There is a lot that goes into the purchase of a home. While it is incredibly exciting; it is not likely something that you will do frequently throughout your life to where it seems to be “old hat” or familiar and dull. The process of getting a mortgage takes time, energy and can be an emotional one. (Read more about the process here.) But is it all worth it? I certainly feel like it is. I love pulling up to my house on a Friday night with a weekend full of plans which all involve this home—a place where I’ve created lasting memories and am eager to form more. I found that when it comes to cleaning, I enjoy it more at my house than I did at my apartment.
It goes without saying that you have already told Bella, Sadie, Max, Buddy and Bear all about their new home! About that window that lets in the warmest afternoon sun. About the backyard that gives plenty of room to chase a tennis ball. About the squirrels that come right up on the porch, so they can watch them all day. Is that enough to prepare your dog, cat or other pet for a move? Unless you have a gold fish or hamster, there may be more to it!
Online shopping is on the rise and that goes for houses too! You can even get alerts that tell you when a house that matches your criteria comes on the market, but does that mean that you don’t need a Realtor? Not necessarily. A Realtor can save you time, money and head ache. Navigating the legal transaction of purchasing a home can be tricky and it helps to have an experienced, trained professional on your side.
For years, the Department of Veteran Administration (VA) has offered veterans and their families a home loan program full of great benefits like no down payment requirement, no mortgage insurance required, and fewer limiting qualifications that can be found in other loan programs. For a home to qualify it must meet minimum property requirements. These requirements were put into place to protect the buyer from unexpected, and usually expensive, repairs. VA’s minimum property requirements centered around safety, sanitation, and structural stability; features such as mechanical systems (HVAC), a reliable potable water supply, and sewage disposal. Also, included in the requirements were roofs in good shape and no presence of lead paint.
When it comes to getting approved for a mortgage it’s understood that there are lot of required documents which means a lot of gathering of information for the borrower. We’ve included a list of required documents below, which you will need to provide when getting a mortgage. You can also download a printable version of our loan document checklist here.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, down payments are one of the most overwhelming parts of buying a home, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. There are so many questions and concerns about if the amount is enough, is it too much, how I can ever save up that much… the list goes on! I know this, and you know this, so it stands to reason that mortgage companies and housing agencies know this too.
Hearing that your loan has been cleared to close is that light at the end of the tunnel! There are so many factors that go into getting someone approved for a mortgage and so many moving parts that it becomes a bit like you are holding your breath through the whole process. You can read more about the process of getting a mortgage, on our first time home buyer page. What can you expect from your closing day and after?
When this single mother and school teacher walked into her local Stockton Mortgage office, she was frazzled. What started out as a promising endeavor, purchasing her first home, took a turn for the worse when she realized what all was involved in buying a fixer upper. Once Joe Daly, Stockton’s Director of Renovation Lending, came into the picture things went much smoother— within 31 days her home loan was closed, and the renovations commenced on the home where she would raise her daughter.
The realization that borrowing money costs more than just spending it out right may be one of the greatest disappointments of becoming an adult. My sweet son suggested, “just use your credit card” in response to my statement, “I don’t have the money for that”. Oh, to be innocent again. However, as it stands, it does cost money to be in debt. Did you know that you may be able to spend less on your debt?
