Experts would say now, if you meet the following criteria:
- Are not counting on price appreciation in the short term. Most experts don’t expect home prices to inflate much in the next couple of years.
- Can afford the monthly payments.
- Plan to stay in the house long enough for the appreciation to cover your transaction costs. The costs of buying and selling a home include real estate commissions, lender fees and closing costs that can amount to more than 10% of the sales price.
- Need a tax break. The mortgage interest deduction can make home ownership very appealing.
- Prefer to be an owner rather than a renter.
- Can handle the maintenance expenses and headaches.
- Are not greatly concerned by dips in home values.
Roughly, it’s three times your annual household income. Real estate experts strongly recommend people get pre-qualified by a lender as a way of calculating exactly how much of a home they can afford. When qualifying people for a loan, lenders look at a borrower’s full financial standing. Lenders use the relationship PITI (principal + interest + taxes + insurance payments) and their gross monthly income. Generally, lenders like to see the PITI not exceed 30% to 33% of the borrower’s gross monthly income. They also consider the ratio of the borrower’s monthly debt payments, including the PITI to income. Some lenders have flexibility in these qualifying ratios.
Putting down as little as possible and taking a larger mortgage allows buyers to take full advantage of the tax benefits of homeownership. Mortgage interest (and property taxes) is fully deductible from state and federal income taxes.
Although some experts advise against it, homebuyers interested in buying a house with nothing down can do so. But it’s not easy finding these loans and in some cases they can be risky. Occasionally, a builder will offer nothing-down loans to induce sales in an otherwise slow-moving project. Desperate sellers also may agree to finance the full purchase price to get out from under a property.
Most real estate purchase contracts include at least two contingencies. A financing contingency makes the purchase conditional on the buyers´ ability to obtain a loan commitment from a lender. An inspection contingency allows the buyers to have professionals inspect the property to their satisfaction.
A poor credit history makes it harder to qualify for a mortgage. There are numerous types of credit report problems that cause a lender to reject a loan application.
If you’ve ever missed a credit card payment, defaulted on a prior mortgage, school or car loan, it will probably show up on your credit report. If you’ve filed for bankruptcy within the past seven years, that will show up on your credit report. If you haven’t paid your taxes, or there has been a judgment filed against you (perhaps for non-payment of spousal or child support), it will also show up. Failure to pay your landlord, doctor or hospital may turn into a black spot on your credit report
Anyone concerned about their credit history can order a copy of their own report by calling the three main national credit reporting agencies: Equifax (800) 685-1111, TRW (800) 392-1122 or Trans Union (317) 408-1050.
You can also reach them or obtain free credit reports every 12 months through this non-profit site: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
While a very low offer in a normal market might be rejected immediately, in a buyer’s market the below-market offer will usually either be accepted or generate a counteroffer. When few offers are being made, an outright rejection of offers becomes unlikely. There are always some sellers who for some reason must sell quickly and will consider a reduced price. There are other considerations:
- Is the offer contingent upon anything such as the sale of the buyer’s current house?
- If the offer made on the house "as is", or does the buyer want the seller to make some repairs before close of escrow?
- Is the offer all cash? A cash offer at less than the asking price may be more attractive to the seller than a full-price offer with a financing contingency.
Word of caution: Number of years experience alone does not equate to a good real estate agent. You want someone that is reputable, with the skills and knowledge and ability to commit to your needs and visions. Talk to us today to see if we're a match.
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