View Properties In Person
Half of homeowners we surveyed in January 2019 said they thought ‘the feeling’ was extremely important when house-hunting
Youll inevitably spend plenty of time browsing Rightmove and Zoopla, but its important to view properties in person, as well as online.
Viewing homes in real life will give you a deeper understanding of their potential and youll be able to gauge whether they give you that indescribable feeling that you can’t really get from a screen.
When you find somewhere you like, its worth viewing it more than once, and at different times of the day, as youre more likely to notice potential problems.
- Plus: our guide to viewing a show home if you’re considering buying a property that hasn’t been built yet.
Fannie Mae Homeready Loans
Youll only need a 3% down payment to buy a home through the Fannie Mae HomeReady program. However, check the Fannie Mae lookup tool to make sure your income is within the income limits.
To qualify under Fannie Mae HomeReady guidelines youll need to:
- Have a credit score of at least 620
- Pay private mortgage insurance , which may be pricey if you have low credit scores
- Prove your DTI ratio is 45% or less, although a high credit score or cash reserves may allow up to 50%
- Buy a home that you plan to live in as your primary residence
Make An Offer On A House Or Flat
Its quite common to offer less than the asking price. But if other people are interested in the property, you may need to offer the asking price or more.
Looking at how much other, similar properties in the same neighbourhood have recently sold for will help you work out how much the property is worth. You can find this information on websites such as Zoopla and the Land Registry.
Once youve decided how much to offer, you can tell the estate agent over the phone or in person, but its worth putting it in writing too.
Mention any points that stand in your favour – for example, if youre a chain-free first-time buyer – and say that your offer is subject to a survey and the property being taken off the market. This can reduce the chances that you’ll be gazumped.
- Find out more: how much to offer on a house or flat
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You May Earn More Elsewhere
If current mortgage rates are lower than the average rate of return on the stock market, it may make more sense to invest your money rather than lock it up in a large purchase. Taking out a mortgage to buy a home is often compared to carrying a negative interest rate on your home loan. Conversely, by buying a home using 100% cash, you essentially lock in a rate of return equivalent to whatever current mortgage rate you could have taken out.
As a point of reference, the average return of the S& P 500 over the past 80 years was just over 9% per year. Compare this to the current average rate on a 30-year mortgage of approximately 4.2% as of the time of this writing, and it quickly becomes evident the potential investment earnings you might have foregone, assuming you took out a mortgage and invested the cash you would have spent on the house in a well-diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds.
Living La Vida Frugal
But wait, how can I live on $40,000 per year with taxes, rent and everything else I have to pay??? Glad you asked, here is a breakdown of what that would look like:
- Rent: $7,200/year
- Food: $3,000/year
- Utilities: $1,800/year
- Vehicles: $4,800/year
- Entertainment: $1,200/year
- Misc: $3,480/year
- Giving: $7,000/year
- Taxes: $7,440
- Total: $40,000
If you think that couples story is crazy, check out people that are living on even less:
- Jason and Danielle live on $14,000 per year.
- Jacob lives on $7,000 per year. Check out how at his site Early Retirement Extreme.
Now, no one said its going to be easy to live a super frugal life. Youll have to find free things to do on nights and weekends.
You will also have to work hard to save money on groceries.
Also, youll have to find somewhere to live for cheap.
A $600 rent payment is a lofty goal especially in geographical areas like the East or West coasts. You might have to room in someones basement or pay rent to the bank of mom and dad for a time.
But in the end, we think youll find its worth the sacrifice.
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What Is Stamp Duty And Who Has To Pay It
STAMP duty is a land tax paid by buyers on property that costs more than £125,000.
There are different rates of tax depending on the portion of the propertys value.
These are the current rates set by the government:
- 0 per cent – Up to £125,000
- 2 per cent – Over £125,000 and under £250,000
- 5 per cent – Over £250,000 and under £925,000
- 10 per cent – Over £925,000 and under £1,500,000
- 12 per cent – Over £1,500,000
Since November 2017, first-time buyers dont have to pay stamp duty on the first £300,000 of their home.
You will then have to pay the normal rate of tax on anything above this threshold.
How does stamp duty work for shared ownership?
First-time buyers who bought through the shared ownership scheme dont have to pay the tax on property worth under £500,000.
If youre buying a property worth more than £500,000 then you will have to pay the normal rates.
You also dont have to pay the duty on any shared ownership transactions that are worth less than 80 per cent of the property.
But if you staircase to an amount that takes you over 80 per cent, then youll have to pay the tax on the entire portion you pay to take you over the threshold.
For example, if you have a £400,000 home and want to buy a 25 per cent share, you wont have to pay any stamp duty.
If you increase the share to 75 per cent by paying another £200,000, you still wont have to pay any stamp duty.
Rent is calculated based on the rental value of similar homes in the area with your deposit deducted.
Should You Get A Mortgage With No Down Payment
A no down payment mortgage sounds like a great idea, especially if youre currently giving away a large chunk of your income to rent an apartment while trying to save so you can purchase your first home. But before youre seduced by the idea you need to decide whether or not this financing option is the best strategy for you at this point in your life. There are a few conditions that should be met before you should consider a no down payment home loan:
- A stable income
- Being able to afford both a monthly mortgage payment and other life expenses
- Being able to financially handle a decrease or loss of income
If all of these conditions describe your current financial situation then a no down payment mortgage is, in fact, a good idea and you could potentially seriously benefit from it, just remember that while you might think you can handle it a lender still needs to decide whether or not they agree.
Unfortunately, if none of the above conditions describes you and your current financial situation then a no down payment mortgage is definitely not a good idea for you right now, we suggest you continue to save while rethinking your current spending and saving strategies.
Find out if you should buy or rent?
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Buying A Home Might Be More Affordable Than You Think
When you buy a house with low income, you might face several obstacles.
Its not easy to save for a down payment while renting. And you might have a harder time keeping your debt-to-income ratio and credit score pristine.
Fortunately, there are private and government-backed programs to help low-income families and individuals break into homeownership.
Chances are, you qualify for at least one of them.
Faster Closings And Lower Closing Costs
Paying cash for a home also means less spent on closing costs and faster closings. New York City-based real estate broker Joseph Fan explains that “…buying with cash may mean less headache you call the shots, and you dont need to worry about the lenders rules. Buyers paying in cash can avoid a number of fees associated with a loan, such as origination fees, underwriting, mortgage insurance premiums and credit report fees, which can result in thousands of dollars of added expenses.
Another advantage is how quickly you can close on a home when youre making a cash offer. When making an offer, the words all cash have a lot of power, Fan said. An all-cash deal that is lower than the asking price might be able to win out against an above-asking traditional mortgage bid, especially if the latter deal is contingent on financing. Your credit score or citizenship status doesnt really matter much once you are an all-cash buyer.
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Faqs About Down Payments
Are zero-down mortgages a good idea? If you have a stable job and income and extra rainy day money in the bank, a zero-down mortgage may be a good way to get your feet wet in homeownership.
What is the minimum down payment for a mortgage? No down payment is required for VA, USDA and doctor loan programs detailed above.
What credit score do I need to buy a house with no money down? No-down-payment lenders usually set 620 as the lowest . You can boost your credit score by keeping your revolving charge card balances to a minimum and paying all your bills on time.
How do I find down payment assistance programs in my area? Check with local or state housing authorities or local housing nonprofits to learn about homebuying assistance in your area.
Can I use a gift for my down payment or closing costs? All the low-down-payment loan programs outlined above allow for gifts for your down payment, plus closing costs up to a set limit. Check with your employer to see if they offer any homebuying benefits.
Do you have to put 20% down on a conventional loan? No. However, a 20% down payment will help you avoid PMI on a conventional loan, and borrowing less means your monthly payment will be lower.
How can I get money for a down payment on a house? Setting up a down payment fund, using a savings app and setting aside tax refunds, bonuses and commission income over time or getting a side hustle for extra down payment income are just a few ways you can save for a down payment.
What Are Joint Ventures
Another strategy is using something called property joint ventures. This is another strategy that doesn’t require mortgage finance and it’s entirely flexible and non-dependent on your age and experience. It is simply a case of finding and partnering with an investor who is willing to fund your buy to let investments.
I’ve included a few links below that will give you more information on this process.
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Making A Complaint About A Mortgage Lender
If you want to complain about a mortgage lender or broker, you should first discuss the problem with them, and then consider making a formal complaint. If you think the mortgage lender or broker has discriminated against you, you can complain about this as well. Each lender or broker should have its own internal complaints procedure. If you have followed this procedure and are still not satisfied, you can take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The contact details are:-
Financial Ombudsman ServiceLondonE14 9SRConsumer helpline: 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123 Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Manufactured And Mobile Homes
Manufactured housing is some of the most affordable around. Homes on approved foundations and taxed as real estate can be financed with many mainstream mortgage programs.
Many programs require slightly higher down payments or more restrictive terms for manufactured homes.
HomeReady, for example, increases the minimum down payment from 3% to 5% if you finance a manufactured home.
Mobile homes that are not classified as real estate can be purchased with personal loans like FHAs Title 2 program. These are not mortgages, because the homes are not considered real estate.
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Why You Should Consider Paying Cash For A House
One of the primary reasons to pay cash for a house is owning the home outright. There are fewer fears of foreclosure if you dont owe a lender , and you also dont have to worry about defaulting on a home loan which could negatively impact your credit. Owning the home outright also means you have the right to borrow against the 100% in equity you have in your home if needed.
Do No Down Payment Mortgages Really Exist
Purchasing a home with no down payment saved doesnt mean that you dont have to make a down payment it simply means that youre not using your own hard-earned and saved cash to pay for the down payment. It means youre going to borrow your down payment , which in return means youre taking on even more debt. This is why its important that youre in good financial standing before you take on even more debt than is technically necessary.
Loans Canada Lookout
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What Are Todays Mortgage Rates For Low
Good news: many low-income mortgage programs have lower interest rates than standard mortgage loans. So you could stand to get a great deal.
However, even government-backed loan rates are not set by the government. You have to get quotes from several lenders and then choose your best deal.
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Step by Step Guide
Should You Buy A House With Cash
If youre considering buying a house with cash, you might first consider consulting with a financial advisor or tax professional who can look at your individual situation and give you an idea of how that might affect your finances.
Some things to think about include the opportunity cost, how much liquidity you require in your financial portfolio and what the tax benefits and consequences might be.
Learn about the types of mortgages available and more on the Rocket Mortgage®Learning Center.
Get approved to buy a home.
Rocket Mortgage® lets you get to house hunting sooner.
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Final Thoughts On Buying A House Without A Mortgage
Although each of these alternatives to buying a home with a mortgage has some downsides, if you choose one of these routes you can make it happen. It will take some time and perseverance, but it is certainly possible to buy a home without a huge pile of cash or a mortgage loan. Decide what option is best for you and find out what steps you need to take. Set your financial goals and then make them a reality.
If youre interested in improving your credit, read 5 Easy Tips To Raise Your Credit Score.
Financial freedom begins with good habits.
Rebecca & Tiago, theloadedpig.com
No Recourse To The Seller
Caveat Emptorcaveat emptoraftertreat the process as if you were getting a mortgagebe led by your conveyancing solicitor as to best practice when buying a property0333 344 3234Andrew Boast MAAT MICAndrew has been working in the legal sector since 2000 and has helped thousands of buyers successfully buy their property. He excels in handling complex conveyancing issues and can help you with his expert knowledge of best practice conveyancing strategy.
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Cash Or Mortgage: Which One Is More Beneficial
Buying an investment property with cash obviously sounds more logical than a mortgage, considering the complications that can arise when youre in debt.
However, it may be difficult to sustain a living if you dont have funds put aside beforehand.
Taking out a mortgage lets you enjoy the luxury of owning your own property and still having money to draw out if you need it!
How Much Can I Borrow
Depending on your situation, you may be able to borrow:
- : When youre borrowing up to 85% of the purchase price, you may be able to qualify for interest rate discounts and waived .
- : Although many banks have limited the number of 90% loans they approve, you may still be able to borrow the amount with the help of a non-bank lender.
- : Borrowing 95% LVR for an investment property is normally suitable for people in a strong financial situation.
- : You may be able to qualify for 97% LVR if you apply with a specialist lender. A 97% investment loan allows you to capitalise the cost of LMI on your loan, potentially saving thousands of dollars in upfront costs.
Call us on 1300 889 743 or complete our to speak with our brokers about applying for a mortgage today.
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