credit: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Your First Home
- 03/25/19 06:42 AM
Hunting for your new home can be a confusing process. There are countless factors you need to take into account to ensure your new location fits your family's lifestyle and preferences. In their excitement, first-time home buyers can easily overlook some essential points about their potential property. When you're searching for your new residence, ask these questions to get exactly what you're looking for. Am I Financially Ready For A New Home Purchase? It takes more than money to find the right home. Your credit rating is an important factor in your ability to secure enough funding to finance your dream. Check out your … (4 comments)
Having an excellent credit score is very useful. The following are some tips on how to maintain a superb credit score. Open Credit Accounts When You Do Not Need Them If you don't have any credit accounts, you will have a low score. The best time to open them is when you do not need them. Keep a small balance on them and pay it all off at the end of each month to avoid paying interest. Charge Up To Half The Credit Limit Then Pay It All Back Within A Few Months If you must use a credit line, only use half of it … (2 comments)
credit: What Makes Up A PITI Mortgage Payment?
- 03/18/19 08:07 AM
Many mortgage payments are made up of four parts, called PITI. PITI is an acronym that stands for principal, interest, tax, and insurance. It's important to understand PITI because it is the real number you need to use in order to find out how much mortgage you can afford to pay each month. One of the biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make is using only the principal plus interest figure to calculate how much they'll be paying every month for their mortgage. Then, when the lender comes back and denies them, the prospective buyer is confused. Knowing and understanding PITI will put you … (2 comments)
credit: Myths About Buying A Vacation Home
- 08/17/18 09:33 AM
Are you thinking about buying a vacation home? Maybe owning two homes is part of your retirement dream. Maybe you'd like to have a second home in your favorite holiday locale. If you are thinking about taking this step, you might have talked to family and friends about it. Unfortunately, many people give well-intentioned, yet poor advice when it comes to buying a vacation home. Here are some myths -- and the truth -- about buying a second home straight from leading real estate experts. You Can Buy A Vacation Home With No Money Down You have probably seen advertisements about buying a … (3 comments)
credit: What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - July 9th, 2018
- 07/09/18 09:51 AM
Last week's economic releases included monthly readings on construction spending, public and private sector job growth and June's national unemployment rate. Weekly readings included Freddie Mac mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Construction Spending Rises in May According to the Commerce, construction spending rose 0.40 percent in May; public sector construction spending rose 0.70 percent and private sector spending rose by 0.30 percent. Residential construction rose by o.80 percent, which analysts regarded as a good sign for the economy. Building more homes has long been identified as the only solution for persistent housing shortages that cause high demand for homes and rapidly rising … (0 comments)
credit: Look Beyond The Interest Rate: What Else Matters When Choosing A Mortgage Lender?
- 06/29/18 10:56 AM
Most consumers securing a mortgage plan to remain in that loan for 30 years. During that time, the borrower maintains a relationship with the loan servicer or lender. Most often, home buyers do not think twice about who the mortgage lender is, but rather focus on the interest rates offered. Look beyond this information. Borrowers need to take into consideration much more before they sign on the dotted line. Here's what to look for specifically: Choosing a Specialized Lender Can Help Home buyers interested in special loan programs must select a lender approved to provide those loans. FHA, USDA and VA loans, in … (1 comments)
credit: Understanding the Factors That Impact Your Credit Score
- 06/28/18 07:55 AM
Most consumers believe if they pay their bills on time, they need not worry about their credit score. Oftentimes, it is a rude awakening when they apply for a mortgage loan, car loan, or any revolving credit to learn they are not going to get the lowest rates available due to their credit score. This is because paying bills on time only accounts for 35 percent of your credit score. The remaining 65 percent is spread out among other factors that impact your credit score. Credit Usage and Impact on Score Nearly one-third, 30 percent, of your credit score is based on … (4 comments)
credit: Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio
- 06/06/18 09:12 AM
When you are filling out a mortgage application, the lender will be asking you for specific financial information. One of the reasons they ask for this information is to enable the underwriter to calculate your debt to income ratio. The debt to income ratio is what most mortgage lenders use to determine the level of risk they are taking when they agree to provide you a mortgage. Most mortgage lenders will use your debt to income ratio to determine your interest rate, down payment requirements, and in some instances, escrow requirements. How Lenders Calculate Debt to Income Ratio When your loan is being … (1 comments)
credit: 5 Key Factors That Affect Your Mortgage Rate
- 05/01/18 01:48 PM
Many first time home buyers often wonder what factors determine their mortgage rate. Is it their credit score? Is it the type of loan chosen? Is it the size of the loan? The truth is, there are many factors at play. Mortgage interest rates are not standardized across the board, so they vary from lender to lender and from borrower to borrower. Here are 5 common factors that determine or affect your mortgage interest rate: 1. Default Risk Risk is a key consideration when determining mortgage interest rates. Banks and other lenders are in a risky business because there is always a chance of … (2 comments)
credit: Speed Your Mortgage Approval by Following This Checklist
- 01/30/18 09:30 AM
Have you finally found your dream home after months of searching, only to discover that the seller has received other offers? Few circumstances can raise your stress level as much as finding yourself in a bidding war against another buyer. However, being unprepared by not having your finances in order can make the situation even worse. Let's take a quick look at a few ways that you can speed up your mortgage approval if you are in a hurry to buy your next home. Pull Your Credit Report ASAP The first step you will want to do is check your credit report … (4 comments)
credit: How to Run a Quick Financial Health Check Before You Apply for a Mortgage
- 12/21/17 02:15 PM
Are you planning on using a mortgage to help cover the cost of a new home? If so, you will want to prepare your finances and figure out how you will manage all those wallet-draining monthly expenses. Let's take a look at how to run a quick financial health check to ensure you are ready to apply for a mortgage. Update (Or Start) Your Monthly Budget First, it is essential to get the basics out of the way. If you haven't already, it's time to start a monthly budget to keep track of your income and expenses. Once you have a mortgage, … (2 comments)
credit: Mortgage 101: Understanding 'PITI' and What Goes in to Your Monthly Payments
- 12/21/17 02:07 PM
Ask any friend or family member that owns a home and they will share that it takes a bit of management to keep all the expenses under control. Let's explore the concept of PITI and why it is vital to have a clear picture of how much your home is costing you each month. Just What Is PITI, Anyway? PITI is an acronym that stands for "principal, interest, taxes and insurance," which are the four main components that make up your housing costs. Principal - this is the amount that you are paying against the total amount that you borrowed when you purchased … (4 comments)
credit: 5 Big Misconceptions About Mortgage Lenders And What You Should Know
- 12/15/17 09:39 AM
Are you in the market to purchase your first home? Congratulations! You've earned your slice of the American dream. The process of buying a home is exciting and nerve-wracking. Becoming a home owner is a huge step in life. As a first-time home buyer, you may not know much about the buying process. Aside from your realtor, mortgage lenders are extremely important. You want to ensure that the lender you choose has your best interests in mind. Looking to learn more about mortgage lenders? Want to be an informed home buyer? If so, continue reading! We'll discuss the top 5 misconceptions about lenders. 1. My … (2 comments)
credit: Man Vs. Machine: Why Using a Human Mortgage Professional Is Better Than Trusting an App
- 12/05/17 10:55 AM
Are you currently house-hunting or plan to be in the near future? If you plan on using mortgage financing to pay for your home, you will soon discover that there's no shortage of options available to you. You can meet with a local mortgage professional, apply for mortgages online and even download mobile apps that promise to set you up with a mortgage. However, is every option equal? Let's explore why, in the epic battle of man versus machine, you will want to place your trust in a human mortgage professional. Human Mortgage Professionals Have Local Experience The first and most important reason you … (7 comments)
credit: Four Pieces of Mortgage 'Advice' to Take With the Proverbial Grain of Salt
- 12/01/17 10:03 AM
Are you in the market for a new home? If you have been talking to friends and family or researching online, you have likely come across quite a bit of mortgage-related advice. As with anything, there is low-quality advice out there which is essential to avoid. In today's blog post we will share four pieces of mortgage-related advice that you should take with the proverbial 'grain of salt.' #1: Only Get A Mortgage From Your Bank Have you heard that you should only get a mortgage from the major bank that you use regularly? Many people believe that working with a large bank … (8 comments)
credit: Til' Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has Poor Credit
- 04/12/17 08:18 AM
A poor credit history is a reality for many people, but it can be particularly daunting when it comes to investing in a house. Simply because you or yours have experienced bad credit doesn't mean that you should be penalized in the future. If your spouse has struggled with bad credit in the past but you're both preparing to move forward and invest in a home, here are some tips for getting it together financially. Face The Music Many people who have bad credit are too scared to look at their credit report and broach it honestly. But it's important to come … (5 comments)
credit: 3 Budgeting Tips For Home Buying With One Income
- 04/11/17 08:52 AM
Are you thinking about buying that perfect new home? Whether you're buying for yourself or for a family, there will be many costs involved. Let's take a look at 3 budgeting tips that will help make home ownership on a single income easier. Get A Full Picture Of Home Ownership Costs Buying a home is never as simple as paying a mortgage payment each month. As with most budgets, the first place to start is a full consideration of everything involved. On top of your mortgage, what other monthly costs will come up? Consider utilities like electricity, phone, cable, water and others. … (2 comments)
credit: Your Debt-To-Income Ratio and How It Affects Your Mortgage
- 04/05/17 02:12 PM
When you're delving into the market in the hopes of finding your dream home, it's likely you'll come across the term debt-to-income ratio. While it might not seem important at first, but your DTI is the key to determining the amount of money you can put into your home and how much you should spend on a monthly basis. If you're curious about what this means for you, here's how to calculate DTI and how it can impact your mortgage. What's Your DTI Ratio? One of the best ways to determine whether or not a home is affordable for you is to first … (5 comments)
credit: How To Boost Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage
- 02/20/17 02:25 PM
There are a variety of factors that are involved in getting your mortgage approved, but few things will have more impact than your FICO score and the credit history that goes along with it. Instead of leaving your score up to chance when submitting your application, here are a few ways that you can boost your financial well-being. Put More On Your Card It's important to put purchases on your credit card that you can afford to pay off consistently. But many people are not aware that how much debt you owe can actually contribute in a positive way to your credit … (1 comments)
credit: How Much Mortgage You Can Afford? Here's How To Calculate
- 02/17/17 07:22 AM
You're probably aware of the financial commitment that is involved when investing in a home, but what that amounts to is different for every person. From what you can afford to what a lender will allow, there are plenty of details involved in determining the right home for you. If you're not quite sure what the right price is, here's how to approach home ownership and determine your debt-to-income. Calculating Your Debt-To-Income Ratio You may not know what your DTI ratio is, but it has a lot to with how much home you can afford. In order to calculate this amount, add together … (4 comments)
NMLS ID: 247026
Colorado Mortgage License: 100019059
Benchmark Mortgage, Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS ID 2143. Equal Housing Opportunity. This advertisement is for general information purposes only. Some products may not be available in all licensed locations. Information, rates, and pricing are subject to change without prior notice at the sole discretion of Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC. All loan programs subject to borrowers meeting appropriate underwriting conditions. This is not a commitment to lend. Other restrictions may apply. Colorado Mortgage Company Registrant – Regulated by The Division of Real Estate #2143
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