Detour-Tax Time Tips

In the past few weeks we have seen more and more tax returns that either have errors on them or that what was filed was not the copy given to the client. When having your taxes done, make sure that what is filed with the IRS is the copy you get from your tax preparer. Also, as you sign your taxes, go through them. Make sure your address is correct, that deductions taken are accurate. Once you sign them, you are telling the IRS that they are right.
Also, some times family, friends, or preparers will give us ideas for write-offs that will help us this year, but could effect us in future years. A great example is when you live with a family member and help pay the mortgage. If you take any part of the interest write off on your taxes, then you will not qualify for any first time home-buyer assistance that may be available for the next three years.
Another example is when you take large 2106 expense deductions. 2106 deductions automatically reduce your income when trying to qualify for a mortgage. If you write-off $6000 per year that is $500 per month we have to reduce your income by. That could make or break a purchase transaction.
I hope these tips are helpful, please feel free to email or call me if you have any comments or questions.

Step Four

It's now time to take the next step. You are confident that your credit is good "enough", your income is stable, and you have been saving a little at a time and have a modest nest egg. You may need help from one of the down payment assistance programs, family or the seller, but you don't want to wait any longer with where rates and housing prices are.
Pick up the phone and call! Preferably, call me! 209-825-9383 or email: dromero@abilitymortgage.com.
You will not know your next step until you talk to a professional. For my clients, this is a free consultation. It can be done over the phone, in person, or online at our website: http://www.abilitymortgage.com/. It takes about 10 minutes for the application process. Don't worry about account numbers or that you won't have everything you need. This is what you will need for the initial application:
Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Address, and Last pay stub or W-2. That's it and I bet most of that information is in your head. If you are calling and applying with a spouse or co-signor, then the W-2 will be helpful because it will have that person's social security number on it.
Stop waiting, start 2012 off right and call!

Step Three: How much is a down payment?

When purchasing a home you will need to have some money for a down payment. There are all types of loans even 0% down, but no matter which loan, you will need to have assets in the bank or someone able to give you assets to purchase your home. When making an offer on a home the seller will want a good faith deposit. This is money that you give to the escrow company to be held until the property is ready to be transferred to you at sale. The seller wants to know you are serious and can ask for as little as .5% to 10%. Most commonly we see a minimum of $1000. That $1000 will be credited to you and will reduce the amount of money you need for your down payment and/or closing costs.
Typically if you do not receive or qualify for 0% down or any second mortgage or grant programs and you are a first time home buyer, you will need 3.5% of the purchase price plus closing costs to purchase your home. If you are purchasing a home for $150,000 you will need $5,250. This can be in your bank account, your 401k or retirement account, or can be gifted to you by an immediate family member. But that is not all you will need, there are the fees to pay the bank/lender, the title/escrow company, the notary, appraiser, pest inspector, etc...also, you will need to set up your impound account, the account that holds the funds to pay your taxes and insurance when due. These costs can reach 4-4.5% of the sales price (depending on time of year and current rates). That could be an additioanl $6750. Now, you can ask the seller to help you with closing costs, but there is no law stating that they have to.
Don't let these figures scare you, there are programs and loans available to help, but if you can start saving some of the money today, getting your loan in the future will be much easier. Contact me for more information and to get onto the road of home ownerhsip

Step Two-Employment and Income

If you have had your credit pulled, or you know that your credit is good (over a 660 middle score from a mortgage source), then it is time to consider your employment and income. Investor's are looking for job stability. That doesn't necessarily mean you have had to be at the same company for the last 10 years, but they do want to make sure that if there has been any changes in the past two years that it was for good reason. If you just went from being a warehouseman to a car salesman, you will probably need two years of history before they will consider your income. But each case is different and you should talk to your lender about it. In the new conservative world we live in, it is best to take a two year average of your income. Now if that income includes Bonus or Overtime a written verification of income from your employer will need to be requested by your lender. The reason is that the overtime and bonus income has to be verified as usual and customary. A one time bonus or a season of overtime (that does not happen every year)will not be used to help you qualify.
Stay tuned for more "how to" information.

Step One

To kick off 2012 I would like to help more people attain their goal/dream of home ownership. The first step you should take is finding out what your credit looks like. Credit plays a huge role in the approval process. Not only can bad credit keep you from purchasing, but simple issues like disputing accounts can cause delays. Also, credit scores that used to seem perfect are now not considered as "perfect." Scores as high as 740 can still pay adjustments in their rate or fees to the investors.
There is so much to find out, that you should be talking to a reliable lender months before you consider shopping for your first, next, investment or second home. Getting a full picture can help make the loan process much easier.
Feel free to contact me through my website or via comment on my blog about finding out more about your credit.

Time for New Resolutions!

I believe I am going to take a new turn with my blog. Instead of just posting opinions and ideas about the mortgage industry, I am going to make it an online educational course. For those of you who are looking to purchase your first home, move into a bigger home, downsize into something smaller, invest in real estate, or buy that second home you have always wanted, I am going to put the how to on this website. If you want to know about a particular topic, comment or email me. I will address it in my next blog.
This will be the blog for the do it yourself, Internet savvy, real estate driven person. I hope that my knowledge will help you grow and achieve your dreams.

Tomorrow's Blog: Where Do I Begin?

Labor Market Issues

The bond market is the benefactor of two items today. First is the Labor Market is showing signs of some issues. Numbers came out good, but are they believable? Time will tell. Also, the Fed is buying more bonds today than it had originally projected. Rates are good, maybe getting a tad better. What a great time to buy or refinance your home.