Homeowner associations (HOAs) have become more common over the years than many might think. According to a study in 2018 from the Foundation for Community Association Research, 26.9 million homes in the United States belong to an HOA with the highest concentrations of them in California and Florida. Before buying a home in an HOA, it is important to understand what they are. Here we will illustrate the pros and cons of HOAs so you can be better prepared when you go to buy your next home.
First-Time Homebuyer
Understanding the Basics of Entering an HOA
When buying a home there are multiple things to consider. What kind of mortgage are you going to get? Do you want to remodel? However, one of the most important things to think about that many don’t know is whether your neighborhood has a homeowners association (HOA). In this guide we’ll answer all your questions surrounding HOAs like how much they cost, who controls them, and if you can opt-out.
A Guide for Borrowers to First and Second Mortgage Options
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial undertakings you can make during your life. Not many people can afford to buy their homes outright when the deal closes and need assistance in the form of a mortgage, or two. Here are the main types of mortgages borrowers can utilize when thinking about how to afford a home.
Top Loan Programs Available for First-Time Homebuyers: Part 2
As a first-time homebuyer, it’s important that you know the loan programs available to you. In the first part, we discussed the two popular loan programs available for most homebuyers. In some circumstances, there are also loan programs that can help you buy a home if you have a limited budget or if you want to save your finances for other important matters.
Top Loan Programs Available for First-Time Homebuyers: Part 1
Many first-time homebuyers are entering the real estate market this summer amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in order to acquire a piece of the American dream: homeownership. What many are realizing is that mortgage interest rates have become more favorable than in years past. As a first-time homebuyer, you may too find yourself competing with other buyers in a sellers’ market – where home prices have increased, and inventory is small. However, if you find your budget is tight, here are the best loan programs to help you buy a home for your family.
Getting a Pre-Approval Letter Should be the First Step in Homebuying!
Buying a home can be an exciting time for most first-time homebuyers, but many find it to be an overwhelming process, as well. To help smooth the homebuying process, we recommend getting a mortgage pre-approval as the first step to take.
5 Actions You Can Take if a Lender Denies You a Loan
When house-hunting, it is highly recommended that you seek pre-approval for the loan. The process of getting a mortgage pre-approval a thorough check and verification by a lender to assess your credit standing and evaluate that you can pay off the amount you’re seeking to buy the home. Lenders, however, have recently become stricter with lending requirements due to the uncertainty and volatility that the pandemic has brought to the market and economy.
What Homebuyers Need to Know After Getting a Mortgage Pre-Approval
Serious homebuyers know that getting a pre-approval from a mortgage lender is the first important step before they go out to the market and look for their dream homes. Pre-approval helps homebuyers determine the amount they could borrow to buy a home. Most sellers accept offers from homebuyers who have already been pre-approved by a mortgage lender.
Helpful Tips When Writing an Offer Letter for a House
First-time homebuyers who already have a mortgage pre-approval may find it frustrating if they find a property they can call “home” but never receive any word from a seller after sending an offer letter for the house. It’s no surprise if sellers receive a lot of house offer letters as the inventory of listed homes reaches an all-time low. In this situation, homebuyers should write a compelling house offer letter to possibly convince the seller to accept their offer. Home sellers might have varying factors when choosing a buyer who would occupy their once beloved home, but there are things homebuyers could do when writing an offer.