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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You may have heard the term “HELOC” when exploring lending options and wondered A) what a HELOC is, or B) if it would be a good fit for your needs. Generally speaking, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a great option to finance a variety of needs with a goal of low payments. In this short video, you’ll learn more about HELOCs and what they can do for you. Midwest Community FCU offers a variety of lending options,…
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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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Getting rejected for a loan can feel like a kick in the teeth. No way around it, rejection is painful. But a loan rejection may be a gift in disguise. All too often, borrowers get the loan they want and end up wishing they hadn’t because they can’t afford the payments. Lenders have good reasons for denying loans; they need to know you will be able to repay the amount you borrow from them. With some effort, you can turn…
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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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