Home Buying Tips Archives Page 9 of 11

Five Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

April 2, 2020/2 Comments/in Blog/by Courtney Coon

Your three-digit credit score can make or break your financial future.

Interested in buying a home? Your credit score will determine whether or not you qualify. Looking to buy a new car or recreational vehicle? Your credit score will determine your interest rate. Hoping to take out a personal loan to invest in your child’s future? You need to have good credit to do so.

If your credit score isn’t up to par, we’re here to help! But before we offer you tips to improve your three-digit score, we want to make sure you understand how your score is calculated.

A combination of five factors determines your FICO credit score; some factors impact the score more than others. Take a look at the graph below to better understand.

FICO scores can range from 300 to 850, but for mortgage purposes, your goal should be 680 or above.

Here are five tips to help you reach that 680 benchmark.

Make sure your credit reports are accurate. Lenders analyze reports from three credit bureaus when you apply for a mortgage – Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. If you don’t have a copy of your reports, you can claim a free report from each bureau once every 12 months at annualcreditreport.com. Mistakes are known to happen, and reporting errors can have a negative impact on your score. If you find a credit reporting error, dispute the mistakes with the appropriate credit reporting agency and your score may improve.
Make your payments on time. According to experts, a large portion of your credit score (35 percent, to be exact) is calculated based on payment history. Making your payments on time, every time can greatly impact your score. This includes credit card bills or any loans you may have, such as auto loans or student loans, your rent, utilities, phone bill and so on.
Reduce the amount you owe. Roughly 30 percent of your credit score is calculated based on the amount of debt you owe. Most loan programs have very specific debt-to-income ratios in place that can keep you from purchasing your dream home. For the ultimate credit score boost, credit experts suggest you pay on time, twice per month, and decrease the amount you owe. This will help control the factors that collectively make up 65 percent of your score.
Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account. This is easier said than done, but if your spouse or parent has excellent credit and a perfect payment history, it would benefit you (and improve your credit score) if you were added as an authorized user on their credit card account. Why? The account will show up on your credit report as well as the credit utilization rate and all the on-time payments associated with the account, which will naturally increase your score.
Open a secure credit card. Opening a secure credit card, and using it properly, can help to increase your credit score. You’ll be required to deposit money into a checking account to secure the line of credit. Payments will come directly out of this account, so they will always be on time and will never be missed.

Your credit score won’t improve over night, but with a little hard work and dedication, you’ll be moving into your dream home in no time.

Analyzing Your Current Financial Situation

March 12, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

Long before you make an offer on your dream home, it is important to honestly look at your current financial situation.

Variables such as your credit score, employment history and how much you have saved for a down payment can greatly influence the type of loan that you qualify for. Equally as important, the type of loan you qualify for can impact how viable and attractive your offer is to a potential seller.

It is important for you to analyze your spending habits. If you do not have a budget, you should start one now. This will help you understand you spending habits so that the lifestyle that is important to you will be maintainable as a homeowner.

One of the most important considerations is how comfortable with your monthly payment. For a great app to calculate a payment, click here.

As a rule of thumb, total housing costs should be no more than 25 percent of your net pay. So, if your net monthly household income is $3500 per month, a safe mortgage payment would be $875. No two households have the same expenses, so it is important to honestly look at what your expenditures are when you do a budget.

Note that lenders do not use net income when they calculate your debt to income. They use gross pay. The formula they use oftentimes (but not always) allows you to borrow more than you may be comfortable with or should spend. I call this giving you enough rope to hang yourself. No one wants to be house poor and feel strapped paying for a mortgage they really can’t afford. That is why knowing your budget, comfort level is so important.

It is also important that you are aware of the expenses prior to closing.

Earnest Money or Good Faith Deposit
Home Inspection
Appraisal Fee
Closing Costs and Pre-Paids

These costs vary and some of them can be paid on your behalf by the seller. Additionally, it is a good idea (and sometimes required by financing) that you have a few months mortgage payments in reserves, any moving costs, furniture, appliances, etc. You can typically estimate how much you will need for these costs by getting pre-approved for a loan by a lender that you trust and is highly recommended to you.

Your credit rating is a primary factor in qualifying for a mortgage.

The type of loan, down payment required and the interest rate you qualify for are all dependent on your credit score. Sometimes you will need funds to pay down credit or pay off derogatory credit.

It is important to consider all of these variables well in advance of looking for a home to purchase. Make sure you have enlisted a trusted advisor who can guide you through this process so that when the time comes, you will be in tip-top shape to purchase your dream home.

Tax Tips for Michigan Residents

February 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

It’s that time of year again! No, I am not talking about March Madness or the finale of “The Bachelor” … It’s tax time! For some (like self-employed people) that have not been paying quarterly taxes, it is a time to pay the piper. But for the vast majority of us, it is the time of year where we can actually get a tax refund.

So, what is the best use of those funds? Like most questions, the answers vary depending on the individual situation. If you are swimming in debt it may be time to pay some of that debt off. If you have not funded your 401(k) for the year, perhaps that money is best used to invest in a tax deferred plan.

If, however, you are not taking advantage of all the benefits, of home ownership, it may be the perfect time to purchase a home. The average tax refund these days is about $2,800. Many loans only require that you put between 1 percent and 3 percent down. This means you may have enough money to close a loan with only the refund.

Did you know that the average monthly rent payment in our area is more than the average monthly mortgage payment? For example, the average monthly rent in Muskegon (February 2020) is $880. The medium home price is $128,000. After just 3 percent down, the payment with taxes and insurance would be about $830.

So, on average, the monthly expenditure owning a home is less than renting. But even if the payment was higher on the mortgage payment it would most likely still be beneficial to own? Why? Two main reasons: appreciation and amortization.

Appreciation: Appreciation is the rate at which the value of something increases in value. The average appreciation in our area is about 3.8 percent for real estate. For the last five years has been 6.3 percent! On $128,000, the forecasted appreciation gain in the next nine years (using only 3.4 percent) is $45,466! Compare that to rent where the is obviously $0.

Amortization: The second reason is amortization gain. Remember, while the amount you owe on a mortgage goes down over time and the payment stays the same, on a rental the amount you pay for rent will likely continue to go up. In 9 years, you’ll pay over $22,000 down on the home. When you rent, you’re just paying down your landlord’s mortgage.

So even assuming the cost of a Real Estate sale’s commission sale of 6 percent, in nine years you are $55,000 richer when you buy a home vs. renting.

Given this, as well as the emotional and text benefits of home ownership, tax time may be a great time to buy. Call me if you would like to talk further about your specific options.

Cash-Out Refi vs. HELOC: Which Should You Choose?

December 5, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

Many homeowners, at some point in their lives, need extra cash. The reasons people need a quick cash infusion could be one of many:

Major home improvement
New vehicle
Wedding
College
Vacation
Unforeseen emergency

And who hasn’t heard the story of a now-successful billionaire entrepreneur who put it all on the line to fund a startup by either remortgaging his house or taking out a home equity loan?

The reasons people need money are as plentiful as there are leaves on the trees.

Home Equity at All-Time High

With mortgage rates low and home equity rising, it makes sense that people would tap the value of their single biggest investment – their house – for extra funds when the time comes.

According to MSNBC, in October, 2018, untapped home equity — the difference between a property’s value and the amount owed on it — stood at an all-time high of $14.4 trillion.

In June of this year, total refinance volume was up 79.5% from the same week a year ago, which is the highest level since January 2018.

The same can’t be said for home equity lines of credit (HELOC), however. Demand for HELOCs collapsed to 15-year low earlier this year.

Why the difference? And what should you choose if you find yourself in need of extra money?

Refi vs. HELOC

To appreciate the reason for these trends, it’s important to understand the difference between a refinanced mortgage and a HELOC. Here are summaries of the two taken from the website Investopedia.

Refinance: “A refinance occurs when an individual revises the interest rate, payment schedule, and terms of a mortgage. Debtors will often choose to refinance a loan agreement when the interest rate environment has substantially changed, causing potential savings on debt payments from a new agreement.”
HELOC: “Home equity loans and HELOCs both use the equity in your home—that is, the difference between your home’s value and your mortgage balance—as collateral Because the loans are secured against the value of your home, home equity loans offer extremely competitive interest rates—usually close to those of first mortgages. Compared to unsecured borrowing sources, like credit cards, you’ll be paying far less in financing fees for the same loan amount.”

So when it comes to tapping the rising equity in your home, which should you choose?

Cash-Out Refi

In the world of refinance, there are many different types. But in the current climate of low rates and rising equity, one refinance option stands out among the crowd when it comes to getting cold, hard cash for the value of your home: cash-out refinance.

“Cash-outs” are common when the underlying asset – aka, the value of a house — increases in value. With a cash-out refi, you withdraw equity of your house or condo in exchange for a higher loan amount. A cash-out refi lets you gain access to the value in your house via a loan rather than by selling it. This option gives you access to cash immediately while still maintaining ownership of your house.

Here’s a scenario:

Your home is worth $300,000
You owe $200,000
Thus, you have have $100,000 in equity

With cash-out refinancing, you could receive a portion of this equity in cash. If you wanted to take out $40,000 in cash, this amount would be added to the principal of your new home loan. In this example, the principal on your new mortgage after the cash-out refinance would be $240,000.

What’s Right for You?

Of course, everyone’s situation is different. And you should consult with your financial advisor before making any big move. But, in general, a cash-out refinance makes sense in a number of situations:

When you have the opportunity to use the equity in your home to consolidate other debt and reduce your total interest payments each month
When you are unable to get other financing for a large purchase or investment
When the cost of other financing is more expensive than the rate you can get on a cash-out refinancing

Another advantage of cash-out refis is that you are free to use the cash in just about any way you want.

If you are considering a cash-out refinance or have questions about refinancing options, give us a call!

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1.

What is debt-to-income ratio?

October 24, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the percentage of your income that goes toward paying your monthly debts. DTI can often be overlooked as many people assume that a good credit score and a high income are the only two factors needed to be taken into consideration when seeking to purchase a home.

However, for many lenders, that’s not enough to be considered a good mortgage candidate. As a borrower, your DTI is utilized in various situations to determine your level of risk. For instance, if your DTI is too high, opportunities to make a big purchase, such as a mortgage, may be limited.

How to Calculate Your DTI Ratio

DTI Ratio = (Monthly expenses ÷ Pre-Tax Income) x 100
Start by adding up your monthly bills such as:

Rent or house payment
Alimony or child support
Student loans
Auto payments
Other

Next, divide your total sum by your gross monthly income (income before taxes). Multiply by 100. Your result is your DTI ratio.

The goal is to keep your DTI ratio as low as possible. The lower the ratio, the less risky you are to lenders. An adequate DTI ratio is below 36 percent. Typically, having a DTI ratio of 43 percent is the maximum ratio you can have in order to be qualified for a mortgage.

Front-End DTI vs. Back-End DTI

There are two variations of DTI: Front-End and Back-End.

A front-end DTI calculates how much of a person’s gross income is going towards housing costs.
Front-End DTI = (Housing Expenses ÷ Gross Monthly Income) x 100

A back-end DTI calculates the percentage of gross income going toward other types of debt (credit cards, car loans, etc.).
Back-End DTI = (Total monthly debt expense ÷ Gross Monthly Income) x 100

The main difference between Front-End and Back-End DTI ratios is that the front-end ratio only considers the mortgage payment and other housing expenses whereas the back-end ratio considers all other types of debt. Lenders will utilize this ratio in conjunction with the front-end ratio to approve mortgages.

Why is Knowing Your DTI Ratio Important?

Your DTI ratio is utilized by lenders as a measuring tool. Your DTI ratio helps lenders determine your ability to manage your finances, specifically, your monthly payments to repay the money you borrowed. Keep in mind that lenders do not know what you will do with your money in the future, so they refer to historical data to verify your income and debt totals. Moreover, your DTI ratio illustrates that you have a sufficient balance between your income and debt, thus, are more likely to be able to manage your mortgage payments.

If you are considering buying a home or have questions about your DTI ratio, give us a call!

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1 and originally appeared on www.mortgageone.com. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1.

Appraisals vs. Home Inspections

October 17, 2019/3 Comments/in Blog/by Courtney Coon

As Michigan Mortgage Loan Officer Dave Lehner would say, “Don’t buy a money pit!”

What exactly does that mean?

Appraisals are required as past of the home-buying process. Home inspections are not, but they may be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your financial future. A home inspection will ensure that you don’t buy a money pit.

Here’s the difference between the two.

Appraisals

Required.
An appraiser provides a professional opinion of the home’s value. They do not analyze the “systems” of the home.
The goal is to make sure buyers are not overpaying for a home.
A home is appraised based on size, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, functionality and recent sales of similar properties in the area.
The cost is typically between $400 and $575.

Home Inspections

Optional.
A home inspector will examine the physical structure as well as the “systems” of the house ranging from the foundation to the roof.
The home’s HVAC system, plumbing and electrical components, roof, attic, insulation, walls and ceilings, windows and doors, floors, foundation and basement will be assessed.
The home inspector is a licensed professional.
Buyers can use the inspection results to renegotiate the purchase price and request that the sellers make home improvements.
The cost is typically between $300 and $500.

As lenders, we’re responsible for ordering appraisals before proceeding to the closing table. We have no control over which appraiser is assigned to which home. The homebuyer is typically responsible for paying the appraisal fee.

Because the home inspection is not required, inspectors are hired by the homebuyer. We work with a pool of reliable experts and are happy to recommend one that will best meet your needs. The home inspector is working on the buyer’s behalf, so the cost is paid for by the buyer.

If you have questions about appraisals or home inspections, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help in any way we can!

How to Eliminate Mortgage Insurance

October 3, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Rob Garrison

Most buyers have heard of Mortgage Insurance and know that it is insurance that does not protect them but rather the lender against them defaulting on the home loan.

What most buyers don’t know is how they can avoid or when it can removed from their mortgage.

Mortgage insurance (MI) comes in the form of a few different names but it is essentially the same thing.

Conventional loans refer to it as PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) whereas FHA and Rural Development (RD) refer to it as MIP (mortgage insurance premium). VA does not have it at all but they have a funding fee on most loans that is added to the principal balance. FHA and RD have a similar add on fee that is called upfront mortgage insurance.

Regardless of what it is called and where it is charged, MI is a fee that lenders use to offset the losses that occur when people don’t pay on their loans. It is charged to many to pay for the sins of a few.

For conventional loans, if you have 20 percent down, you will not be charged MI.

FHA and RD have mortgage insurance as a monthly fee regardless of the equity position, so even if you put 20 percent down on these loans, you will have mortgage insurance.

I am often asked how clients can get rid of mortgage insurance. Obviously, not everyone has enough savings to put 20 percent down but they don’t want to have this fee on their loan forever.

Again, RD and FHA have it no matter how much you put down, but for conventional loans, there are a couple creative ways to get rid of the mortgage insurance.

Option 1: Pay a fee upfront and not have a monthly mortgage insurance at all. While this helps reduce the total monthly payment, it is not always a wise decision. If the borrower will not be in the loan for long enough to recoup charge to remove it, the benefit it is not advisable to buy out of the MI. Similarly, it does not make sense to buy out of MI in an interest-rate environment that seems to be going down. In other words, if the person is likely to refinance or sell in the next 24 -to-36 months, it probably does not make sense to pay a flat fee to get out of the mortgage insurance.

Given enough time in the mortgage, however, you can save up to 50 percent of what you would otherwise eventually pay monthly. In other words, paying upfront gives you a discount if you stay in the loan long enough.

Option 2: Have the lender pay it for you. This is called lender paid MI. Buyer beware on this tactic. While this sounds great, there is no free lunch; that maneuver will inevitably increase your interest rate.

Option 3: Get a first mortgage and a second mortgage. Assume a buyer had a 10 percent down payment. They would finance 80 percent of the sale price on the first mortgage but then close the loan with a second mortgage for the remaining 10 percent. It sounds like a great idea until you realize that the interest rate on the first mortgage has a substantial price adjustment when you piggyback it with a second mortgage. Additionally, the second mortgage itself is generally a higher interest rate and oftentimes interest only. In the end, this tactic is not usually worth the effort.

If a buyer opts to have normal monthly MI, which many do, the next question is how does one get rid of Mortgage insurance once they have it?

Previously we mention that that on FHA and RD the mortgage insurance stays on for the life of the loan. This means the only way to eliminate the insurance is to refinance.

For conventional loans, mortgage insurance is eliminated in a couple of different ways.

It is automatically removed once a consumer pays 22 percent off of the originally borrowed loan amount. It can also be removed with an appraisal that shows 20 percent equity. A third way to remove the mortgage insurance is with a refinance.

In an environment where there has been a lot of equity, interest rates have been reduced, and the consumer has paid down the loan enough, refinancing is often times very good option.

All of this is to say that the need for a trusted advisor who manages your debt annually is imperative. Our job is just beginning once you close your loan. We help you build financial wealth with real estate and manage your debt to your advantage. We are here to guide you.

Now is the Time to Get Your Mortgage Online

September 26, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Courtney Coon

Technology touches all aspects of our lives, from banking to shopping to dating. The mortgage industry is no different. Buying a home today is vastly superior to what it was years ago, thanks to the benefits of online mortgage applications like Home SNAP. Gone are the long wait times, the reams of paperwork, and the outlandish fees.

Online Applications Make a Mortgage Easier

What makes today’s home buying process so much easier? In a word: technology.

Technology has streamlined the mortgage lending process in the same way technology streamlines other transactions. Today, applying for a mortgage is faster, easier, more accurate and less costly for millions of home purchasers. Online tools such as “Mortgage in a SNAP” make the loan application process simpler and faster. They make home-buying a breeze.

Benefits of an Online Mortgage

For home buyers, the benefits of technology to the mortgage application process are easy to summarize.

Convenience
Accuracy
Lower fees
Speed

Online mortgage apps speed up mortgage lending in multiple ways. Technology reduces paperwork. It eliminates the need to send documents via the mail. It nullifies the need to meet in person to sign documents.

Convenience

Online mortgage apps provide convenience to mortgage lending by allowing borrowers to complete their applications any time, from anywhere. Borrowers also have the ability to login and view the status of their loan application at any time. Online mortgage platforms like “Mortgage in a SNAP” allow users to apply for a mortgage without having to meet or call a loan officer.

Accuracy

Online mortgage apps improve the accuracy of mortgage lending. All of the financial data is calculated and transferred automatically by computers. There is no room for error.

Lower Fees

For all of the reasons cited above, online applications lower the fees of mortgage lending. Mortgage lenders like Mortgage 1 use technology to reduce expenses by automating parts of the underwriting process. By offering faster closing and greater insight into the process, mortgage technology not only creates a more convenient experience, it also lower costs.

Benefits of Online Mortgages for First-Time Buyers

Technology provides many advantages to first-time home buyers, specifically. Many of today’s first-time home buyers are technologically savvy, having grown up using computers and smartphones their entire lives.

According to the National Association of Realtors, consumers who grew up using computers and smartphones make up 34 percent of home buyers. As these buyers enter the real estate market, they seek out mortgage lenders who provide convenience and technology solutions. Online mortgage applications do just that. And more.

Are you ready to take advantage of technology to make your home buying process easier? Click here to get the online process started.

This blog post was written by experts at Mortgage 1. Michigan Mortgage is a DBA of Mortgage 1.

Tips to Prepare Your House for Sale

August 28, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by Courtney Coon

The summer market is still going strong in West Michigan! And it’s a great time to sell your home.

You goal – and your Realtor’s goal – will be to get you the best sales price possible. Here are a few small projects you can do to make sure that happens.

Focus on the Exterior

Start with power washing. Wash your siding, sidewalks, decks and any other outdoor structures to make them look good as new.
Clean out your garage and de-clutter your yard.
A new front door, or a new coat of paint on your current door, will give your home a much-needed face lift.
Wash your windows – inside and out – so people can appreciate the view.
Keep the lawn mowed and spruce up your landscape. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars and completely redo the space, but pulling weeds and trimming trees can go a long way. If your local greenhouse is open, purchase a hanging basket or two to add color to your front porch.
Don’t forget the little things. Make sure all of your exterior lights are in working order, make sure your house number is visible and purchase a new welcome mat to impress potential buyers.

Make Sure the Interior Feels like “Home”

Organize and de-clutter so buyers see how much space is available inside your home.
Make sure every inch of your home is clean so buyers have an easier time imaging their new life in your existing space.
If the budget allows, fresh paint and new carpet can help your home sell faster and for more money.
Decorate – or remove decorations – so every room has a clear purpose that will appear to a majority of buyers.
Make sure you fix anything that’s broken. Buyers will use imperfections as an excuse to write you a lower offer.
Before your scheduled open house, make sure the trash is taken out, kitchen counters are clear, all lights are working and dirty laundry is hidden.

The little things can go a long way!

If you’re working with a Realtor, don’t hesitate to lean on them for advice. They will help you identify the must-fix items before buyers step foot in the door.

We wish you luck selling your home!

Success Story: Dan Procko

August 21, 2019/0 Comments/in Success Story/by Courtney Coon

When people hear the word “mortgage” they often think about the excitement of moving on from their current home and purchasing a new and improved dream home.

But sometimes, refinancing your current mortgage – and saving a ton of money along the way – can be equally as rewarding.

Dan Procko knows that first hand.

“I purchased my home about five years ago when the market was hot and prices were much lower than they are today,” Dan said. “It was a bank foreclosure and needed some work, so shortly after the purchase I took out a home equity line of credit to make repairs and updates such as a new furnace, water heater, plumbing work, electrical and some cosmetic upgrades.”

“And now, a few years and a baby later, it’s time for another home improvement project,” he said. “I also wanted to consolidate some debt and refinance the HELOC into one mortgage payment.”

After receiving refinance incentives from his current lender, and analyzing the mortgage interest rates, Dan decided this summer was the right time to refinance.

“When the right time came, I had HomePoint Financial run a refinance scenario and, at the time, they offered me a no upfront appraisal fee incentive,” he said. “Then after running my credit and it was time to order the appraisal, they needed me to pay upfront and would not honor their incentive.”

“This prompted me to contact my realtor friend and she recommended Rob Garrison’s team at Michigan Mortgage.”

Dan reached out to Rob and his team via email. He received an immediate response that clearly laid out the steps and expectations related to refinancing.

“It was very simple,” he said. Rob and his team were quick to reply anytime Dan had questions. He was informed every step of the way.

“Michigan Mortgage was able to provide me a more competitive refinance estimate and consulted me about buying percentage points,” he said. “I felt comfortable moving forward with the credit check and ordering the appraisal.”

Dan’s comfort with Michigan Mortgage was reaffirmed when he met with the appraiser.

“First my realtor friend and now the appraiser has nothing but positive things to say about Michigan Mortgage,” he said. “The turn-around time was quick, the timeline provided was exceeded and the entire process could not have gone any smoother.”

As stated before, Dan’s refinance goal was to consolidate his existing mortgage and HELOC. When he officially closed in July, he accomplished so much more.

“I was also able to pay off a credit card, pay off my vehicle loan and have enough money to upgrade my electrical panel all while reducing my monthly bills by over $500 per month.”

A painless process, a lower interest rate and lots of money saved. What more could you ask for?

“The closing was quick and held right at the Michigan Mortgage location,” he said. “I was able to meet Rob and he introduced me to the team face-to-face, which I really appreciated in this online, email and texting world day and age.”

“I will recommend Michigan Mortgage and Rob Garrison to anyone looking to buy or refinance.”

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