The holidays are around the corner which might mean equal parts joy and stress are added to your plate. For many people, November and December seem like the worst time to think of buying or selling a home. In this 2-part series, we're going to discuss the positive reasons why now is the perfect time to buy or sell a home and how to make the most out of this "wonderful" time of year.
Part I: Buying a Home During the Holidays
Whether you have thinking about purchasing a home for a while or you're finally thinking of jumping off the fence and taking the plunge into home ownership, we're here to tell you that now might be the best time to be in the market. As we have mentioned in other posts, we strongly advocate that you spend some time deciding the features that matter most, work with a qualified real estate agent and get pre-qualified (or Mortgage Assured) with a reputable lender.
Read more »
Whether you are looking to open a credit card, finance a car or buy a home...you've probably noticed that your credit score is important. A credit score is essentially used to assess how likely it is that a borrower will repay a loan. The score measures the relative degree of risk that a potential person represents to a lender or investor and is based on several areas of information (however, because of several laws against discrimination - it is not based on gender, race age or zip code.)
Credit Bureaus & Score Range
Fair, Isaac Credit Bureau scores range between 300 to 850 points - the higher the score, the less risk associated with the borrower. Below are the three national credit data repositories that contribute to your score:
- Equifax - 800-685-1111
- Trans Union - 800-888-4213
- Experian - 800-397-3742
Each of these bureaus may offer you a slightly different credit score depending on the data within their own credit profile. Keep in mind that a score is based on all credit-related data - not just negative data.
Read more »
You're ready to buy or refinance – but whether this is your first or fourth loan – you may find that working with a loan officer to be confusing and difficult. Having a clear understanding of what you want and how to communicate with your mortgage professional is critical for success. To keep everything running smoothly – make sure you discuss the following topics with your loan officer.
1 - Communication Style
Mortgage professionals will communicate with you in a variety of ways including by phone, email and text. Some are tech savvy and others prefer traditional methods. The point is to be clear about what YOU prefer. If you respond more quickly to text messages versus voicemail - tell your loan officer. Often times, there are time sensitive issues that arise during the loan process, so it will make everyone happy if your loan officer knows how to get questions answered, additional documentation etc. in a timely manner.