If you know anyone who has recently tried to buy a house – good luck! Due to the economy, interest rates are climbing, and it is difficult to find a good interest rate in this market. While there are many options for acquiring a mortgage, people often forget that their best option is through a credit union. According to Life Tracker, credit unions have a variety of options that can better suit potential homeowners. Credit unions have gained popularity for…
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By Liz Keuler, from Readynest.com The perfect home in the perfect location at the perfect price – that’s every homebuyer’s dream. And once you start the search, you realize almost immediately it’s more like a pipe dream, and you might have to settle for slightly less than perfection. So how do you know what to look for in a house? How do you prioritize your needs and wants, and how do you know what’s worth a compromise? My advice? Winnow…
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By Shelley Sines, from Readynest.com While it may seem intimidating to prequalify for a mortgage loan, it’s a great first step when you’re just beginning to shop for a home. You wouldn’t bake a cake without making sure you have all the ingredients first, right? According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a prequalification (sometimes called a “preapproval”) from a lender is a letter that specifies how much the lender is generally willing to lend you. The lender typically…
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If you’re new to the idea of owning your own home, you likely have a lot of questions. Here’s the answer to one common question that will help you become a successful homeowner. What’s the difference between being prequalified and preapproved? Prequalification Prequalification simply involves a rough calculation of the mortgage payment you can afford. Your credit union lender can help you with this. Preapproval Preapproval means you’re essentially good to go. You formally apply for the mortgage and pay…
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Thinking about buying your first house? To make the preapproval process seamless, gather these financial documents: Your credit report – Obtain a copy as early as possible and scour it for accuracy. If time permits, pull your credit report three months before you seek pre-approval so you have time to correct any issues or mistakes. Each major credit bureau must provide one free credit report annually to consumers requesting a copy. To obtain a report visit annualcreditreport.com. Usually, it works…
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The mortgage business seems to have its own language. It’s complicated and full of acronyms, terms and jargon, many of which you may not have much knowledge about. When you think about buying a house or refinancing your mortgage, you might feel like a college freshman entering his or her first class of the semester…naïve, unprepared and a bit hesitant. We know mortgages can be hard to understand, and that’s why we work with you every step of the way….
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Life changes – like getting married, divorced, having a child, or facing widowhood – require more than an emotional adjustment. They also require certain financial adjustments. If you need help, you can get FREE financial coaching through Midwest Community. Learn more here. Marriage Have the money talk. Sit down with your significant other and set financial goals. Do you want to save for a new house? Have kids? Will you pool your assets or maintain separate checking or savings accounts? Discuss…
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The landscape of mortgage refinancing is shifting, but that shouldn’t necessarily scare homeowners away from considering this financial move. According to the Ohio Credit Union League’s 2018 Mid-Year Consumer survey, 57 percent of respondents have refinanced a mortgage. And most Ohioans, 81.7 percent, believe the best reason to refinance a mortgage is to take advantage of better interest rates, payments, or loan terms. Fewer Ohioans are comfortable utilizing a cash-out refinance option to pay for home improvements (8.6 percent), to…
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A: Since monthly payments spread the cost of a mortgage loan over an extended period, it’s easy to forget the total expense. For example, if you borrow $200,000 for 30 years at 6% interest, your total repayment will be around $431,680, more than two and a half times the original loan. What seems like minor differences in the interest rate can add up to a lot of money over 30 years. At 7%, the total repaid would be $479,160, about $47,480…
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A: Start by defining your goals. Consider where you want to live, the features you’re looking for, what you can afford, and a realistic date for having the money you’ll need. Then apply your knowledge to making this key decision. The Cost of Buying The actual amount you’ll spend to buy a home depends on the part of the country you live in and the type of home you want. While the dollar amount will vary, certain guidelines apply wherever…
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