Having enough money in the bank is an important part of buying a home, but during the mortgage process, the amount in your account may not be the only consideration. In certain situations, lenders may also need to understand where funds came from. That can surprise buyers who assume that once money reaches their account, its history no longer matters. Mortgage Funds May Need to Be DocumentedDuring the mortgage process, buyers may provide bank or asset statements showing money available for the … [Read more...]
How a Seller Credit Can Change the Cash You Need Without Changing the Home’s Price
When buyers negotiate the purchase of a home, price often gets most of the attention. But the final sales price is not the only number that can affect how much money a buyer needs at closing. In some transactions, a seller credit can help with certain eligible closing expenses without requiring the seller to reduce the home's purchase price. What Is a Seller Credit?A seller credit, sometimes called a seller concession, is an amount the seller agrees to contribute toward certain buyer costs … [Read more...]
What Happens When the House You Want Has a Solar Loan Attached to It?
Solar panels can be an appealing feature when shopping for a home, especially for buyers interested in energy efficiency. But seeing panels on the roof does not tell you who owns them or whether money is still owed. If the solar system was financed, the outstanding obligation can become an important part of the home purchase conversation.First Find Out Who Owns the SystemSolar arrangements can vary. The homeowner may own the system outright, be paying off a solar loan, or have another type of … [Read more...]
Could Paying Off a Debt Before Applying for a Mortgage Actually Be the Wrong Move?
Paying off debt sounds like an obvious way to prepare for a mortgage. After all, fewer monthly obligations can improve cash flow and potentially help with mortgage qualification. But using a large portion of your savings to eliminate a debt immediately before buying a home is not automatically the best strategy. Sometimes the money in the bank can be just as important as the debt you want to eliminate. Not Every Debt Has the Same ImpactMortgage qualification considers monthly debt obligations, … [Read more...]
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