Remove Debt-to-income ratio Remove Marketing Remove Principal Remove VA loan
article thumbnail

8 Common Misconceptions That First-Time Home Buyers Have

Realty Biz

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Check with your loan officer to see if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs. PMI can be removed once the homeowner has paid down enough of the loan’s principal. Student Loan Debt Must Be Paid off. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or U.S.

article thumbnail

Mastering Mortgage Basics: 10 Key Concepts Every Homebuyer Should Know

Redfin

Essentially, a mortgage enables individuals to become homeowners by providing the necessary funds upfront, with the property serving as security for the loan. You then make monthly payments, including principal and interest, over an agreed-upon term (usually 15 to 30 years) until the loan is fully repaid.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

What is PMI and Do You Need to Pay it?

Redfin

Depending on your local housing market , this can be a significant amount that not every homebuyer can afford. If a 20% down payment is too much for you to swing, your lender can look for other loan products that work with a smaller down payment. . If your down payment is less than 20%, PMI is non-negotiable for most loan types.

article thumbnail

ICE Mortgage Monitor: The Impact of "Golden-Handcuffs" on Mortgage Payments

Calculated Risk Real Estate

seasonally adjusted annualized rate There are many headwinds facing the would-be seller in today’s market, making their existing mortgage payment particularly attractive in comparison. The results were bracing, to say the least. Lower rates would ease the calculation for many and make moves more reasonable.

VA loan 109
article thumbnail

15 Mortgage Questions to Ask Lenders Before Buying a House

HomeLight

Save thousands when buying a home HomeLight recommended real estate agents are top-tier negotiators who understand the market data that helps you save as much as possible when buying your dream home. Debt-to-income ratio After looking at how much money is flowing into your household, you’ll want to write down your monthly debts.

article thumbnail

Looking for a Mortgage Lender? Here Are 19 Questions to Ask Them Before You Commit

HomeLight

One of the first things you’ll want to know is just how much house you can afford , which is based on your income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and savings amount (including your down payment). I had some clients a few years ago that had trouble qualifying because they had a lot of debt.

article thumbnail

51 Brilliant Real Estate Tips for Buyers to Edge Past the Competition

HomeLight

Ready to hit the market, buy your dream home and conquer this whole homeownership thing? They’ll have specialized market information that others won’t. Whether this will work depends on your market and how competitive it is. They’ll know what’s possible (and likely) in your market, at your price point.