ratios are taken into consideration by the lender, as well as the predictability factor provided by credit scoring. It’s important to have a mortgage professional in your corner that has a keen eye for solutions to improving credit scores in an effort to get the best interest rate possible.
Interest rates associated with various loan programs are broken down into schedules based on credit score ratings. While each lender has its own guidelines, it’s safe to assume that as the consumer’s credit score goes down, interest rates will go up.
A borrower with an outstanding credit rating will get what is called an A-paper loan. This type of borrower is rewarded with a lower interest rate because they have a proven track record of using credit sensibly and paying their bills on time.
Loans designed for consumers with less-than-perfect credit – sometimes referred to as “sub-prime†– can range anywhere from A-minus, B-paper, C-paper or D-paper loans.
If you have already taken out a mortgage loan with a higher interest rate because your credit score was a little under par, you will really appreciate the value in doing a little work to improve your credit score. Refinancing from a D-paper loan to a B-paper classification can save literally thousands of dollars in financing fees over time, even though the B-paper loan is still considered sub-prime.
A qualified mortgage consultant will guide you through the nuances of the process of improving your credit score to refinance and save money. First and foremost, he or she will want to review the terms of the existing mortgage loan to determine if you have a pre-payment penalty clause written into your contract. In general terms, that means that if you sell the home or try to refinance before the pre-payment penalty expires and you have not already paid off 20 percent of the original loan amount, you will most likely have to pay a 3 percent fee back to the lender to compensate for the high risk and high costs incurred to provide that financing.
Next, you should obtain free copies of your credit reports from www.annualcreditreport.com and start working on improving the credit score six months prior to the expiration date on your existing pre-payment penalty.
There are five factors that make up the credit score and your mortgage consultant can coach you through some basic strategies to improve your credit score. This means very conservative use of credit cards, paying off debt as much as possible and not applying for additional credit cards unless you will benefit from such action. You will want to verify that negative items you have paid off are being removed from your credit report, and that good credit history is being reported to all three bureaus. You’ll also want to dispute any errors that appear on your credit reports and seek to have those removed entirely.
Once your credit score improves, it’s time to refinance at a better interest rate. Your mortgage professional should look for a program that carries no more than a two-year prepayment penalty so you can continue to refinance as your credit score increases. You can repeat this process until you reach A-paper status and secure the best interest rate available.
This is a strategy that also works well for first time home buyers who do not have enough credit history under their belt to get an A-paper loan at the time of purchase. The important thing is to work with a mortgage consultant who can give you a road map to follow and a strategy for success in building personal wealth.
Zero down home loan
Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunchy, zero down home loans are no longer available. If you’re in need Denver Home Mortgage, we can discuss your mortgage situation.]
Zero down mortgage financing is available to many people. It is very possible for a large number of consumers to qualify for a home purchase without putting any money down. This has become a very competitive market for lenders competing for this business and the number of homeowners who obtain loans with no money down is growing each year.
It is important to realize that while it may be the only way a borrower can purchase a home, a zero down mortgage does carry a higher interest rate. Ultimately the borrower’s goal should be to refinance when there is enough equity to achieve an 80% Loan to Value (LTV).
One option for high credit score borrowers who have minimal disposable cash is to use a 103% loan. This loan allows you to borrow up to 3% in addition to the purchase price to help with closing costs. Ask your preferred mortgage professional if you qualify for a 103 LTV program.
Some conforming zero down programs do require you to contribute at least $500 to the purchase. Your earnest money counts as money towards purchase. You may also be required to pay your hazard insurance out of closing so that will be another out of pocket cost. Ask your mortgage broker for details on the programs they offer.
The most common way mortgage brokers structure “Zero Down” financing is to break the loan amount into a first and a second mortgage, with the first mortgage consisting of 80% of the loan amount needed and the second mortgage being 20%.
Zero down mortgages are a great tool to use, even if you have saved up for a down payment. By choosing the zero down mortgage, your down payment money can now be used for closing costs associated with the loan, moving expenses, new furniture, or any other expenses that you may have when you move into your new home.
If you cannot afford a down payment for your home, there are many down payment assistance programs and grants that may be able to help you purchase your new home. Often these programs are limited to first time home buyers or those with low income. However, there are often no limitations. Call me at and I may be able to find a program that will work for you.
Obtaining a true zero down mortgage is when you will not have to come to closing with any funds of your own. In order to achieve this you will need to either have a no closing cost mortgage which can get expensive, or you can have the sellers pay closing costs. Traditional conforming lenders will generally let the sellers pay up to 3% of your closing costs, while most Alt A and subprime lenders will allow up to 6% in closing costs paid by the seller.
Often times zero down payment programs are available to first time homebuyers. If you need a stated income program you may be able to obtain a stated zero down program with an Alt A or subprime lender.
In 2005, 43% of first time home buyers used zero down programs. You may qualify for one of these programs. Call me now!
Why use a mortgage broker
Here are some reasons why you would use a mortgage broker:
There are many reasons that you should use a mortgage broker and many advantages to using a mortgage broker. One reason to use a mortgage broker is because a mortgage broker has access to all kinds of different home loan programs.
A mortgage broker’s job is to assess your situation and then shop your loan via 100 different lenders in order to find you the most beneficial loan for your situation. We have access to over 1200 different loan programs and are able to obtain wholesale rates which can save you $100,000 plus over the life of your loan.
Here’s something to keep in mind. As a mortgage broker, I’m completely independent. I’m not employed by or work for any bank or lending institution. I work for my clients. The bank is going to look out for its best interests, isn’t it nice to have someone working for you, the borrower, and looking out for your best interests?
Many mortgage brokers have expertise in certain types of loans, such a construction-to-permanent loans, poor credit loans, or reverse mortgages. If your situation has special obstacles a mortgage broker may be the best answer.
A mortgage broker is an individual or firm that acts as an independent agent for both the borrower and the lender of a mortgage loan. Mortgage brokers are the middle man between you and the lending institution, which can be a bank, trust company, credit union, mortgage corporation, finance company or even an individual private investor. A mortgage broker will analyze your financial situation to determine which lender is the best fit for your loan needs.
Mortgage brokers have the advantage of being able to access dozens of rates quickly for similar loan programs from different lenders. Although banks have similar programs, their rates can vary widely. Mortgage brokers, through experience and through searching rates, can find which lenders are offering the lowest rates at any given moment.
Mortgage brokers have more options than banks. For example. if you have poor credit and need a sub-prime loan, your bank may have access to one option. A mortgage broker would have access to dozens. Other situations where mortgage brokers would be able to provide you with more options than a bank include manufactured homes, rural properties, commercial properties, first time home buyers, and special credit situations, such as bankruptcies and foreclosures.
Working with a mortgage broker has many benefits. Just to name a few: we discuss and explain the programs that are available to you in your particular situation. We inform you in writing that you loan interest rate is locked and wont change. We explain all the documents in plain English so you understand what you are signing. We explain all the costs involved in closing the loan. We give you a time-line of the loan process. We provide you with a good faith estimate. We also coordinate the final closing of your loan.
Mortgage brokers have access to wholesale rates, where as your local bank only has access to the rates that they offer. This can save you money on your monthly payment, especially if you have a unique situation that your bank will not be able to handle.
Mortgage brokers are also familiar with the area in which they operate. Using someone local has big advantages. With so much mortgage information online, it’s hard to know who to choose. If something goes wrong along the way with your loan, it is easier to deal with if you have a loan officer you can meet with face to face rather than a website or 800 number.
A mortgage broker is also able to move your file to another lender should a better deal appear. Or if there is a problem with your file in underwriting your mortgage broker can switch lenders within minutes and ensure you meet your close date. Local banks cannot do this.
Who is Eligible for a First Time Buyer Loan?
Who is Eligible for a First Time Buyer Loan? First time home buyer programs are designed to help borrowers who may not have enough money to pay the full cost of the down payment or the closing costs on a mortgage. These programs make obtaining a mortgage more cost effective. There are even programs specifically for residents of each state. First time home buyer programs are available to those who have not owned a home for the past three years.
A large amount of first time home buyer programs are FHA. Be prepared to spend a few hours in class so you can get a certificate stating your eligible.
Some First Time Buyers Programs require as little as 3% down.
Many other first time home buyer programs require that you either take a course or do a self study program with a workbook to learn about the responsibilities and financial obligations involved with owning a home. Even if these programs are not required by your lender or broker if is a good idea to do them anyway. Talk to your broker they can get you the information about when the classes are or provide you with a work book. Many of these courses and workbooks are provided through a PMI Company
A first time home buyer is considered somebody who has not owned a home in the last three years.
First time home buyers may also have other advantages such as discounted transfer tax. Check your local and state regulations to see what benefits you may qualify for, make sure your mortgage professional is aware that you are a first time home buyer. Some of the advantages define a first time home buyer as a borrower who has not owned a home in the past three years, others require that the borrower has never had any interest in any property.
Some local First Time Home Buyer programs offer down payment assistance. To be eligible, applicants’ household incomes must not exceed an amount set by the program administrators. These income limits are usually calculated by multiplying the Area Median Income with a percentage (e. g. 110% of the AMI). The program administrator may place a lien on the home to prevent the homeowner selling the property for profit shortly after settlement. Such liens usually dissipate after 5 to 10 years.
You may find that there are some mortgage loan programs, usually ones that the lender has a higher perception of risk, that are not available to first time home buyers.
Generally the programs will have a step by step guide to get you thru the process of home ownership.
What lenders look for
Before lenders lend money, they need to be assured that the funds will be repaid. In other words, is the prospective borrower creditworthy? To find out, they ask for various types of information.
Sub-prime lenders understand you may have come upon some hard times in the past and will look at your more recent credit history.
Lenders look at the risk that you will default on the loan, based on several factors. Those include credit score, history of paying your mortgage or rent on time, debt-to-income ratio, occupancy type (primary residence, second home or investment property), property type (single-family, 2-unit, condo), percentage of the property’s value you want to borrow (60%, 70% 80% 100%), and work history, among others.
Lenders will look at an applicants past credit history, income and the value of collateral being used to secure the mortgage. The lenders will compare this information to their guidelines to determine if the applicant is a good credit risk.
With regards to repayment capability, most banks prefer that a borrower has total debt obligations of less than 45% of gross income. Total debt include any monthly obligations the borrower has, including the proposed mortgage payment, property tax, homeowner insurance, automobile financing, credit card installments, alimony, etc. Utility and food costs are not considered debts and are not included in the Debt-to-Income ratio. Some non-prime mortgage lenders allow a Debt-to-Income ratio of up to 55%.
Lenders will look for job stability, credit worthiness, disposable income, liquid assets, debt to income ratios and loan to value ratios among many other things. Sometimes a borrower can be deficient or weak in one of the above mentioned areas but make up for it in others to still be considered for the financing desired. Lenders don’t typically want to see a lot of job changing or career changing happening. Also, obviously the better the credit the better the chance the lender will be repaid on the debt. Disposable income is how much income is left over after you have paid all of your monthly obligations. Debt to income is a ratio that is calculated based off of how much you make divided by how much your obligations are and LTV (loan to value is simply how much of a mortgage you are borrowing compared to how much your home is valued at. These are all very important items that a lender looks at as a part of your whole package.
Reserves is another factor that lenders want to see. Reserves are simply how much liquid cash you have in the bank to make payments with. If you are a first time home buyer the reserves can be anywhere from 2 -6 months worth of PITI (Principle, Interest, Taxes and Insurance). Various lenders will have different guidelines so be sure to ask your Mortgage Professional how much cash you will need to have in reserves.
Your credit worthiness will affect the interest rate and the number of programs that are available to you.
What is Alternative Documentation
Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, Alternative Documentation loans are no longer be available. If you’re in need of a refinancing your mortgage in Denver, CO contact us to discuss your mortgage options.
Alternative Documentation is expedited and simpler documentation requirements designed to speed up the loan approval process. Instead of verifying employment with the applicants employer and bank deposits with the applicants bank, the lender will accept paycheck stubs, W-2s, and the borrowers original bank statements.
Alternative Documentation (Alt Doc) loans differ from Full Documentation (Full Doc) loans in that Alt Doc loan programs do not require the usual income and assets verifications from a third party (the applicant’s employer or the depository bank where the loan applicant keeps the down payment funds). Full Doc loans often require such third party verifications and therefore the underwriting process takes longer.
It is now possible to obtain an alternative credit report accredited by the National Credit Reporting Association (NCRA).
Fannie Mae’s “My Community” program was designed for first time home buyers with limited credit depth. This program will allow up to 100% financing with little or no credit. You will still have to show at least 4 alternative tradelines but your interest rate is much better than going with a subprime lender.
The usefulness of this documentation type is obvious; it allows the borrower to speed up the process for underwriting. While you may ask your loan agent for this type of documentation, certain restrictions may apply in order to qualify.
Alternative documentation types can allow borrowers with non traditional sources of income to qualify for loans.
A good example of a borrower who would need to use alternative documentation would be a plumber who works a regular 40 hour per week job but also works after hours and weekends doing “side” jobs. Many such folks earn a significant portion of their overall income this way and would have a difficult time proving this income with traditional methods.
Another option to consider if it is difficult or impossible to verify your income, employment and assets is to No-Doc. A No-Doc loan requires No Documentation of income, employment or assets. You do need a good credit score to go No-Doc and will pay a slightly higher interest rate in some cases but if verification of income, assets and employment is a problem, consider going No-Doc.
Any alternative credit accounts you use must have a good payment history and be open for a minimum of 12 months. Canceled rent checks can also be used for an alternative credit account.
Alt A and subprime lenders also allow other documentation types such as bank statements, business bank statements, and/or verification of employment to satisfy income documentation requirements. Check with your broker to see what programs will work best for you.
Only in recent years have we as mortgage professionals been able to work with alt doc type loans. In the past you had to put down 20%, provide proof of everything and have great credit to buy a home. Now we have to ability to pick from multiple loans programs that fit just about anyone’s profile.
Subprime lending
A type of mortgage lending intended to serve borrowers who do not qualify for prime loans because of credit problems or a limited credit history.
Subprime loans that are over 80% typically don’t require Mortgage Insurance. The risk of default is already calculated in the rate.
Subprime loans are a great tool to get credit challenged borrowers into a home quickly without taking the time to clear up past credit issues. When going into a subprime loan it is often advised to opt for a 2/28 or 3/27 vs. a 30 year fixed. A 2/28 or 3/27 loan is fixed for the first 2 to 3 years then becomes an adjustable rate thereafter and offers a lower rate than the 30 year fixed. This 2 to 3 year time period gives you the time to better your situation enabling you to qualify for a conforming loan with lower rates before the rate becomes adjustable.
What’s in a name? A new term making its way in the mortgage industry in response to the term sub-prime. That new term is non-prime. Some lenders believe that calling a loan category “sub” is demeaning and turns off prospective credit challenged borrowers. The term non-prime suggests a less derogatory connotation and may be more viable as a marketing term.
If you do need to borrow over 80% over your home’s value, let us know and we will compare your total monthly payments with PMI on a prime or Alt-A program and without private mortgage insurance on a low rate subprime program for people with fair credit.
Subprime lenders are great for getting first time home buyers, with or without good credit, into a home. Subprime lenders also help borrowers with excellent credit that have other problems getting financed like, proving income, loan to value etc.
These are mortgages offered that allow for credit problems, higher loan to values, higher cash out amounts, no PMI insurance. They also have looser underwriting guidelines, ignoring charge offs, judgments and collections. Also underwriting turn around times can be much faster. Sub-prime mortgages were designed for those people who don’t fit into the small box that conventional underwriting allows for. With a Sub-prime mortgage you can secure a loan with credit scores as low as 500. Obtain no income verification loans with scores as low as 600. In many cases you can combine your first and second mortgage, secure a lower rate, avoid private mortgage insurance and save hundreds of dollars per month.
Mortgage brokers are usually the only source for subprime loans, as these loans are almost never offered by neighborhood banks. Most mortgage brokers have a network of mortgage banks that offer loan programs for all sorts of unconventional situations.
These types of loans are available to help borrowers with past credit history obtain mortgage financing. They are usually put in an ARM loan, fixed for a couple years so they can begin with a lower rate. This gives them time to work on their credit and ultimately refinance into a loan with better terms
Subprime lending refers to the extension of credit to persons who are considered to be higher-risk borrowers. In lending parlance, their credit ratings are “B” or “C” rather than “A” or “A-”. Lenders typically price subprime loans to borrowers at rates of interest and points and fees slightly higher than conventional loans.
Lenders feel that people who have not handled credit well in the past are at a greater risk of failing to repay their loans. Standard-priced loans are typically made to people with good credit history because their past record proves to lenders that they are at low risk of default.
Subprime lending offers many choices today. You can now get a home loan with credit scores in the 400’s, have late payments, bankruptcies, foreclosures, but all will reflect the interest rate that you will receive.
Subprime lenders are a huge asset to the population of people wanting to purchase homes that don’t fall under normal underwriting guidelines. Many people would not be able to purchase their dream home without Brokers providing these types of loans consequently causing less sales in the market place and a slower economy. Fill out the online form today and get started on your home search.
Loans to borrowers whose credit is less than perfect will almost always be subprime loans. There are also other circumstances that lead to subprime loans, including high outstanding debt, unproven income, etc. Even borrowers with good credit may receive subprime loans for a variety of reason, including lack of verifiable rental history or liquid cash reserve requirements.
One solution if you have a low credit score is to purchase the home with a sub-prime lender and then clean up your credit score. Once the bad credit score is improved then refinance the home with a lower rate.
Especially when borrowing more than 80% of the value of your home, the slightly higher rates which lenders charge borrowers who have less than perfect credit are more than made up for by the savings the borrower receives by not having to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance which would have been required of a borrower with perfect credit.
Do you feel you are a subprime borrower? I can understand how this can be intimidating and I want to thank you for reading the information above. If you would like to continue this conversation than please contact me so you and I can discuss your financial situation. Please read more valuable information and when you feel comfortable I would like you to contact me.
First time home buyers may opt for subprime loans when they have little savings. Typically the asset requirements for subprime loans are not as strict as prime loans.
Common subprime candidate could possibly be Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, or major Credit Card Debt. Consult a Mortgage Professional so they help you obtain a home with little money down even carrying these difficult charges against your personal history.
Subprime is not for just poor credit borrowers. Any time you go over 80% loan to value, you get non prime rates.
The key to getting a sub-prime loan is disclosure. Although you may have been turned down by a bank for a certain incident in your credit history you need to be honest with your mortgage broker and disclose all the possible occurrences in your credit history that may prevent your loan from closing. Mortgage Brokers are experts in finding the right lender to fit your needs. If anything has been omitted the lender will find it and wonder why a broker did not submit the information. Lenders do not like surprises. So, disclose everything, good or bad, from your credit history and let the Mortgage Broker find the right lender for you.
As a rule, lenders offer subprime rates to customers who have credit scores below 620. If your score is higher than that, you should be able to qualify for a better interest rate. If not, you can either accept the higher rates from lenders, or take time to improve your score by paying off some bills or resolve previous collections and charge off’s in a timely manner.
Everyone wants to qualify for loans at the lowest interest rates and with the most favorable conditions, but for those with severely blemished credit reports, the odds of doing so may not be attainable, but there may still be programs available.
Sources for Down Payment funds
Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, many down payment programs are no longer be available. If you’re in need of a Denver mortgage contact us to discuss your mortgage options.
There are many acceptable ways to obtain some additional funds for a down payment and closing costs. First time home buyers and investors are more recently applying for 100% financing. If you have funds for a down payment and/or closing costs, this can help to reduce your interest rate.
A Secured Line of Credit such as a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can be used as a source of funds.
If down payment money is hard to raise for you and your family, talk to us about 100% financing and seller’s concessions.
If you are relocating at the request of your employer, find out if your company offers programs to assist in paying for part of the down payment and closing costs. Many large corporations have such programs as employee benefits. Even if you work for a small company that does not have such programs in place, you may still be able to negotiate for some relocation assistance.
The Genesis and Enterprise are two other programs that will help with down payment assistance. Some of the down payment programs are set up where they put a lien on your property for a certain period of time such as 5 years. As long as you own the property for this amount of time the lien will be released.
Each type of mortgage and lender has different guidelines for what are allowable sources for down payments. Consult with your mortgage broker as to what is the best place to start and how to track the funds for approval.
There are also programs available through non-profit and/or your local, state or federal government called Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs.
Honesty is the best policy when getting a mortgage. Watch out for anyone who asks you to withhold information from the lender. Some home buyers might be tempted, for example, to fudge the facts about the source of their down-payment money. A lender will assume that the down payment comes from savings. If the money comes as a gift or a grant, that fact has to be disclosed — even if it means the borrower has to pay a higher interest rate or shell out for mortgage insurance.
Family is a great place to start. Talk to your immediate family, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc. they may be able to help you out with a Gift of funds. This Gift is not a loan, and they will often have to fill out a Gift Letter stating where the funds are coming from and how they are related to you. In some cases a bank statement from them may be required to source the funds.
Many states and cities have bond programs that provide down payments for homebuyers.
A good source for a down payment is money that people with 401k’s have already saved. Using money in a 401k for a down payment on a home, if done wisely can be just a good of an investment in their future. Real Estate normally is a low risk investment when compared to other types of investments. Homes usually appreciate over time under normal conditions. This appreciation over time can often outpace the gains made in a retirement account.
Another source for down payment assistance are grant assistance programs such as the Nehemiah program that you do not have to pay back! You can get as much as 6% down of the final contract sale towards down payment or closing costs.
How to shop for a mortgage
Mortgages are complicated. Not only is the process complex and stressful, but it may be the largest financial transaction of your life. It is important that you choose the right loan, the right mortgage banker, and get the best rate. So how do you coordinate all of these things and still manage to close on your home?
When shopping for a mortgage choose the mortgage broker that focuses on your needs and addresses those needs with the right loan program.
Shopping for a mortgage can be overwhelming to an inexperienced loan shopper. The process can be complex and intimidating. It is probably best to work with someone that comes highly recommended by a friend or relative. However sometimes you have to do your own research. In that case, choose a mortgage professional that conveys your needs and understands your unique financial needs. Make sure all of your questions are answered clearly and to your satisfaction.
When shopping for a mortgage learn about the various types of mortgages available–such as 30-year or 15-year fixed rate, adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), balloon etc. Get quotes from at least three lending institutions or brokers before settling on one. Get referrals from your realtor, friends and family members who have recently purchased homes. Request an itemization of closing costs from each lender before submitting an application. Inquire about charges on one lender’s list that are not on others; this may prevent undisclosed fees from surprising you at settlement.
Make sure you are 100% comfortable with the mortgage professional you choose. If at any time you feel out of the loop, this mortgage professional should be willing to answer your questions and/or concerns in a timely manner.
Unless told otherwise, your mortgage broker will always assume your property and situation are plain vanilla. Be sure to inform your loan officer if the property is a single family residence, a unit in a condominium, or other type of property, and be prepared to divulge your social security number and authorization for us to pull your credit report.
Remember your broker takes all your info and uses that to determine the best loan for your situation but you ultimately have the final say in which loan you want.
For first time home buyers, when it comes to determining how much mortgage can you afford, it is important to stay realistic and be honest to yourself. Lending institutions’ qualifying ratios completely ignores your other financial goals, such as contributions to retirement/children’s college funds. Nor do they take into account remodeling expenses.
Today the loan process is so much easier online. Before the Internet the loan process was a hassle. You would typically have to take off work to meet with bankers and present mounds of paper work before you had any idea what programs might be available for your situation. Now you can do your necessary research online in the comfort of you own home.
Getting the best deal depends on more than just finding the best interest rate or lowest closing costs. You must take both of these things into account. You must also be sure that the loan itself is appropriate to your situation. You wouldn’t want a 2-year ARM if you know you will be living in the house for a long time and don’t plan on refinancing. Likewise, you wouldn’t want a 30-year fixed rate mortgage if you plan on moving or refinancing within a year or two. Different loan programs have different interest rates, so you must be sure to get a loan that is appropriate to your situation, or you may pay too much!
Getting a mortgage and getting your vehicle fixed are two very different propositions. But they are alike in the fact that you truly want someone you can trust to perform the needed duties. A good mortgage agent and a good mechanic should have the same goals: to serve the customer in such a way that they will return and refer other business in the future. Go with someone you can trust.
Choosing the right loan for you can be difficult, once you have chosen your mortgage broker their job is to choose the right loan for you and your situation.
First Time Homebuyer
Editors Note: Due to the mortgage and credit crunch, First Time Homebuyer Mortgages may be harder to obtain. If you’re in need of a Mortgage in Denver contact us to discuss your mortgage options.
A first time homebuyer can purchase a home and obtain a home loan with zero money down many times. The better your credit is, chances are the better your mortgage interest rate(s) will be.
In some states/counties, first time homebuyers are entitled to a discount on some of the fees associated with purchasing a home. There is often a discounted transfer tax. You may be required to sign an affidavit stating that you are a first time home buyer. The affidavit will also define what qualifies as a first time home buyer. In some instances you can not have owned any interest in any property ever, in some cases it is if you have not owned any property in the past three years
Lenders are constantly coming out with new mortgage programs to help first time home buyers purchase a home. Check with you local mortgage professional to see what programs are available for you.
First time homebuyers who don’t have a down payment end up doing an 80/20 and usually on a 2/28 or similar product. It just makes better since because getting one loan or a fixed rate would result in a larger monthly payment.
When you are making an offer on the home you should ask for seller concessions. Many lenders allow seller concessions up 6%. These concessions will cover all the closing costs and will allow you virtually zero out of pocket expenses.
You may also be able to use a down payment assistance program if you cannot secure 100% financing and have no down payment of your own.