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13 Steps to Buying a Bank-Owned Foreclosure

HomeLight

If that’s you, you may have heard that one path to a deal is buying a bank-owned foreclosure. There are pros and cons to consider when going this route, however, such as the fact that bank-owned properties often need more TLC than other homes on the market, and many are sold as-is. What’s a bank-owned foreclosure?

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Get Ahead of Appraiser Required Repairs: How Sellers Can Avoid the Most Common Closing Killers

HomeLight

According to the National Association of Realtors® Research Group’s 2021 data , 64% of buyers used conventional loans, 16% used FHA loans and 14% used VA loans. A conventional loan is a private mortgage, which is usually backed by a commercial enterprise such as a bank, mortgage company, or credit union.

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When Is a House Down Payment Due and How Much Do I Need?

HomeLight

As we mentioned, your lender will need to see that you do actually have the money as part of your loan approval process — a current bank statement will usually suffice — but you won’t need to transfer it out until closing day. So, someone could literally buy a $700,000 house with no money down with a VA loan,” says May.

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Ask Brian: What Does that Mean? Real Estate Jargon

Realty Biz

LTV states the amount of the loan as a percentage of the house value. That means the bank will loan 80% of the value of the house and the buyer needs to pay cash for the other 20%. In this case, the loan to value is 80%. Of course, there are many FHA loans out there with a down payment of 3.5%.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Home in Texas in 14 Steps

HomeLight

Some conventional loans allow for first-time buyers to put as little as 3% down , subject to qualification requirements. FHA Loans usually require a minimum down payment of 3.5% — so if you purchase a house for $325,000, expect to put down at least $11,375 with this type of loan. Negotiate repairs.

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How to Buy a Home As-Is and Make Sure You’re Protected

HomeLight

On the other hand, a home in foreclosure might list as-is because the bank doesn’t want to invest money or spend time on fixes. An inspection can tell you upfront the exact issues with the house so you know what money you might have to spend down the line. Let’s take a look at how MPRs differ for the most common loans.

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From Contract to House Keys: Breaking Down the House Closing Process

HomeLight

Conventional loans closed in an average of 47 days in July 2021, while FHA loans took 51 days, and VA loans required an average of 52 to close. In that case, you could get your earnest money back if you have an inspection contingency and make the decision within the period the contract specifies.

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