EUREKA GOLD REAL ESTATE 2285 Benton Road, Suite D201 Bossier City, LA 71111 318-752-5888 Fax: 318-678-8295 teamtheriac@msn.com
INFORMATION FOR THE WEEK
BUYING YOUR HOME - ARE YOU READY?
One of the keys to making the homebuying process easier and more understandable is planning. In doing so, you will be able to anticipate requests from lenders, lawyers and a host of other professionals. Furthermore, planning will help you discover valuable shortcuts in the homebuying process.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT?
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or entering the market place as a repeat buyer, you need to ask why you want to buy. Are you planning to move to a new community due to a lifestyle change or is buying an option and not a requirement? What would you like in terms of real estate that you do not have now? Do you have a purchasing time frame?
Whatever your answers, the more you know about the real estate marketplace, the more likely you are to effectively define your goals. As an interesting exercise, it can be worthwhile to look at the questions above and to then to discuss them in detail when meeting with local REALTORS®.
DO YOU HAVE THE MONEY?
Homes and financing are closely intertwined. (Financing is the difference between the purchase price and the downpayment, commonly referred to as debt or the mortgage.) The good news is that over the years new and innovative loan programs have evolved which require a 5% downpayment or less. In fact, a number of programs now allow purchasers to buy real estate with nothing down.
In additin to a down payment, purchasers also need cash for closing costs (the final costs associated with closing the loan). Several new emerging programs not only allow the purchase of a home with no money down, but also underwrite closing costs.
Not everyone, however, elects to purchase with little or no money down. Less money down means higher monthly mortgage payments, so most homebuyers choose to buy with some cash up front.
As to closing costs, in markets where buyers have leverage, it may be possible to negotiate an offer for a home that requires the owner to pay some or all of your settlement expenses. Speak with local REALTORS® for details.
IS YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER?
Those great loans with little or nothing down are not available to everyone: You need good credit. For at least one year prior to purchasing a home, you should assure that every credit card bill, rent check, car payment or any other debt is paid in full and on time.
This tip published on August 17, 2011.
Check out this page next week for more important information.
