How To Get Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved For a Mortgage (Or Home Loan)

Working closely with a lender is an important part of my business.  I like to stay informed and help my clients understand everything about buying a home.  Many people have heard a lot of real estate terms, but don’t always know what they mean.  I asked a loan officer to help explain the initial qualification process for me.  This is what he had to say about Pre-Qualifing/Pre-Approvals:

This is a touchy topic these days with all the different regulations and laws that have come out. Everyone has to step lightly as to not get in trouble for saying the wrong things that could be taken as misleading or misguiding.


Take for example the words pre-qualification, and pre-approval. As a loan officer, you are not allowed to market a "Pre-Approval" anymore because "Approval" indicates you just approved a person for a specific loan. Although loan officers can issue pre-approvals, it is not allowed on marketing materials because it simply cannot be done correctly until a borrower has picked out a property, and a full loan application has been made.


"Pre-Qualification" simply means to sit down and cover the very basics of getting a loan. This simply means that you are "Qualified" to apply for a mortgage and have high chances of obtaining a mortgage and so this is the lingo they want loan officers to use. This is what realtors and sellers want to see happen before you write an offer on a house. Once you have a letter from a lender they then begin to take you seriously.


This is good for you too. You need to know you qualify for a loan (mortgage) before you buy anyway. And after the process is complete the loan officer can tell you how much money you qualify for, what payment ranges will be, and also a lot more needed information that you might not realize you need to know.


The process usually should take only 10-15 minutes. You can fill out information online, over the phone, or in person. Most people love a in person meeting at their place of business because of fraud these days. 


What information a loan officer will need during the pre-qualification is your rough estimated income (gross- not after taxes!) to see what debt to income ratios you are at. He then talks to you about your overall credit situation, and then other details associated with each individual that may effect things like if you have any money to put down, etc. Every transaction is different and it is best at this point to be very open and give all the information you can.


After you sit and talk, your loan officer should be able to tell you what loan programs you qualify for or if there are any challenges you need to overcome before looking for a home. But, if you do qualify, your loan officer should issue a letter for you to give to your realtor to put an offer in on a home you love!

If you want to do this, contact David:

David DuBeau – Loan Officer

Sterling Savings Bank

541-292-9663

541-608-2161

www.DavidDuBeau.net

Once you're pre-approved, "Let's Go Shopping!"   Shopping for a home has never been easier.  I can send you information via email so you can preview many homes from your computer.  Then, you can select which ones that best fit your criteria and then we see those in person.   We can have you in a home sometimes in less than 30 days.

For a list of properties, give me a call:

Cheryl Malone – Real Estate Broker

Windermere Investors Marketplace

541-951-1960

www.CherylMalone.com

Remember, the first step in buying a home is to get pre-qualified on a home loan! 

Sellers do not like to deal with buyers who might not qualify. There are plenty of different options out there (even up to 100% financing). 

So get the best Realtor / Real Estate Agent and Loan Officer in Medford and the Rogue Valley working for you today.

Veterans Helping Veterans - First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit - VA Loans

I had this article published in one of our local papers today...

Exciting News For Veterans

Windermere Investors Marketplace in Medford and Jacksonville has teamed up with David and Micah DuBeau of Sterling Savings Bank to let the veterans know that many of them may still be eligible for the $8,000 or $6,500 First Time Home Buyer tax credit.

These credits have been extended to members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside of the U.S. on qualified extended duty service for at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008 and ending before May 1, 2010. However, to take advantage of these credits, an eligible taxpayer must purchase, or enter into a binding contract to purchase, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011.  The eligible taxpayer then has until June 30, 2011 to close on the purchase.

This is an enormous benefit to our veterans! We do not feel there has been enough media coverage which is why we are trying to get the word out as the window of opportunity is about to close.

There are many financing options available to eligible veterans including 100% loans.  They are easy to apply for and the process has been streamlined.  Often eligibility can be determined within 48 hours, it's easy.  No DD-214 is required.  David and Micah are veterans, having recently served in Iraq themselves and they take pride in serving their fellow veterans.

When you combine a 100% VA loan, a Realtor that negotiates the seller paying their closing costs, a low priced foreclosure home, and an $8,000 tax credit - things get exciting.  Interest rates are at a historical low... it's a great time to buy.  We want all the veterans to experience The American Dream, homeownership.   We would like every eligible veteran to have the chance to take advantage of this great opportunity.  Veterans should check with their tax advisor regarding eligibility.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Malone  541-951-1960
Windermere Investors Marketplace

David DuBeau  541-608-1800
Micah DuBeau  541-608-2161
Sterling Savings Bank

Are You Looking Out And Saving For Your Future?

When most people think about that question, they usually think about how much money they have in their savings or retirement account.  I think it is really hard for people to put money in the bank and leave it alone.  It is very hard to "save" for the future that way.

There is a better way to save, which still requires some restraint.  Buying a home... and NOT REFINANCING.  Once you buy your home, leave it alone... let the equity build.  You are going to need it one day, when you are old/older.  Is social security going to be there for you?  If so, is it enough?  Probably not. 

My way is a simple and easy way to save - if you keep your hands out of the pot!  Another thing people don't think about doing is paying an additional $100 per month towards the principle on their mortgage.  Don't put that $100 in the bank... include it with your mortgage payment as principle only and at the end of 10 years you will have brought your loan balance down by $12,000.  Wow, that is money in the bank - that you can't touch until you REALLY need it.  How many of you can have $12,000 in the bank and not touch it?  Be honest... not that many.

Food for thought - money in the bank actually!

If you want to buy a house... give me a call - you will be glad you did.

Cheryl Malone
541-951-1960

www.sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com

Craigslist and eBay - How To Get Rid Of Stuff.

Do you know how to get rid of all that stuff you don't want to take with you when you move?  These days the answer could be only a click away.

Craiglist is great for finding a home for the larger items around your house.  It is very easy to post something on this site, all you need is an email address.  It is helpful if you take pictures of your items, as most people want to see what they are buying before they make a trip out to your house.  You can attach up to four pictures of your item. 

Remember when taking pictures for the Internet, don't make the picture size to large.  It will take to long to load them and some files will not be transferred at all.  You can set your camera to a smaller pixel size or resize them once you load them on your computer.

eBay is another great place to sell smaller items.  It is easy once you set up your account and it is helpful if you have a Paypal account too.  You canset up an auction for your item or just set a fixed price with a "Buy It Now".  You are charged a fee to list the item and then if it sells they charge you another fee.  But, it is worth it.  You would be amazed at what people are looking for and buy on eBay. 

You can actually set up an account with the shipping companies and do all of your shipping from home.  You can use UPS, FEDEX, and United States Post Office.  All you need is a scale and some sticky labels.  This is the best part, you don't have to go down to the post office to mail something that you sold for $5, you just do it from your house and drop it off in the mail box at the corner.  How easy is that.

So, if you are thinking about moving or just want to clean out your "stuff" (everyone has stuff) then consider these options.  You will be surprised at how the $$$$ add up.

Check out my other blogs:  http://www.sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/

Invest In Your Future Now ... Will Social Security Be There For You?

Are you relying on Social Security as a source of income in your "golden years"?  Most people are expecting their Social Security to support them or help support them when they are ready to retire. 

I am looking at my Social Security Statement from February 2010 right now and there is a very interesting part of this statement that I am not sure you are aware of.

It states: "Your estimated benefits are based on current law.  Congress has made changes to the law in the past and can do so at any time.  The law governing benefit amounts may change because, by 2037, the payroll taxes collected will be enough to pay only about 76 percent of scheduled benefits"

Well, what does that mean exactly... not sure, but I don't think I can really count on Social Security being there for me.  Gee, congress can make changes to the law any time - that is reassuring. 

So lets say you were suppose to get $1,000 a month, now you are getting $760... hmmm I could have done a lot with that extra $240.

I feel that real estate is a very good investment, if you look at it long term.  If you are renting now, you should buy yourself a little home - just to get your foot in the door.  If you currently own a home you can buy yourself a little house to rent out - over the years it would go up in value and your loan balance will decrease.  When you need some additional income to live on in 25 years, it will be almost paid off.  This could be your nest egg. You can refinance and pull your money out or just sell it. 

I like to think of this type of thing as "the investment that keeps on giving".  If you refinance and take some money out to live on, you still have the property... you can then leave it to your kids when you pass away or you can refinance several times throughout the years.  Hence, the investment that keeps on giving.

This type of small investment is easy to manage.  There are many options.  I have years of experience with property management and can help guide you through the process.  Think about your future, Social Security isn't.

Call me and I can get you started.

Cheryl Malone
541-951-1960

Here are some other blogs I wrote:

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/so-you-want-to-own-rental-why-not-buy.html

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/rent-vs-own-should-i-buy-house-in.html

FACEBOOK ANYONE ?

How many people have a Facebook or should I ask how many people don't?  Facebook has been very good to me.  I have reconnected with some of my old friends from school, which has been a lot of fun to see where their lives have taken them.  It is definitely a way to feel connected to people on a regular basis, without feeling like you are intruding into their life.  They post what they want you to know and it takes off from there into some interesting places !

It is nice that you can select who you want to be "friends" with and share only what you want to share with others.  Overall, it is fun to have.  Now in saying that, you can have too much fun if you get addicted to the games they have like Farmville and Cafe World.  I use to plan my whole day around when my "Farmville" crops were going to be ready to harvest.  Ain't that a hoot !  Luckily that only lasted for a few months and then I wised up and quit playing, cold turkey.  My farmhouse and crops have probably turned to dust and tumbleweeds by now... I don't dare go and check.

I just made a Facebook page for my business, I have not put anything on it yet.  Hopefully it will be a fun and informative place for my clients to check out.  We will see how that develops.  Happy Facebooking !

Check out my other blog:

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/rent-vs-own-should-i-buy-house-in.html

No Money Down or 100% Financing Options in Medford, Oregon

It might be surprising to know that in today's market you CAN BUY A HOUSE WITH NO MONEY DOWN.  There is 100% FINANCING AVAILABLE with competitive rates.  I have noticed that there is not much mention of the 100% FINANCING AVAILABLE to Veterans in the local postings of financing options.  This is a benefit to many of our servicemen and I think it should be talked about more. 

If you are looking to buy HORSE PROPERTY in the rural area of White City, Central Point, Eagle Point, Sams Valley, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent, Shady Cove, or Gold Hill the property may qualify for a 100% LOAN from USDA.  This is available to anyone who can qualify for the loan, you do not have to be a veteran for this type of loan.

You can get your foot in the door with these types of loans in today's market.  As you build some equity, you trade up to a larger or better house.  There is no better time then today - to knock on that door !

Want to see if you qualify for these types of loans?  It's easy - I repeat - it's easy... give me a call at 541-951-1960 and I can put you in touch with the best loan officers... DAVID AND MICAH DUBEAU.  They are veterans themselves and take great pride in helping their fellow veterans.

Check out my other blogs:

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/oregon-real-estate-transfer-tax-we-need.html

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/want-to-buy-home-in-medford-oregon-how.html

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-real-estate-that.html

http://sellingoregonhomes.blogspot.com/2011/02/100-financing-available-on-real-estate.html