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How to Beat a Contingent Offer on the House You Want

HomeLight

From getting pre-approved for your mortgage to offering flexible closing dates, these strategies are designed to put you in a stronger position. Get pre-approved for your mortgage loan Securing a mortgage pre-approval is perhaps the most important first step in making a compelling offer. Get Started 1.

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Answering Your Top Questions About Home Affordability Calculators

HomeLight

You may be wondering how affordability calculators work if you’re ready to get some numbers down on paper before showing up for a pre-qualification meeting with a lender. What’s the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved ? How much are closing costs? Source: (Joshua Hoehne / Unsplash).

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Do You Have to Take Out a Mortgage From the Same Lender That Preapproved You?

RIS Media

Before you start looking for your next home, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. You don’t necessarily have to borrow money to buy a home from the same lender that pre-approved you. What is Pre-approval and Why is It Important? Pre-approval and pre-qualification are not the same thing.

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15 Homebuying Terms You Should Know When Searching for Your New Home

RIS Media

Approved for short sale : A term that indicates that a bank has approved a homeowner for a reduced listing price on a home, and said home is ready for resale. Closing : A meeting during which ownership of a home is transferred from seller to buyer, usually attended by the buyer, the seller, both real estate agents and the lender.

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Mortgage, Mortgage, Mortgage: What First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know

Realty Biz

Keep an eye out for associated fees and other costs that you may encounter. Documentation and the Pre-Approval Process Pre-approval is a must for anyone looking to purchase a home. Be sure to have all of your documentation in order and ready to go before starting the pre-approval process.

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7 Things Sellers Need to Know About FHA Loans When Fielding Offers

HomeLight

As a seller, you’re usually not taking on additional risk by accepting an offer from a buyer pre-approved for an FHA loan than you would with a buyer pre-approved for a conventional loan. Defective paint surfaces in homes constructed pre-1978. A low appraisal is more likely to jeopardize the sale. Foundation damage.

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Thinking About a Rent-to-Own House? Here’s What You Need to Know

HomeLight

Most agreements stipulate that the buyer will rent the house for anywhere between one and three years before purchasing it, and the sales price is usually set at the time of the agreement. Additionally, a certain amount of the monthly rent is also typically stipulated to help cover the buyer’s closing costs or down payment.