Money Needed To Buy A Home

When we speak with first-time home buyers, we’re often met with surprise when outlining the amount of money needed to buy. Many clients come to us knowing about the down payment and monthly mortgage payment, and that’s about all. We’d like to go over the general expenses to expect when buying a home, as well as the money we’d recommend having on hand.

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Buying a House with Student Debt

We get questions regarding buying a house with student loan debt all the time. "Can I get a mortgage when I have student debt?" "How can I save for a down payment while paying off student debt?" "I have a mortgage and student debt, should I start paying one off early?" Let's dive into it!

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Pre-qualification, Pre-approval, and Loan Commitment: What’s the Difference?

You’ve finally decided to take the plunge into homeownership, but finding out where to begin can be difficult. Here at Mortgage Specialists, we advise that you seek out a lender before beginning to house hunt.

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5 Reasons to Go to a Mortgage Specialist Before House Hunting

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, the home buying process can seem a little daunting. Browsing through beautiful homes is the easy part—it’s when you actually decide to take action that things become tricky.

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Which Loan Is Right For Me?: Conventional vs Government-Insured Loans

We know that purchasing a home is a daunting task for anyone, but especially first-time homebuyers. There are many different types of loans available and it’s important to understand each major type to ensure you’re able to make an informed decision.

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4 Common Home Buying Mistakes

When first-time home buyers come to us, we take the time to explain all the ins and outs of the mortgage process. We teach them what to look for and common home buying mistakes to avoid.

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Three Reasons to Get Pre-approved Early

It's generally best to obtain pre-approval early - before starting to look at homes. We recommend getting pre-approved as early as six months to a year in advance.

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Conventional Loan Guidelines

Conventional loan guidelines were created by the government and are enforced to protect the lender, borrower, and investor.

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How Long Is a Mortgage Pre-approval Good For?

In order to obtain a mortgage pre-approval, the buyer needs to provide their lender with a picture of their financial situation. After receiving the documentation, the lender analyzes the buyer’s information and determines if they’re eligible for a loan. If they are, the lender issues a mortgage pre-approval for a certain amount.

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How Do Lenders Verify Income?

Regardless of where you get a mortgage, you will always need three things - income, credit, and money down - and you’ll need the proper documentation for each.

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