How Much Mortgage Can I Get? Home Loan Math Made Simple

On October 31, 2016   /   Finance  
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By: Angela Colley

Of all the questions you may have when buying a home, one of the biggest that may stump you is this: How much mortgage can I get? After all, the amount of money you can borrow could spell the difference between snagging your dream home or being priced out of your favorite neighborhood entirely.

Of course, one way to know for sure is to head to a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage—that way you’ll know exactly how much money you can spend on a house. Still, if you don’t want to wait until the banks open (e.g., it’s 2 a.m., you’ve found the perfect home online, and you need to know right now if you can buy it), there are ways to do the mortgage math yourself.

Break down the mortgage into monthly payments

The beauty of a mortgage is that you can pay it off over time rather than all at once (otherwise, you’d just pay cash upfront). Still, this complicates matters because you have to not only figure out what you’ll have to pay every month, but also factor in interest—that’s the extra money you give your lender for the privilege of borrowing all that cash. Then, on top of that, you will also have to pay property taxes and home insurance. So how can you figure all that out?

Luckily there are online mortgage calculators that make the number crunching easy. All you have to do is enter the price of the house you’re eyeing, as well as what you’ve scrounged together for a down payment and the terms of your loan.

Let’s say, for instance, that you’ve found a home in Toledo, OH, for $200,000. Presuming you have $40,000 to put toward a down payment and you get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4%, this will mean your housing payments will end up being around $1,022 per month ($764 to your mortgage, $208 to property taxes, and $50 to home insurance).

These monthly mortgage payments will change based on the terms of your loan and other factors, explains Keith Canter, CEO of First Community Mortgage in Murfreesboro, TN. For instance, if instead you get a 15-year mortgage at a 3% interest rate, your payments rise to $1,363 per month. Put down only $20,000 as a down payment, and your monthly payments rise further, to $1,595. The area you buy in also makes a huge difference, because property taxes vary wildly. Toledo’s may amount to $283 per month, but in Birmingham, AL, you’ll pay less than half that, at $125.

Consider your income—and debts

Knowing how much a mortgage will cost per month is helpful, but still, another question remains: Can you handle paying it? To know the answer to that, you’ll have to factor in a few more numbers of a more personal nature—namely, your income and monthly debts.

Understanding why income is important is easy—the higher your salary, the more money you can put toward a mortgage. Still, the funds you’re funneling every month toward debts—like college loans, car payments, and credit cards—can put a crimp in how much you have for home financing. But how much?

Simple: Just navigate to a home affordability calculator and enter the necessary info, including your income, debts, and down payment, to find out how much house (and mortgage) you can afford. In Toledo, for example, if you earn $60,000 per year, pay $500 per month to debts such as credit cards, and have $40,000 for a down payment, then you can afford a house worth $228,500 at 4% interest—which will amount to monthly payments of $1,298.

Keep in mind that as useful as these tools can be for fleshing out a budget, these numbers are just estimates. You will need to talk to lenders to learn exactly how large a home loan they are willing to give you. Still, having a general understanding of the numbers you need is a good place to start—and can help you set your sights on homes that are realistically within reach.

Happy house hunting!

 

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The Closing Process: What Home Buyers Can Expect on the Big Day

On October 10, 2016   /   Closing  
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closing what to expect

By: Margaret Heindenry

The hardest parts are over: You’ve found that perfect home in a haystack of listings, negotiated a deal you’re happy with, and secured a mortgage—and you’re now in the home stretch of the home-buying process. Just one more critical hurdle lies ahead: the home closing. Also known as “settlement” or “escrow,” this is a day when all involved parties meet to make this transaction official.

To make sure you’re fully prepared, here’s what to expect from the closing process, step by step.

Step No. 1: How to prepare for a closing

Review your closing disclosure form: If you’re getting a loan, one of the best ways to prepare is to thoroughly review your HUD-1 settlement statement.

“This helps ensure the buyer understands the terms of their loan,” says Ben Niernberg, executive vice president of business development and operations at Proper Title.

The HUD-1 settlement statement outlines your exact mortgage payments, a loan’s terms (such as the interest rate and term) and additional fees you’ll pay, called closing costs (which total anywhere from 2% to 7% of your home’s price). Compare your HUD-1 to the good-faith estimate your lender gave you at the outset; make sure they’re similar and ask your lender to explain any discrepancies.

Thanks to new regulations put in effect in October 2015 known as TRID (which stands for TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure), you will receive your HUD-1 three days before closing so that you have plenty of time to check it over. (Before TRID, home buyers received this form only 24 hours ahead of time, which resulted in a lot more last-minute surprises and holdups.)

Do a final walk-through: A buyer’s contract usually allows for a walk-through of the home 24 hours before closing. First and foremost, you’re making sure the previous owner has vacated (unless you’ve allowed a rent-back arrangement where they can stick around for a period of time before moving). Second, make sure the home is in the condition agreed upon in the contract. If you’d had a home inspection done earlier and it had revealed problems that the sellers had agreed to fix, make sure those repairs were made.

If you find an issue during your walk-through, bring it up with the sellers as soon as possible. There’s no need to panic; at worst you can simply delay the closing until you resolve it.

Step No. 2: What to bring to closing

All your paperwork: You’ll want to bring proof of homeowners insurance, a copy of your contract with the seller, your home inspection reports, anything the bank required to approve your loan, and a government-issue photo ID. (Note to newlyweds who just changed their name: That ID needs to match the name that will appear on the property’s title and mortgage.)

Your down payment: You will already know from your disclosure form exactly how much  you’ll have to cough up for a down payment and closing costs. Yet since a personal check won’t cut it, be sure to ask before closing whether you should wire transfer those funds or if you’ll need to bring a cashier’s check. Also bring your personal checkbook to closing, since that’s typically fine to pay smaller fees and may come in handy in case any unforeseen expenses crop up.

Step No. 3: What to expect at closing

A bunch of people: Exactly who will be present at a closing (and where it’s held) depends on the state you live in, but there are certain supporting characters you can usually expect to make an appearance. The cast includes the home seller, the seller’s real estate agent as well as your own, buyer and seller attorneys, a representative from a title company (more on that below), and, occasionally, a representative from the bank or lender where you got your loan.

Title clearance: Before you can own or “take title” to a home, most lenders will require a title search of public property records to make sure there aren’t any liens or issues with transferring the property into your name (which is rare, but if something does crop up, it’s better to know that upfront).

Signing your name a lot: You’ll be putting your John Hancock on a pile of legal documents (so be prepared for a mild hand cramp if you’re not used to writing in cursive).

A few curveballs: Be prepared for things to go awry at the closing, like someone gets stuck in traffic, a document is missing, or a name is misspelled. But don’t stress, simply do what’s in your power to make the day go off without a hitch. For instance, don’t schedule something two hours after the closing is supposed to start in case your closing runs over.

If all goes well (as it usually does), you will eventually leave your home closing with a stack of documents (which you should save) and the keys to your new home (finally!).

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How Long Does It Really Take to Close on a House?

On September 5, 2016   /   Closing  
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house clock

By: Margaret Heidenry

You’ve turned on (and hopefully off) at least 20 water faucets and peered into about 50 closets (oh, the things you’ve seen!). And now, at long last, you’ve found the perfect home. So you make an offer, which is accepted. Congrats. Now, exactly how long does it take to close on a house?

Read on to get the gist of your closing timeline, plus what can slow things down—or speed things up.

Average home closing time frame

One recent study found that closing times are getting longer—on average it now takes 50 days. And while that may seem like an eternity to eager buyers or sellers, there’s good reason this doesn’t happen lickety-split. For one, buyers who require mortgages must finish the loan process and property appraisal.

Home buyers should also use this time to complete their due diligence by reviewing the property title and completing a home inspection, says Todd Huettner of Huettner Capitol. This chunk of time also gives both the seller and buyer time to plan their move.

What can slow down a closing?

Even though a property is under contract, the occasional hitch can make closing time go from warp speed to a ultra-slo-mo. Here are the typical hiccups.

  • Funds: Yes, you guessed it. The most common reason for a delayed closing is usually related to buyer financing, says Jerry Koller of California’s International Home. The leading issue: getting a loan approved. Buyers can avoid this time drain by obtaining a mortgage pre-approval letter, something many sellers require along with an offer. And remember, even with a pre-approval, it can take 30 days for the lender to complete its due diligence once an offer is made, so plan accordingly. Cash buyers save a significant amount of time by avoiding the mortgage process.
  • Appraisal disparities: In order for a mortgage to be approved, the bank needs to appraise the home. But if the appraisal comes in low, it will take time to renegotiate the price.
  • No insurance: Failing to secure homeowners insurance until the last minute slows down a closing since it’s often required before you move in, says Paul Moore, a real estate agent and broker in Virginia.
  • Contingencies: “If a buyer needs to sell their existing home and/or a seller needs to buy a new home, this could also delay the expected closing date,” says Colin T. McDonald at Re/Max Capital in Albany, NY.

How to speed up a closing

If you want to ensure your closing reaches the finish line in record time, here are things you can do to help.

  • Resolve title issues: Sellers should resolve any problems—such as a tax lien—regarding the title to the property, says Susan Naftulin, president of Rehab Financial Group. Provide the title company with copies of the satisfactions before the title search to avoid any red flags. If you haven’t satisfied the lien, informing the title company that you want it paid out of closing proceeds will keep the process moving along.

How Long Does It Take to Close on a House?

  • Address repairs: A home inspection usually generates a laundry list of repairs that need to be resolved before closing. While sellers can make the repairs, in general it’s much faster for them to just reduce the price or give the buyers a tax credit so they can make their repairs on their own time.
  • Communicate: Jack Matos, director of escrow operations at Palatine, IL–based Proper Title, says buyers with questions about the closing documents or walk-through concerns need to immediately inform their Realtor® or attorneys. “Any significant changes at this late hour will require new forms and review periods,” he says. All that said, don’t feel pressured to just rush through things without fully understanding them. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to take a breather and discuss whatever’s nagging you until you’re confident you can sign on the dotted line.
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10 Questions to Expect From Your Mortgage Lender

On January 23, 2015   /   Mortgage  
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By: Craig Donofrio

Your lender won’t put you in an interview room and demand answers, but completing a loan application can feel like an interrogation. But you’ll sweat only if you don’t know the answers to these 10 key questions:

1. Where’s your proof of income?

You should have proof of about two years’ worth of income at the ready. Come prepared with pay stubs, copies of checks, paid independent contractor invoices, and other documents that verify your employment. Be sure to disclose any other sources of income, including child support or alimony.

2. What are your assets?

Your lender wants to know about any cash reserves you have. A balanced investment portfolio demonstrates that your investment planning and goals aren’t solely pinned on a home value appreciation. They’re also resources that can be tapped in an emergency in case you need money for a mortgage payment.

3. What are your outstanding debts?

In general, the more debt you have the less likely you are to get a mortgage. More debt also means you’ll likely have to pay a higher interest rate on the money you borrow. The debt-to-income ratio limit on most mortgages is 43%.

The debt-to-income ratio measures how much of your gross (before taxes) income is used to pay housing costs, including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance (if applicable), and homeowners association fees (if applicable).

Other debt, including credit cards, student loans, and car loans, will also affect your debt-to-income ratio.

4. What’s your credit score?

You should already know this, because you should have already pulled your credit report and checked it. Before you approach a lender, get your credit score in the best shape possible by paying off debts and disputing any discrepancies on your report. Even if it takes extra time, it can save you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. Get your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

5. Now that you are about to close, how’s your credit again?

When it’s time to close, your lender will ensure you haven’t mucked up your credit or debt-to-income ratio. Your credit report will be pulled again to make sure you haven’t opened any new credit or added new debt.

From the moment you apply for a mortgage right up until closing, don’t take on any new debt.

6. How much do you have for a down payment?

The larger your down payment, the more you will convince a lender that you take homeownership seriously and won’t walk away when times get tough. Your down payment will also determine if you can qualify for a mortgage, how much money the lender will give you, and what interest rate you’ll receive.

7. How will you use this property?

Owning a home as the occupant comes with a different set of regulations, qualifying requirements, rates, terms, and risks. If you’re buying an investment property, let your lender know up front. To get you the right loan, your lender needs to know what you plan to do with the property.

8. Are you involved in a lawsuit?

A lawsuit involving a financial judgment could affect your financial position. If you’re in this boat, you’ll have to prove why the judgment won’t harm you financially.

9. What are the details of your divorce?

If you are recently divorced, your lender will want to know about it. The lender doesn’t need to know about any of the drama that led to a divorce, only how it affected you financially.

10. What is your ethnic background?

This question isn’t discriminatory. It’s in place for federal oversight, so the government can crack down on discriminatory lenders.

Updated from an earlier version by Broderick Perkins

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