Remove Equity Remove FHA loan Remove Inspection contingency Remove Loans
article thumbnail

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

HomeLight

So understand that unless you’ve been earning 1099 income for more than two years, it may not help you qualify for a home loan. Some loans, like VA or USDA loans, even allow you to put 0% down. and 1% of your loan amount, annually. And with most loans, you can drop mortgage insurance when you reach 20% equity.

article thumbnail

13 Steps to Buying a Bank-Owned Foreclosure

HomeLight

If the former homeowner defaulted on an FHA loan, the home may become inventory for various HUD programs, including the Good Neighbor Next Door program. If your offer is accepted, you start the process of inspections, title checks, and negotiations while securing a mortgage loan and signing the papers when it’s all said and done.

Banks 72
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

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

HomeLight

We’ll get into loan specifics later, but to give you some actual numbers to make sense of everything for the moment, consider this: While 20% has long been touted as the so-called ideal amount , it takes significant savings to afford putting this much down payment on a home — and it’s certainly not the norm for first-time buyers. Escrow fee.

article thumbnail

How to Buy a House in the Bay Area: 14 Steps to Close the Sale

HomeLight

With tips on everything from how to save for your down payment, specific loan programs for buyers, and what you should look for in an agent, we’ve got you covered. Typically, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be, which saves you money over the life of the loan. Loans are between 3%-3.5%

Closing 84
article thumbnail

Will My House Appraise for Its Selling Price? 10 Tips to Steer Clear of a Low Valuation

HomeLight

Whenever a buyer is financing the purchase of a home or refinancing a mortgage , an appraisal of the property is required in order to assure the lender that the value of the property matches the amount of the loan, according to the Appraisal Institute , the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers.

article thumbnail

Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Connecticut

HomeLight

Be aware of minimum property standards for certain loans. When you place your home on the market, it’s hard to predict if your top offer will come from a cash buyer or a buyer pre-qualified for a home loan. They also offer solutions if you don’t have any equity in your home or if you’re behind on mortgage payments.

As-is 93
article thumbnail

26 First Time Home Buyer Tips to Get Your Foot in The Door In 2021 (Plus 5 That Just Don’t Work)

HomeLight

Well, you’ll need a down payment — which, depending on the loan program you go with, could be as low as 3% (or even 0% with certain government-backed programs). Then you’ll have to pay closing costs, including appraisal and inspection costs (and don’t expect the seller to chip in — more on that later!). USDA loans.