New FICO “Resilience” Credit Score Could Help Borrowers
As the U.S. economy reels from record-high unemployment and continued COVID-19 shutdowns, the Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), a global analytics company and producer of the FICO credit score, released a new credit index recently it hopes will keep mortgage lending and other loans flowing during these unprecedented times. After reviewing over 70 million consumer credit files from the Great Recession, FICO found that the majority of consumers - including those with lower credit scores - kept up with their financial obligations even during that time of double-digit unemployment and devastating h...
July 15th, 2020 | Credit, New FICO “Resilience” Credit Score Could Help Borrowers
Buying a First Home in an Expensive Area
For Americans living and working in the nation’s most expensive real estate markets, homeownership can seem like the impossible dream. Prices are high and options can be limited. It may feel like home values rise faster than your ability to save up for a down payment. Although the process may look different than in other parts of the country, becoming a first-time homebuyer in a pricey area is possible. Here are some suggestions for making that dream a reality: Determine Your Budget First, you need to figure out how much home you can afford. That number needs to be determined by yo...
July 1st, 2020 | Purchasing a Home, Buying a First Home in an Expensive Area
Understanding Mortgage-related Insurance
When you buy a home with a mortgage, you will be required to pay all sorts of insurance, including homeowner’s insurance, title insurance and private mortgage insurance. What are all these policies and why do you have to pay for them? Homeowner’s Insurance Homeowner’s insurance is a policy that protects you against loss if your property or any structures on it are damaged. This covers damage from fire, storms, and vandalism. If you are unable to live in your home because of one of these issues, the insurance will also cover the cost of temporary housing while your home ...
June 3rd, 2020 Understanding Mortgage-related Insurance
How Long Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last?
Getting pre-approved before shopping for a new home is a smart idea, but what if you don’t find the right home quickly? How long does that pre-approval last? Pre-approval Defined Before going out with a real estate agent to look for the perfect property, it is wise to get pre-approved with a mortgage lender. This means allowing the lender to run your credit and take a look at your income and assets to determine how much mortgage funding you qualify for. A pre-approval gives you a top number for your house budget to help define your search. It also gives you credibility wit...
May 6th, 2020 | Purchasing a Home, Preapproval, How Long Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last?
How to Buy a Home During COVID-19
With most of the country on shelter-in-place orders due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the homebuying process has undergone plenty of changes for those still looking to get into a home of their own. Buyers, sellers and real estate agents have had to make adjustments for the safety of all. If you are in the midst of your home search or ready to start, here’s what you need to know about buying a home during this challenging coronavirus environment. Virtual Shopping & Viewing Agents and sellers have had to get creative during this time of social distancing. Buyers have had...
April 8th, 2020 | Purchasing a Home, How to Buy a Home During COVID-19
Will an Employment Gap Hurt My Chances for Mortgage Approval?
Employment history is a very important aspect of a mortgage application. Mortgage loans are usually for substantial sums of money and lenders want to reduce the risk that borrowers will default. One sign that a borrower will be consistent in making their mortgage payments is if they have a stable two-year history of employment. But what if you have gaps in your work history? Can you still qualify for a mortgage? Gap Period Most lenders will only require a two-year work history, so if you had gaps prior to that period, you may not even need to inform your lender about it. If you have had ...
March 11th, 2020 | Mortgage Advice, Will an Employment Gap Hurt My Chances for Mortgage Approval?