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Questions
for first-time home buyers:
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What can I
afford to
buy?
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Each buyer
is unique — and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. Your
income
and your debts will typically play the biggest roles in determining
your
price range. It's simple to make an estimate, just run the numbers for
yourself using our Affordability
Calculator.
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Do I have
enough money to buy my first home?
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We offer
a range of mortgage programs, and we'll help you determine which can
work
for you — some of our loans require little money down. You'll also need
to consider closing costs and the escrow account for taxes and
insurance.
But don't get overwhelmed: it's a snap to figure out how much money
you'll
need, using our handy Affordability
Calculator.
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What about
my less-than-perfect credit report?
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Our special
solutions program can help:
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We offer loan options
ideal for those
who have a few "dings" on their credit report.
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We try to work with every
customer to develop an individual mortgage program - we call it your
personalized rate, because no two are alike.
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So we try to develop a
custom program
based on your credit worthiness.
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What's the
best loan
program for me?
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That depends
on a number of factors, including:
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How long you'll stay in
the home;
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How much money you'll put
down;
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How you'll finance the
closing costs.
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We will provide a
free mortgage consultation and present you with several options.
We will help you determine which loan program is the best one for your
personal situation.
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What are the
tax benefits to owning a home?
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You may
be able to deduct the interest you pay on the mortgage loan and some of
the financing costs of the home, such as points. And your property
taxes
could be deductible. You should consult your tax advisor for more
information.
If you're renting right now, you may want to take a look at our Rent
vs. Buy Calculator.
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What do I
need to know about the mortgage loan process?
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Just this
— you've come to the right place for a loan process that's fast, clear,
and even fun! We've worked hard to simplify the process and provide the
best loan experience anywhere, online or off. Too good to be true? Not
at
all. Click here to find out How
We Do It.
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What can I
expect after I become a homeowner?
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Besides
unpacking boxes? You can expect that we'll continue to provide
first-rate
support and service. Go online anytime to monitor your loan activity,
like
principal, escrow, and taxes. And of course, we're always here to help:
contact us by email or by phone.
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Questions
for Repeat/Experienced Buyers:
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I want to
move up to
a better home. What can I afford?
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Each buyer
is unique — and we'll help you find out just what you can afford. You
already
know that monthly income and financial obligations are most important
in
determining your price range. It's simple to make an estimate: just run
the numbers for yourself using our Affordability
Calculator.
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I'm buying a
second home. Is it a different process?
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No. Whether
you need to be near the water or in the mountains, a vacation home
offers
an opportunity for fun and relaxation — and we make it just as easy to
obtain a mortgage. But keep in mind you'll need to identify sources for
your down payment, since you're not selling your current house and
using
the proceeds, and you'll need to expect a larger monthly obligation for
housing
expenses. We'll work with you to create a customized loan program with
the
best combination of rate, points, and closing costs for your needs — we
call
it our personalized rate because no two are alike!
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What about
my less-than-perfect credit report?
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Our special
solutions program can help:
|
We offer loan options
ideal for those
who have a few "dings" on their credit report.
|
We try to work with every
customer to develop an individual mortgage program - we call it your
personalized rate, because no two are alike.
|
So we try to develop a
custom program
based on your credit worthiness.
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Will I need
an appraisal on my new home?
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Not necessarily.
You may qualify for a more streamlined loan process. We can look at
your
credit history and consult our property assessment model to determine
if
we can complete your loan application without an appraisal.
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Do I have to
pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
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Our loan
programs for down payments of 20% or less do not require you to
purchase
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Instead, we have a Low Down Payment
Rate
Adjustment that is added to the interest rate. In most cases, it will
cost
less than PMI and, if you itemize deductions on your taxes, this may
provide
you with an additional tax deduction opportunity. Please consult your
tax
advisor.
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What if I
don't sell
my current house?
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You may
qualify for a new loan without even selling your current home. We'll
help
you determine what might work for you. It's simple to run the numbers
for
yourself on our handy Affordability
Calculator. You may also want to discuss a bridge loan — give us a
call at 786-417-4910.
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What if I'm
building
a home?
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If you are
working with a builder within a sub-division or development and just
making
carpeting, lighting and appliance selections for a brand-new home, you
can probably obtain a standard mortgage loan. But if you're hiring
contractors,
electricians, plumbers, and painters, you probably need a construction
loan, which provides funds to pay subcontractors as work progresses.
For
more information on construction loans, give us a call at 786-417-4910.
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Questions
for Refinancers:
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Is now the
time to refinance?
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Each homeowner
is unique — and we'll help you determine if it's the right time for you
to refinance. Effective refinancing typically means lowering your
current
mortgage loan rate by at least one percent. You might also want to
consider
changing the length of your loan or receiving cash from the equity in
your
house. It's simple to see what will work for you, just run the numbers
for yourself using our Refinance
Calculator.
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Is
refinancing the best choice for my financial goals?
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If you want
to increase cash flow, refinancing to lower your monthly payment could
help. See what will work for you using our Refinance
Calculator.
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Can I reduce
my monthly payment if I refinance?
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Quite possibly.
To get a good idea of what your new monthly payment would be, use our Refinance
Calculator. If you presently have
an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) and your rate is getting ready to
reset to a higher rate, we may very well be able to help you lower your
payment. In the worst case, we can get you a fixed rate so you
don't have to worry about your payments increasing in the future!
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Can I
shorten the loan term if I refinance?
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Yes, as
long as you qualify. For instance, you may be able to reduce your
mortgage
loan term from 30 years to 15 years.
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Can I
refinance and use the cash for an addition to my home?
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Absolutely.
Many people borrow against the equity in their homes to make
improvements.
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How much of
my home equity can I use?
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Up to 90
percent of the appraised value of your home can be used to make home
improvements. The equity you can use is based on the value of the home
and what you currently owe, subject to applicable state laws.
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Can I still
refinance even if I don't have much equity?
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Yes, up
to 90 percent loan-to-value (LTV) if you want to refinance your house
for
a new rate and term. A reappraisal of your property may be required.
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What will it
cost me
to refinance?
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You will
have closing costs associated with refinancing your loan, including
points
and processing fees. You may have the option of rolling these costs
into
the loan amount to reduce your cash out of pocket. To evaluate your
options,
use our Refinance
Calculator.
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