Blog – CTeBockhorst's Blog

Exploring Homebuyer Assistance Programs: Assessing the Options Available

April 26, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Exploring Homebuyer Assistance Programs: Assessing the Options Available The traditional rule of thumb is that you should put down 20 percent of the cost of the house if you decide to become a homeowner. Unfortunately, the thought of saving 20 percent of the price of a home for a down payment can be daunting for people who are trying to buy a house for the first time. If you purchase a house worth $250,000, this means that you would have to save up $50,000 to put down. Fortunately, there are multiple down payment assistance programs that can make it easier for people to afford a home.

The Traditional First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs

If you are purchasing a home for the first time, you might be able to purchase a house for as little as 3.5 percent down. This comes in the form of an FHA loan. Even though there is a chance you might be asked to pay private mortgage insurance, the idea of putting 3.5 percent down immediately makes a house look more affordable.

Programs For Repeat Homebuyers

Even though there are plenty of programs available for first-time home buyers, there are options available for repeat home buyers as well. For example, between 35 and 40 percent of all down payment assistance programs have been designed for repeat home buyers. This means that regardless of where you are at on your journey, there might be programs that can make it easier for you to afford a home.

Programs Are Available For Public Servants

If you work in a service profession, there might be programs specifically designed to help you afford a home. For example, there is a specific program called Teacher Next Door that makes it easier for teachers to afford a home. If you are a first responder, veteran, or active-duty soldier, there are specific programs designed to make it easier for you to afford a home as well.

Explore All Options Available

Ultimately, these are just a few of the many examples of programs that are available that can make it easier for you to afford a home. Even if you do not have the money to put down 20 percent, there are programs that could make it easier for you to purchase a house.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 25, 2022

April 25, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - April 25, 2022 Last week’s economic reporting included the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, government readings on housing starts and building permits, and data on sales of previously-owned homes. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Conditions Slips by Two Points

Homebuilder confidence fell by two points to an index reading of 77 in April and was the lowest reading since September. Analysts expected this dip as mortgage rates and building materials costs continued to rise. Index readings over 50 indicate that most builders have positive views of housing market conditions. Index readings haven’t fallen below 50 since the beginning of the pandemic in April and May of 2020.

Robert Dietz, the chief economist for the NAHB, said: “The housing market faces an inflection point as an unexpectedly quick rise in interest rates, rising home prices, and escalating materials costs have significantly decreased housing affordability conditions, particularly in the crucial entry-level market.”

Analysts viewed the combined impact of rising home prices and mortgage rates as obstacles to affordability that would disproportionately affect first-time and moderate-income homebuyers.

Building permits held steady in March with 1.87 million permits issued at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace; analysts expected a reading of 1.82 million building permits issued. Likewise, housing starts were unchanged in March from February’s seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 1.79 million housing starts. Analysts predicted a reading of 1.73 million housing starts.

The National Association of Realtors® reported a slower pace of sales for previously-owned homes in March.5.77 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual pace as compared to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.93 million previously-owned homes sold in February. Rising mortgage rates and home prices sidelined some first-time and moderate-income buyers and caused sales of previously-owned homes to fall.

Mortgage Rates Rise, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages surpassed five percent last week at 5.11 percent. The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by 21 basis points to 4.38 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by six basis points on average to 3.75 percent. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

Initial jobless claims fell last week with 184,000 first-time claims filed as compared to 186,000 initial claims filed in the previous week. Continuing jobless claims were also lower with 1.42 million claims filed last week as compared to the prior week’s reading of 1.45 million continuing jobless claims filed.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include readings on home prices, new and pending home sales, and reports on inflation and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.

What To Think About Before Investing In Real Estate

April 21, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What To Think About Before Investing In Real Estate Do you want to invest in real estate? If you are buying property as a real estate investor, there are a number of important factors to consider. Take a look at some of the most important factors to think about before you decide to sign your closing papers.

Location, Location, Location

Just as with your primary residence, it is important to think about the location of your investment property. Location is the most important factor in the value of just about every property, and your investment property is no different. You need to think about the proximity of your property to amenities, the safety of the area, and its proximity to major highways and interstates. Pay close attention to what property values in the local area have done recently, as this could give you an idea of what to expect moving forward.

Your Investment Horizon

How quickly do you need access to the money? You may think that the property is going to go up in value, but this is an unrealized gain until you decide to sell it. How long can you wait before you sell the property? Do you want to purchase the property and lease it out to long-term renters, rent it out to short-term renters, or simply repair the house and flip it for a profit? Different properties are better for different situations, so think about your investment horizon before you purchase a property.

Expected Cash Flow

As a property owner, you still have to cover the overhead expenses. This includes your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, and real estate taxes. Therefore, make sure you understand how much rental income you can generate if you decide to purchase that property. Keep in mind that you may have some tax deductions you can claim as a rental property owner that might make these overhead expenses a bit more affordable.

Find The Right Property For Real Estate Investing

These are just a few of the many factors you need to think about if you are looking for real estate investment opportunities. The right property for one person is not necessarily the right property for someone else. Think about these key points before you decide which property you want to buy.

A Checklist Of Documents You Need To Refinance Your Mortgage

April 20, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

A Checklist Of Documents You Need To Refinance Your Mortgage If you want to save money on your mortgage, you might think about refinancing. Before you can complete the refinancing process, there are several documents you need to have. Make sure you have all of these documents organized before you go through the refinancing process.

Basic Personal Information

You need to have documents that prove your basic personal information. This includes your name, current address, and phone number. There are plenty of documents you can use to prove this information, and your current lender probably already has this on file if you are using the same lender to go through the refinancing process.

Income and Debt Documents

You also need to have documents that verify all of your current income or debt. If you are a wage-earner, you should have at least one recent pay stub. You should also have tax returns and W2 forms from the past two years.

Make sure you have recent asset or bank statements as well. This could include retirement accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, and investment accounts. You will probably need the most recent quarterly statement for monthly statements going back at least two months.

Any Additional Letters and Documents

There are several other letters or documents you might need as well. If you receive alimony payments or child support, you will need to have divorce decrees verifying this information.

If there are any questions about your credit history or gaps in your employment, you will need to have letters explaining these issues. That way, the lender will be reassured that you can repay the home loan. If you receive pension payments or social security payments, you should have an award letter specifying the size of the payments and how long they are going to be paid.

You also need to have a deed showing that you are the rightful owner of the home and a document showing that you have an active homeowners insurance policy with appropriate coverage.

Get Your Documents Organized for the Refinancing Process

Once you have all of these documents, you should be ready for the refinancing process. You should work with a professional who can walk you through this process from start to finish.

Til’ Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Poor Credit Score

April 19, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Til' Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Terrible Credit Score A poor credit history is a reality for many people, but it can be particularly daunting when it comes to investing in a house. Fortunately, if 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 take a look at their credit report and broach it honestly, but it’s important to come to terms with the problem so that it can be fixed. Instead of ignoring it, get a copy of the credit report and review it for any errors so that you can update these if needed and be aware of the issues impacting your credit score. While there may not be any inaccuracies on the report, knowing what you’re dealing with will give you a point to start from.

Make Your Payments

At some point, most people have missed a credit card or bill payment, but the first step involved in improving your finances and your credit is ensuring your spouse is paying their bills on time. While this won’t require paying the complete balance each month, it’s important to pay the minimum balance before the due date, and stick with it! It may seem like a small step, but over time it will improve credit and say a lot to mortgage lenders!

Save Up For Down Payment

20% is the amount that’s often suggested when it comes to a down payment, but if your spouse has terrible credit, it may be worth your while to save up more. It goes without saying that having good credit for both yourself and your spouse is important in getting approved for a mortgage, but by having extra for your down payment and paying your bills on time, you may be successful at convincing lenders you’re a solid bet.

It can be a lot more difficult to get your mortgage approved if your spouse has bad credit, but there are steps you can take to improve your financial outlook and give lenders a better impression. If you’re planning on investing in a home in the near future, contact your trusted mortgage professionals for more information.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - April 18, 2022 Last week’s economic reporting included readings on monthly and year-over-year inflation and the preliminary reading on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Gas Prices Drive High Inflation in March

Consumers felt near-record pain at the pump in March as gas prices continued to rise. Month-to-month inflation increased by 1.20 percent in March as compared to February’s month-to-month inflation rate of 0.80 percent. Analysts expected inflation to rise by 1.10 percent in March. The extent of rapidly rising gasoline prices on inflation is evident when comparing readings for the Consumer Price Index and the Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes food and fuel prices. The month-to-month Core Consumer Price Index reading for March was 0.30 percent; analysts predicted a reading of 0.50 percent growth, which matched February’s reading.

Year-over-year Consumer Price Index readings showed 8.50 percent inflation, which exceeded the expected reading of 8.40 percent, and February’s year-over-year reading of 7.90 percent growth in inflation. The year-over-year core Consumer Price Index rose to 6.50 percent in March and matched analyst expectations based on February’s year-over-year core inflation reading of 6.40 percent.

Mortgage Rates, New Jobless Claim Rise

Freddie Mac reported the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by 28 basis points to 5.00 percent last week; rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.17 percent and were 26 basis points higher on average. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.16 percent and averaged 13 basis points higher than in the previous week. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, and 0.90 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.30 percent.

First-time jobless claims rose to 185,000 new claims filed, which surpassed expectations of 172,000 new claims filed and the previous week’s reading of 167,000 new jobless claims filed. 1.48 million ongoing jobless claims were filed as compared to the previous week’s reading of 1.52 continuing jobless claims filed.

The University of Michigan released its Consumer Sentiment Index for April with an index reading of 65.7 as compared to the expected index reading of 64.1 and the March index reading of 59.4.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reporting includes readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing markets, federal government readings on housing starts, and building permits issued. Weekly reporting on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

How to Calculate Your True Cost of Living and Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

April 15, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

How to Calculate Your True Cost of Living and Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford A monthly mortgage can seem like enough of a financial responsibility on its own, but there are many factors involved in home ownership that affect its fiscal feasibility. If you’re in the market for a house and are wondering how your income will stack up against the rest of your expenses, here’s how to determine a home cost that’s reasonable for you.

Determine Your Down Payment

Before you start with anything else, you’ll want to determine the amount of money you can put down so you can estimate your monthly payments. The traditional amount for a down payment is 20% of the home’s purchase price, so if you don’t have anything close to this amount it might be worth waiting a little longer so you can minimize your payments and the amount of interest or mortgage insurance you’ll be paying in the long run. Each person’s situation is different, and there may be programs available with less than 20% down. This is an excellent question to pose to your trusted mortgage advisor.

Calculate Your Monthly Budget

If your mortgage cost already seems high, it will definitely be worth carefully calculating your monthly expenditures. Instead of a wild guess, take the time to sit down and calculate what your costs are including food, utilities, transportation and any other monthly necessities. Once you do this, it’s also very important to add any debt repayments you’re making to the mix. The total amount of your estimated mortgage costs, debt payments and living expenses should give you a pretty good sense of if your mortgage is viable in the long term.

Don’t Forget About The Extras

When it comes to purchasing a home, many people envision that they will be eating and sleeping their new home so don’t pay attention to all of the additional costs that can arise with living life. A new home is certainly an exciting, worthwhile financial venture, but ensure you’re realistic about what it entails. If you’re planning to go back to school or have children in the future, you’ll want to add a little bit of extra cushion in your budget so that you don’t have to put your other dreams on hold for the sake of your ideal home.

It can be very exciting to find a home you feel good about, but it’s important before making an offer to realize the amount of house you can afford so you don’t find yourself in a hole down the road. If you’re currently on the market for a new home, contact your trusted mortgage professional for a personal consultation.

Common Fees During Refinancing

April 14, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Common Fees During Refinancing As interest rates fluctuate, you might think about refinancing your mortgage. This is the cost of taking out a new home loan to replace the one you currently have. If you get a significantly lower interest rate, you could save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage. On the other hand, you need to think about potential expenses you might incur during the refinancing process. Because you are taking out another home loan, you may need to pay closing costs a second time. What are some of the most common expenses you might have to pay?

The Mortgage Application Fee

One of the most common expenses is the mortgage application fee. Essentially, this is a fee that the lender will charge for opening up a new application on your behalf. The fee can vary significantly depending on the lender you use, but it is usually a few hundred dollars.

A Home Appraisal

When you took out your first mortgage, the lender probably required you to get your home appraised. The lender wants to make sure they are not financing a home that is not worth as much as its price tag. You still need to get your home appraised again if you decide to refinance your mortgage. The lender wants to make sure they understand how much the house is worth before they give you a loan for it. A typical home appraisal is also a few hundred dollars.

Title Search And Title Insurance

The lender might also require a title search and title insurance. This is important for making sure you protect yourself in the event someone else still holds the title to your house. A title search is usually a few hundred dollars, and title insurance could be $1,000 or more.

Loan Origination Fee

Most lenders charge a loan origination fee that is approximately one percent of the value of the loan. Again, this can vary from lender to lender as well.

Understand These Fees

There are lots of potential fees that a lender might tack on. Fortunately, you do not necessarily need to pay for all of them. Always ask the lender whether they might be willing to waive some of these fees to make the cost less expensive.

Taxes And A Cash-Out Refinance: What To Know

April 13, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Taxes And A Cash-Out Refinance: What To Know If you decide to go through the refinancing process, there are several options available. One of the most popular options is a cash-out refinance. Essentially, you capitalize on the difference between current interest rates and the interest rate on your home loan to keep your payments the same while also drawing equity out of your home in the form of cash. You can use this money to fund your retirement, complete home repairs, or do a renovation project. Even though you can do just about anything you want with this cash, what do you need to know about a cash-out refinance and taxes?

You Do Not Have To Pay Taxes On Your Cash-Out Refinance

You don’t have to pay taxes on the cash stemming from a cash-out refinance. The IRS generally looks at this money as a loan that you will be expected to pay back. Therefore, you don’t have to report it on your taxes. On the other hand, there are other implications you need to know.

The Interest On Your Mortgage Is Tax-Deductible

One of the biggest tax deductions you might claim is the interest on your mortgage. If you want to claim your mortgage interest as a tax deduction, you will need to itemize your deductions on Schedule A. Furthermore, there is a limit to the amount of mortgage interest you can claim on your tax forms. If you have questions about how to handle your mortgage interest on your taxes, you should talk to a tax professional or an attorney who can help you.

Consider Setting Up A Home Office

You might even want to use the money from your cash-out refinance to build a home office. If you are self-employed and working from home, you might be able to deduct the expenses related to your home office. Again, you need to be familiar with the requirements related to your home office if you want to claim this deduction. A tax professional can help you.

Be Aware Of The Implications Of Refinancing And Taxes

These are a few of the most important points you should keep in mind regarding taxes and the refinancing process. Reach out to a tax professional with any questions.

Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio: What It Means

April 12, 2022 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio: What It Means If you are looking for a home, you might need to finance it using a lender, such as a bank or a credit union. There are a number of factors that will influence whether your mortgage application is approved. Then, these same factors will play a role in the terms the lender might offer you. One of the most important factors is called the debt to income ratio, or DTI. It is important to understand how this will impact your mortgage application.

What Is A Debt To Income Ratio?

Your DTI is important to the lender because this allows the lender to figure out the likelihood of you paying your mortgage on time. The less debt you have, the more financial stability you have to pay a potential mortgage.

To calculate your debt to income ratio, you need to calculate all the bills you have for the upcoming month. For example, if you have rent and a car payment, you add these numbers together. Then, you divide this number by your gross monthly income. If your rent is $900 and your car payment is $200, your total debt is $1100. Then, if you earn $3300, divide $1100 by $3300. This is about 33 percent.

Student Loan Debt Is A Driving Factor

With many members of the younger generation getting ready to purchase a house, it is important to understand the impact of student loan payments. Because a lot of potential home borrowers have student loans to pay back, their debt-to-income ratios will be significantly higher. This could make it harder for younger borrowers to get qualified for a mortgage, particularly one with favorable terms.

How To Improve Your Mortgage Application

Before you apply for a home loan, you should try to improve your debt to income ratio by paying down your existing bills. For example, if you have credit card debt, this will be included in your debt to income ratio. Try to pay this off before you apply for a mortgage. You should try to pay down your student loans as much as possible before applying for a mortgage as well. The less debt you carry, the more likely your mortgage application will be approved.

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