Category: Mortgages

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Mortgages

Celebrating MortgageRight’s 15th Anniversary

On July 29, 2020, MortgageRight celebrates its 15th Anniversary as a company! As we approach this milestone, we wanted to take some time and reflect on fifteen years of growth and amazing support from the communities we serve. 

TJC Mortgage, Founded in 2005

In the summer of 2005, three friends created a local business focused on making the mortgage process faster, more efficient, and as easy as possible for homebuyers in Birmingham, AL. Tanner Allen, Joe Meadow, and Chris Carter combined their industry expertise and work ethic to build TJC Mortgage. The Birmingham community welcomed TJC with open arms and helped the company grow, encouraging these partners to seek out what was next for the company. 

Introducing Mortgage Right

Fast-forward to 2018, after opening more offices in the southeast, the TJC Mortgage team saw the opportunity to take the company a step further. Based on our desire to establish a national appeal for the company, we changed the company name to MortgageRight and launched a new brand. With this new name and the same exceptional service, MortgageRight continued to grow, adding new markets and customers. 

Just 2 Years Later. . . 

MortgageRight now has 30 branches with licenses in 34 states. One of our most significant accomplishments is helping 3,989 veterans access resources and programs to pursue the dream of homeownership since 2014. Joe Meadow, a veteran who served our country as a US Army paratrooper in Iraq, has spearheaded this effort based on his passion for helping soldiers acclimate back into society.

Thank You

We are filled with gratitude when we consider how far we have come over the last 15 years. We couldn’t have traveled this remarkable path from our first branch in Birmingham to a nationally recognized business without our incredible team and our wonderful clients. Thank you!

We look forward to many more years of serving you! 

Categories
Home Inspections Mortgages

An Inside Look Into Home Inspections

Home inspections are an important part of both buying and selling a home. We are featuring guest blogger George Sadwoski from By George Inspections to get an expert perspective on everything you need to know about home inspections.  

Introducing: George Sadwoski

I am a member of InterNACHI, AHIO, the Birmingham Association of Realtors, BNI, and the BBB. By George Inspections has been in business for almost five years. In that time, I have completed thousands of inspections for clients, all with 5-star reviews on my website and Facebook.

Introducing: Home Inspections

It is important to pick a reputable inspector. Use a home inspector certified as a licensed inspector with the state. Make sure your inspector is insured with E&O and Liability Insurance.

It is also important to clarify what your inspection includes. A home inspection is not a warranty for the home. It is an agreement to provide a client with a written report identifying issues the inspector observed, and problems deemed defects. These comments will not comprise the report. They are supplementary to the seller’s disclosure. 

An inspection is a non-invasive and issues fall into four categories:

  • Major defects, such as structural failure
  • Issues that can lead to major defects, such as a small leak on the roof
  • Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home if not immediately rectified
  • Safety hazards, such as exposed or live bus bars

Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. It is important to realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in an inspection report. No house is perfect, so keep this in perspective as you move into your new home.

Safety First

When performing an inspection, the inspector must first look out for his or her safety. If they see or detect mold, they are required to back out of the area and inform the client of the situation, as it can be very serious to them and the homeowner. If a roof is too steep or wet, I use binoculars to visually check the roof from a window. We also use drones to inspect hard to reach areas. This also avoids causing additional damage to the roof by walking on the shingles and abrading the sand from the shingles.

Crawl spaces and areas of confinement are tough to inspect, but I have a self-propelled robot crawler with cameras and lights to get into tight and confined areas. We have to look out for spiders, rodents, especially in these areas. Attics can be tough due to potential hazards like low headroom, deep insulation, and faulty wiring. 

An inspection is supposed to be non-invasive, meaning a lot of inspectors do not pull panels from electrical panels, but I always do a visual inspection to assess the gauge of the wiring, breaker amperage, and to see the amperage rating of the service.

A home purchase is one of the biggest investments most people make in their lifetime, and it is important to have an inspector that is certified. 

Remember my tag line, “Anyone else is just looking around.”

By George Sadowski
www.Bygeorgeinspections.com
205-907-4732

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Homebuying Tips Mortgages

Tips For Moving in a Time of Social Distancing

Tips For Moving in a Time of Social Distancing

Moving is never easy. Whether you are a DIY mover or hiring a crew, moving up the street or across the country, packing up a family or flying solo, re-locating is a difficult process. And let’s just say this pandemic isn’t making things any easier. 

So, how can you protect yourself and your family if you are planning on moving during the time of physical distancing? A little preparation can keep COVID-19 from wreaking too much havoc to your moving plans. Your moving checklist is going to be a tiny bit longer, but the good news is you can safely relocate with just a few precautions. 

Here are a few tips from the American Moving Association and the CDC to make sure your move is safe and simple.

Using Moving Services

Moving services, self-storage facilities, and moving truck rentals are all considered essential services and are available at this time. Many of these businesses have already implemented CDC-recommended guidelines including sanitization procedures and PPEs for staff. If you use a moving service, many businesses offer virtual consultations to provide a quote, lowering the risk of exposure. Make sure you communicate fully with your moving company about the protocols of physical distancing when you schedule your moving date. 

Packing ahead of time will protect everyone involved with your move…including you! Pack, seal, and sanitize your boxes at least 24 hours before your moving team arrives to ensure they are fully disinfected. Prepare a sink with soap and water that your movers can access. If this isn’t possible, have a supply of hand sanitizer for yourself and your movers. 

DIY Moving

Sadly, it may not be possible to bribe your friends with pizza and beer to help you move during this time. Utilize all the resources available with a moving truck to protect yourself when lifting heavy boxes or furniture. Don’t use recycled or free cardboard boxes! While it may be tempting, these are hotbeds for bacteria and viruses. Determine what supplies are needed to pack for your move and so that you can make one trip to the store to get what you need. 

Clean as you pack! Take this opportunity to dust, clean, and disinfect any items in your home that don’t often get scrubbed. If you don’t have disinfectant, one tablespoon of bleach in one gallon of water will do the trick. 

How to Protect Your New Home

Don’t bring anything into your new home that shouldn’t be there! Throw out or donate old furniture and household items you never use. Why move something that will just collect dust in a new space? 

Speaking of dust, clean and sanitize your new home thoroughly once the movers are gone. Immunocompromised individuals may also want to wait 72 hours before spending time in your house. Communicate health concerns to your moving team so that a plan can be made for your move. If your health is a serious concern, consider postponing or canceling your move for a later date.

With a little extra preparation and a little more time, it is still possible to safely move in the time of physical distancing.

Comprehensive Moving Guide

Categories
Homebuying Homebuying Tips Loans Mortgages Purchase

Silver Linings: How to Make the Best of Buying a Home During a Recession

We are seeing the economic effects of COVID-19 in real-time. This “new normal” is going to be far-reaching, long-lasting, and will likely result in a lengthy recession. It’s not all gloom and doom, though. Markets fluctuate, but they are resilient. There are great ways to make the best of this bad situation, particularly if you plan on buying a home. 

If you have been patiently waiting for housing prices to go down, boy do we have news for you. There has never been a better time to buy. Historically low mortgage rates combined with motivated sellers make this a great buyer’s market. Job instability is a concern, but if you have a stable job situation and a little bit of money saved right now, it could be an opportune time to purchase a home. With less competition from other homebuyers and sellers willing to negotiate, this could be your chance to find your dream home. 

Here are some tips to put you in the best position to buy a home during a recession:

  1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Homebuyers who already have financing in place are in a better negotiating position. Having savings is always a bonus, but go ahead and get pre-approved before you start shopping so you can enter every conversation with confidence.
  2. Organize your finances. Don’t get too excited – just because a house is a good deal doesn’t mean you can afford it. Work on your budget. Make sure you take stock of all your assets and debts before you make any big decisions. 
  3. Do your research. With unstable markets, housing prices can fluctuate and give a false sense of value. Make sure you research your neighborhoods well! Knowing historic pricing for an area can give you a sense of objectivity when evaluating an offer.
  4. Get a home inspection. In uncertain times, sellers may be trying to offload homes with problems that are costly to repair. Be very thorough and make sure you’re not buying the home equivalent of a lemon! 
  5. Clear the title. Start with a clean slate. Sometimes the home of your dreams can be the property of your nightmares. Make sure that the property doesn’t have any liens from a contractor or a lending institution. Have a lawyer run the title of your new home to verify it will be transferred without risk.
  6. Use your bargaining power. Watch for motivated sellers. If the price has been reduced on the home several times over the last few months, it may be a signal that they have already moved and are holding the mortgage on two properties. In this situation, the seller may be willing to negotiate to cover closing costs and other fees in order to quickly complete the sale. 
  7. Avoid unnecessary fees. It’s your market right now! When houses move slowly, realtors will sometimes take a few percentage points off of a commission in order to get the deal signed. Negotiating these fees down before closing can benefit both the buyer and the seller, leaving everyone happy.
  8. Use logic. Have the emotional stability to walk away if it’s not the right deal for you. Wait until the right opportunity comes along before you commit.

Even with all these tips in mind, there is no such thing as a foolproof approach to the housing market. An unstable economy means there is risk involved in major purchases like a home, but fortune favors the bold. If you pay attention to these 8 tips, you may be able to find a tremendous deal by acting decisively while others are afraid to move.

Categories
Credit Homebuying Tips Loans Mortgages

Understanding How Debt Affects Your Mortgage

When determining a target price range for purchasing a home, it’s important to consider your existing debt, as this will affect what kind of mortgage you will qualify for. Your debt to income ratio, or DTI, is one of the most important metrics after your credit score. In this post, we cover everything that a homebuyer needs to know about their DTI and the effect that this will have on the mortgage process. 

What is DTI?

The primary tool mortgage lenders use when considering your application is your DTI, or debt to income ratio. In simple terms, this is the percentage of your income that you must set aside each month toward paying off your debts. This number can be as important as your base income and your credit score when determining your eligibility for a loan. 

Calculating your DTI

To calculate your DTI, lenders will divide your monthly debt obligations by your gross income. This seems simple enough, but this equation fails to take into account taxes, food, utilities, health insurance, transportation costs, or childcare. You will want the lowest DTI possible, not just to ensure a good mortgage rate, but also to be able to still live comfortably while paying off your debts. 

Front-end vs. Back-end DTI

There are two kinds of DTI: front-end DTI and back-end DTI. Front-end DTIs only include housing costs like future mortgage payments, insurance, property tax, and homeowner costs compared with your gross income. Back-end DTIs include all your other debts like credit card debt, student loan debt, and car loans compared with your gross income. Most mortgage lenders will take both DTIs into account when considering your application. 

What is the best debt-to-income ratio?

In order to get approved for a conventional mortgage, your back-end DTI should be less than 43%, however, with excellent credit, you may be eligible for up to 50%. If your ratio is higher than this, you could pay more interest or be denied for a loan. 

Even if your back-end DTI is lower than 43%, only you can determine the debt to income ratio that makes sense for your situation. Just because you can be approved for a loan at a good rate doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Some mortgage lenders do not have your best interest in mind. They just want to make the largest loan possible. Don’t be fooled! Make sure you do the math before you overcommit yourself to monthly mortgage payments. You know your household budget better than anyone. 

At the end of the day, we recommend paying extra on your debts and avoiding large purchases on credit to lower your DTI before you apply for a mortgage. This helps the mortgage process go smoothly so that you can have both your dream home and financial peace of mind.  

If you have questions about your financial situation or the mortgage process, feel free to reach out to any of our mortgage professionals at (205) 776-8401. 

Categories
Loans Mortgages Refinance

Making the Most of Refinancing Your Home

It seems like a pain to go through the mortgage process AGAIN just a few years after purchasing your home. Loan applications, appraisals, closings…why bother if your current mortgage payments already fit comfortably into your budget? Are the savings and benefits worth it? Even if you’re not considering a move, the time could be right to refinance your home. 

Do you have a child in college? Are you interested in starting a business? Refinancing your home can be a strategic way to dip into your own personal piggy bank to help in many different life situations.

What is refinancing?

“Refinancing” is getting a new mortgage to replace your original one. Instead of throwing out the original mortgage, the first loan is paid off when the new loan is created. Refinancing can improve the interest rate and term of the loan. 

When is refinancing a good idea?

Like many things, it’s a numbers’ game. There are two metrics to weigh as you consider when to refinance: your home’s value relative to the amount owed on your current mortgage and current interest rates. Over time, the value of your home should increase, and there could be more incentives to refinance. You can’t control the fluctuations in interest rates, but you can monitor them to find strategic opportunities. When your home’s value is up and the interest rates are down, you will get the maximum benefit from refinancing your home. 

We’ve had historically low-interest rates for a long time, and it’s difficult to tell when they might start to creep back up. With the current state of the economy, we recommend making refinancing decisions based on your personal financial situation rather than holding out for a possible future rate improvement. 

Why is refinancing beneficial?

Apart from just lowering your monthly mortgage payments, refinancing gives you options to utilize the equity you’ve built on your home. You can utilize the cash equity built up in your home to pay off credit card debt, a car loan, a student loan, or even start a business, buy a second home or an investment property. 

Decreasing your interest rate today by even one percentage point might make a bigger difference than you think. A 1% improvement could save you more than $20,000 per $100,000 financed over the term of a 30-year mortgage. 

Should I refinance?

MortgageRight can help explore all the different possibilities that open up to you when you refinance your home. Our trained mortgage specialists can help you explore the benefits of refinancing based on your situation to determine if now is the best time for you to take action. 

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Categories
Homebuying Homebuying Tips Loans Mortgages Purchase

MYTH: Now is Not a Good Time to Buy

Real Estate has appreciated a lot lately and we have heard many potential homebuyers say they’re thinking about waiting until prices come down to buy a home. If rising home values are keeping you on the sidelines, you may be waiting longer than you ever intended.

For instance, should you try and wait it out, the market may have gone up 20% before there is a 10% correction. And while you’re waiting for months or years, you may still pay 10% more for your new home after paying rent when you could have started paying off a new mortgage.

The right time to buy your first home is when you are ready; both financially and emotionally. And significant life events (getting married, relocating, landing a great new job, having children) generally drive the decision to consider purchasing instead of continuing to rent.

At MortgageRight, our experience tells us you cannot time the real estate market when data becomes available many months after market events take place. This, along with so many other variables, makes pinpointing a perfect time to buy nearly impossible.

If you are ready to buy your first home, this may be the right time to buy a home. Competitive interest rates and a variety of home loan programs are currently available that will can meet your needs today.

Don’t let this myth is deter you. Instead of continuing to make rent payments to a landlord, start making payments on your own home.

Contact MortgageRight. Our helpful loan associates area always ready to explain the process and your options.

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First-time Homebuyer Homebuying Homebuying Tips Loans Mortgages Purchase

Defining the First-Time Homebuyer

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) describes a first-time homebuyer as someone who meets any of the following conditions:

  • An individual who has not owned a principal residence for three years. A spouse is also considered a first-time homebuyer if he or she meets the above criteria. If you’ve owned a home but your spouse has not, then you can purchase a place together as first-time homebuyers.
  • A single parent who has only owned a home with a former spouse while married
  • A displaced homemaker who has only owned with a spouse.
  • An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations.
  • An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or model building codes – and which cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

Please contact MortgageRight at 205.776.8401 or Contact@belair.mortgageright.com for more information.

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Budgeting Down Payment Homebuying Homebuying Tips Mortgages Purchase

Mortgage Loans Offering Down Payment Assistance

Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers

Many first-time buyers think they need to have 20% saved up for a down payment, plus funds to cover closing costs. But if not having these funds is the only thing standing between you and buying your first home, don’t worry. Gift funds, down payment assistance, and specialty programs tailored specifically for first time buyers can help you move forward to get the home today.

First-time homebuyer programs are designed to help new buyers achieve their goals of homeownership. These programs generally help remove one of the largest obstacles first-time buyers must overcome when purchasing a home – The Down Payment.

There are even opportunities to qualify for a first-time program even if you have purchased a home before.

A larger down payment is generally recommended for buyers who want to avoid paying mortgage insurance, but saving those funds can take time. For many buyers, the money needed for a down payment can be one of the biggest hurdles to buying their first home.

Fortunately, there are loan programs that contain down payment assistance programs specifically designed to help first-time buyers who have little, or even no cash saved for a down payment.

So, if you have been worrying about where to find the funds needed to purchase your very first home, take a look at a few of the first-time homebuyer down payment assistance programs currently available today:

Loan Products

FHA Loans – FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, and these government backed loans have been designed specifically to help buyers achieve their goal of homeownership. FHA loans have lower down payment requirements compared to conventional (private lender) mortgages. With an FHA loan, your down payment can be as low as 3.5% and can be gifted to you from a family member or friend. FHA loan guidelines are also more lenient, and allow for lower credit scores and lower debt ratios. They will also allow the seller to contribute towards closing costs.

USDA Loans – The only government backed loan program that offers 100% financing for all qualifying borrowers, a USDA loan is a great option for first-time buyers looking for a zero down payment option. USDA loans do have some very specific eligibility requirements, including the location of the property. USDA 100% financing loans are intended for buyers who want to purchase rural property outside of major metro areas.

VA Loans – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs insures VA loans and helps veterans, active military persons, and surviving spouses purchase their dream homes. VA loans are available with up to 100% financing, have no mortgage insurance requirements, and offer more flexible eligibility guidelines.

From help with closing costs to 100% financing, MortgageRight can help you understand the many programs available to help first-time homebuyers achieve their goal of homeownership.

Buying your first home is exciting and you have many loan programs and options available to you. Partnering with an experienced mortgage loan officer is an important part of buying your first home. From help with closing costs to 100% financing, MortgageRight can help you understand the many programs available to help first-time homebuyers achieve their goal of homeownership.

Contact MortgageRight at 205.776.8401 or Contact@belair.mortgageright.com for more information.

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Categories
Budgeting Homebuying Homebuying Tips Loans Mortgages Purchase

Myth: 20% Down Payment Requirement To Purchase Your First Home

You Do Not Need a Large Down Payment to Qualify

According to a recent survey, nearly half of renters overestimate the up front costs of buying their first home. Too many believe they need to put 20% or more toward a down payment when buying a home.

That was most likely the case when your grandparents purchased their first home, but that is no longer the case.

While a 20% down payment is still considered standard, it is not the only option. Fortunately, there are loan programs that contain down payment assistance options that are designed to help first-time buyers who have little, or even no cash saved for a down payment.

In fact, there are many programs that allow buyers to put down as little as 3%. Statistics show that 7 out of 10 first tie homebuyers make a down payment of 5% or less and some first-time homebuyer programs offer NO MONEY DOWN. And as many as 15% of those who have purchased homes within the last 2 years have financed with 0% down.

Perhaps the reason for this supposed myth is due to Private Mortgage Insurance. When you finance a home with less than 20% down, you also have to pay PMI every month until you reach the required equity of 20%. This is true of regular conventional loans, but not for FHA loans which can go as low as 3.5% equity.

At first glance this may seem risky, but the Government wanted more Americans to be able to achieve the American dream. To achieve this and boost homeownership, they created the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and began offering government backed loans that were insured against default (insurance to the mortgage company or bank in case the borrower ever defaulted on the loan). This made lending to borrowers with a lower down payment and credit scores a reality.

For instance, the FHA will back a loan for a borrower with a 500-579 credit score and a 10% down payment. If the borrower has at least a 580 credit score, they only need a 3.5% down payment to qualify for an FHA mortgage (borrower may pay more over time). Conventional loans programs offer down payments between 3% and 5%. Veterans, military service members and eligible surviving spouses can get mortgages with a down payment as little as zero.

In an analysis of historical loan data by Laurie Goodman, Jun Zhu, and Taz George with the Urban Institute shows why government-backed investors like Fannie Mae see relatively little risk in qualifying mortgage loans with down payments as low as 3-5%. The data shows that credit is a stronger indicator of default risk than down payment size. The percentage of defaults of 5-10% down loans versus 3-5% down is very similar.

“Of loans that originated in 2011 with a down payment between 3-5 percent, only 0.4 percent of borrowers have defaulted. For loans with slightly larger down payments – between 5-10 percent – the default rate was exactly the same. The story is similar for loans made in 2012, with 0.2 percent in the 3-5 percent down payment group defaulting, versus 0.1 percent of loans in the 5-10 percent down payment group.” – Urban Institute

If you’re in the process of buying a home for the first time, you probably have some questions about the best way to find and finance your dream home. At MortgageRight, our goal is to make sure you have the education and support you need. That starts with dispelling many common myths about mortgages and home buying.

Please contact MortgageRight at 205.776.8401 or Contact@belair.mortgageright.com for more information.

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