Best Finance Network
Get the best connectivity about finance.

Many people want to purchase a home, but also have a difficult time coming up with the down payment. While income may be good, everyday and monthly living expenses make it almost impossible to save the amount of funds that are necessary to obtain a mortgage. However, when searching for down payment options for a home purchase, they may find that it is actually possible.

1. Conventional mortgages require a down payment of 20% which can be a large sum of money for the first time home buyer to save. There is a minimum down payment requirement of 5 to 10% which will depend on the individual lender. Any amount below 20% will require that the borrower pay private mortgage insurance along with the monthly mortgage payment. With a conventional loan, putting the most down as possible is important because it will result in a better loan and lower mortgage rate.

2. Government loans offer better options when it comes to down payments. FHA loans require a low 3.5% down payment with a minimum credit score of 620 and maximum debt to income ratio of 43% for automated underwriting. In addition, FHA offers borrowers many other benefits, such as 6% seller concessions. These loans are also assumable which means they can be assumed by the buyer, who must be approved, when the borrower decides to sell the home. FHA loans also have an upfront mortgage insurance premium paid at closing and an annual mortgage insurance premium that must be paid for the life of the loan or until the loan is refinanced with a conventional or other type of loan.

3. VA loans have no minimum down payment requirement. In fact, most VA loan borrowers use this as a means of 100% financing. However, a borrower must be eligible according to VA guidelines. VA loans do have a one time VA funding fee.

4. FHA mortgages offer sweat equity loans which allow a borrower to perform their own work in lieu of a portion of the down payment.

5. FHA mortgages also offer bridal registry loans which allows others to deposit funds to a bridal registry that will be used to fund the down payment of the mortgage.

6. Gifts are an acceptable part of obtaining a mortgage and are often used with FHA loans. However, gifts must meet the program’s guidelines for approval. The gift can be from family, friends and even employers. There are specific rules that must be followed regarding proof, sourcing and transfer of funds.

7. Many states, counties and cities offer housing initiatives to assist with the down payment for first time home buyers. These funds are usually in the form of low interest loans or bonds. Each one has its own guidelines for repayment with some having no repayment as long as the borrower remains in the home.

8. Some employers offer down payment assistance as a benefit after the employee has worked a certain period of time.

9. For second homes or investment properties, some borrowers will use the equity that is available in their primary residence for the down payment.

While saving the down payment funds for a home purchase can take some time, home buyers should keep up to date with what additional avenues of assistance are available to them. Since most down payment assistance programs are refunded on a regular basis, borrowers should keep in touch with the latest updates in their area or state. It is also not unusual for new local programs to crop up unexpectedly. The important thing is to keep saving, keep looking and not give up.

Investing in property has always been considered a safe and good long term investment. Investors consider investing in property as a safe bet. With a little planning and research, buying an apartment off the plan usually turns out to be a good investment. But there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of before investing in this venture.

Benefits

Initial price:
You get the benefit of buying the apartment right of the drawing board. You pay the current price and not the price it’s expected to escalate to after completion. It’s very rare that an apartment bought of the plan does not increase in value.

Low capital outlay:
You just need to pay a maximum 10% of the agreed price to secure the apartment. This gives you enough time to plan your finances and arrange future payments.

Stamp duty saving:
Some state governments of Australia offer reduction in stamp duties and bonuses for buying off the plan. You can easily save thousands of dollars.

Choice of apartment:
Property developers give you a choice when buying off the plan. This means you get to choose an apartment with a garden, or one with the best view. You can also choose the interior, color of walls; fittings, etc.

Builders guarantee:
Brand new property in Australia has a 7 year builder’s guarantee. So you don’t have to worry about any structural or interior fault that might occur, as this will be fixed at no cost to the owner.

Increase in value:
Apartments tend to go up in value once they are completed and people start moving in. If the apartment building is in a good location, and well constructed the price is bound to increase. That’s when you can decide whether you want to hold on to it or put it up for sale.

Risks

Drop in property market:
Investing in any form always has a risk associated with it. The fear of a sudden drop in prices is one of the biggest fears that haunt investors.

Rising interest rates:
Interest rates might rise when the property is completed as the time lag between buying and the apartment being ready can vary between 6 months and 2 years.

Bankruptcy:
The developer may declare bankruptcy anywhere during the construction phase of the project. You must ensure that your risk is covered in case this happens. Get a solicitor to review the agreement to ensure that you are protected.

Not up to the mark:
What you envision and what you get can differ. This can happen if you are not very good at visualizing what to expect by looking at drawings. Or the developer fails to meet the standards of construction that you were expecting.

Before you sign the agreement

These are some steps that you must take before signing on the dotted line and handing over the check.

· Check out the developer’s reputation; financial position, and history.

· Scrutinize the plans; model, interior finishing, fittings, and fixtures.

· Visit the proposed site area and see if there are any other buildings coming up in the area.

· Research the property market in the area. Get to know current and future property trends of the area.

Mortgage lenders are definitely making it harder for you to obtain a mortgage.
Especially when compared to the boom years when criteria was probably too
relaxed. It is a hard market to research at the moment because lenders are
constantly moving their goal posts as to what is required to obtain a mortgage.

One of the big changes in the market is that lenders are requiring large deposits
to allow you to go onto an interest only mortgage. Historically interest only
mortgages were available to everyone disregarding deposit levels however over the years this has changed. Over the last couple of years it has been pretty
standard for a 25% deposit to be required to go onto interest only however
these levels have increased by some lenders to 50%.

A repayment mortgage will guarantee that the mortgage is paid off by the end
of the term however an interest only mortgage is only paying the interest so at
the end of the term the mortgage amount owed will still be the same. This is a
big concern for mortgage lenders as at the end of the loan they will want the
mortgage to be repaid and is one of the reasons why there has been a reduction
in interest only mortgages.

To take out an interest only mortgage you have to prove that you have a
method to repay the mortgage through an alternative investment vehicle
such as an ISA. These checks are also becoming stricter to ensure that your
investment vehicle is realistically going to be able to pay off the mortgage.

This is just one way in which finding the right mortgage has become more
complicated due to the changes in criteria. There are also many other factors
such as employment status, proof of income, affordability and credit status.

It is wise to get advise if you have any doubt about whether or not you are
applying for the right mortgage because a mortgage broker can ensure that you
are not wasting your time and credit checks applying for a mortgage that you
may not be able to obtain. They can also ensure that you are getting the best
deal on the mortgage market.

Owning a home can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience. Many Americans are determined to secure their finances in order to achieve their dreams and become homeowners. There are several steps prospective homeowners can take in order to make sure they are ready to make that life-changing decision.

Firstly, prospective homeowners should do research into the housing market, the location of interest, and determine what time of house and property would best suit their needs. Additionally, homeowners should determine if they are financially prepared to cover the costs of purchasing a house. Another important step before purchasing is to have a full inspection of the house. This step is expensive and can be saved for serious home buying considerations. However, there are several warning signs homeowners should keep an eye out for while they are searching for their dream home.

1. State of the Neighborhood – Potential home buyers should take a glance at the houses that surround the house of interest. They should take note of the curb appeal of other houses, the state of their upkeep, and even if there are a large number of other homes for sale nearby. It is also possible to research the amount of local crime reports in the neighborhood. It doesn’t hurt to contact the neighbors on the street to get their impressions of the neighborhood also.

2. Odor Problems – While walking through the interior and around the exterior of the house, buyers should take note of any strange odors they may come across. Smoke and pet odors are removable over time, but can take quite a bit of effort. If the house smells of mold, there is a chance of potential water damage. Additionally, if the house is covered with air fresheners, the seller may be trying to trick the buyer by covering up any lingering odors.

3. Ceiling Stains- If there are water stains on the ceiling, there is clear evidence that something may be leaking and causing water damage. This is a potential red flag for bathroom plumbing issues. The bathtub may require recaulking, pipes may need to be replaced, or the tiling may require repairs. Either way, this is a potentially expensive undertaking if it is not caught before purchasing the house.

4. Faulty Wiring- When inspecting the inside of a house, buyers should test each and every light switch and outlet to make sure they are in working order. Faulty electrical facilities can be extremely expensive to repair. Wiring problems are hazardous and can cause fires and electrocution.

5. Foundation Problems- When checking out the basement and the exterior of the house, buyers should take note of any sloping, bowing, or slanting in the ground and yard. Cracks at the base of the house are clear indicators of foundation problems and can cause water runoff to flow into the basement.

Here at Sell or Yell we can help. We offer a fast cash buy service that allows you to sell your property quickly and in your own specific time scale. There are many reasons why you might need to sell your house quickly. You might need to release equity in your house to buy another property or pay off debts. Perhaps you are facing financial difficulties and need cash quickly to avoid house repossession and eviction. Whatever your circumstances we are dedicated to offering you a solution.

The current economic climate means that an increasing number of people are struggling to keep up with mortgage repayments and are facing property repossession. If this is you don’t panic, we are here to help. At Sell or Yell we specialize in quick cash property sales. We are committed to working within your personal time frame and providing you with a solution. If you are being threatened with eviction or repossession we will help you to find alternative accommodation giving you peace of mind that you will have somewhere to live at this difficult and frightening time. House repossession is something that is becoming a reality for more and more of us and our professional team at Sell or Yell are experienced in dealing with clients facing repossession and understand the urgency required.

At Sell or Yell our quick house sale service means you avoid all of the associated delays and volatility associated with the current housing market. House sales can be arranged in a matter of days and all of our services are tailored towards your own individual needs including our Sell with Rent Options scheme which involves finding you alternative accommodation after your house sale.