Getting A Loan

A loan is a part of almost every real estate transaction. Few people are able to buy a property for cash. Even if they can there is often a better use for the money when you consider the tax advantages of a mortgage on your primary residence. Take into consideration the following factors when you are preparing to buy your home.

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Pre-Approval

Seeking complete pre-approval for financing prior to making an offer on a property is a sound strategy that can help you get the best deal possible, especially if you plan to make a minimal down payment. The seller is often leery of the stability and reliability of the buyer if the buyer is only capable of making a down payment of 10% or less. This can cause the buyer to lose a significant amount of negotiating ability, by being perceived as a weak buyer rather than a strong one. This is why it is very important to get full loan approval in advance and provide a written confirmation of the loan approval when an offer is made. This shows it is a done deal, and you are perceived to be a cash buyer.

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Rate Shopping

Shopping for the best interest rate possible has always been the consumer’s primary objective when borrowing money. As well it should be! The challenge with this strategy is that there is much misleading information released on the subject by various media. Internet websites and email marketing, along with other media such as radio, TV and billboard advertising, has brought the importance of interest rates to the forefront of consumer’s mind.

The problem for the consumer with this type of marketing is that it is designed to make the lender’s phone ring. Often, the advertiser offers an interest rate at ridiculously low price, with the intent of using a bait-and-switch technique once the client is reeled in. This is often done through short pricing. Short pricing is a term that is used when a lender offers an extremely attractive interest rate, but that rate is only locked-in for a very brief period of time.

Know up front that the average consumer enters into a purchase contract to buy a home for at least 30 days. Pricing on an interest rate locked in for a 10-day period is of no use to most prospective home buyers. It simply isn't enough time to complete the transaction. While the billboard advertising or Internet banner ad may boast a terrific rate, the lock-in period is often not realistic in terms of providing enough time to negotiate a purchase contract and close the deal. Be very careful when shopping for interest rates. Make sure that when you are quoted a rate, you are asking the broker what the lock duration is. Make sure that lock period allows you enough time to complete your purchase transaction.

Another common marketing ploy that makes interest rates appear attractive is geared around the manner in which fees are presented. All lenders are required by law to state the real cost of the financing through the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) each time an interest rate is quoted in advertising. APR takes all fees associated with the loan into consideration, and it is usually listed in fine print as a disclaimer.

Advertisers often list a low interest rate in large bold type, but the higher to those goals.
APR indicates in fine print that one or two points are being charged to get that rate.

While APR can be helpful in comparing rates seen in advertising, it is important for consumers to know that all lenders do not calculate APR in the same way. Hence it is not an entirely failsafe method for comparing interest rates.

Additionally, the consumer must take into consideration that the interest rate is not the only important factor in obtaining financing. Another equally important question to answer is, "How long do you need to borrow this money?"

The length of time you need to borrow the money has a profound impact on whether or not you should be paying upfront fees (points), and likewise has bearing on your loan program selection.

Statistically, a first time home buyer usually stays in their new home between 3.2 and 4.7 years. One of the common mistakes made by first time home buyers is selecting a 30-Year Fixed Rate loan program for financing. The chance of needing the financing for 30 years is actually slim to none. Statistics show the buyer will most likely not be in the home for 30 years, and if the home buyer is somewhat transient in their job or is planning a family in the near future, the home may not really meet the buyer's long-term needs.

First time buyers are often solicited with FHA loans and other types of low-money-down programs that are contingent upon 30-year financing. The interest rates that are offered, regardless of how low they might be, are often irrelevant.

Statistically, an interest rate that is fixed for three, five or seven years is a much more realistic option for the first time home buyer. This allows the buyer to capitalize on a low introductory rate and save a significant amount of money, which can then go toward the down payment on their next home. It is of utmost importance to work with an experienced loan consultant that understands some of the practical aspects of financial planning. A well-versed consultant will ask you many questions about your short- and long-term goals, and assist you in choosing a loan program that is truly suited to those goals.

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Points vs. No Points

Points are often a misunderstood concept for first time home buyers. Points are nothing other than interest paid up front (at the time of closing), to obtain a lower interest rate on a loan. One point is equivalent to 1% of the amount of money borrowed. If you are going to borrow $300,000 on your loan, one point would equal $3,000 up front. This generally generates 1/4 to 3/8 of a percent lower interest rate, depending upon the loan program.

When does it make sense to pay points? Paying points is a prudent financial move, if you are planning to be in the loan for a long period of time. Again, one of the most important questions to address when you borrow money is, "How long do you need to borrow this money?" This will answer the two all-prevailing questions you will have, which are
1) Should I pay points? And 2) What loan program is best for me? Notice that the question is not geared to, "How long do I plan to live in the home?" But more appropriately, "How long am I likely to be in this loan?" How long you will be in the loan is not only affected by the tenure that you own the home, but also the probability of seeking a refinance at some point in the future. As a general rule of thumb, you will need to be able to recuperate the total cost of the points in a period of time that is less than the amount of time you will need to borrow the money.

Here's an example. Let's say you are going to borrow $300,000 for your mortgage, and choose to pay one point, which equates to an initial up front closing cost of $3,000. If paying one point up front saves you $100 a month, this means it will take you 30 months or 2.5 years, to recuperate the cost of the point that you paid. If you refinance the home anytime before that 30 month mark, or decide to sell the home, you will have effectively wasted money. However, if you stay in the home for longer than a 30-month period of time, it is a prudent financial move.

When deciding whether or not you should pay points, take into consideration where interest rates are at when you seek financing, and compare that to historical market trends.

When interest rates are at historical lows, it makes much more sense to pay points, especially if you think you will live in the property for an extended period of time. Historically low rates, combined with the fact that you know you do not intend to move would indicate you will have longevity in the loan. It is unlikely rates will go down, giving you incentive to refinance.

Rates are cyclical. When interest rates are off of their historical lows, and higher than they generally are, we know that there is a strong likelihood rates will eventually come down. This is certainly no time to pay points. The chances of refinancing at some point in the future are extremely high, and therefore, you would not need to be in this loan for a long period of time.

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Credit Scoring

Your credit score is a factor that will be considered by the lender when they look at your loan application. They want to know what your credit history is, and whether you have the ability to pay back the loan you are asking for. In short, good credit translates into lower rates for the home buyer and represents less risk to the lender.

Credit scores can range between a low score of 350 and a high of 850. The higher the client's score is, the less likely they are to default on their loan. We will run a credit report and determine what your credit score is, and if necessary, we can point out some simple ways to help you improve your credit score without enlisting the help of a credit repair service.
Once you fill out a loan application and enter into the loan process, you should not run up your charge cards! This would have an adverse effect on how the underwriter looks at your file.

If you have a poor credit score, it doesn't mean you can't qualify at all for a loan. There are loan programs available even if you've had a recent bankruptcy. While you may not get the interest rate you had hoped for, it is an opportunity to start building up your credit again. Once you begin making mortgage payments on time and in full, your credit standing will improve and we can seek to refinance you at a lower rate as soon as the opportunity arises.

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Pre-payment Penalties

Lenders attach pre-payment penalties to loans to ensure that the loan will be profitable for them. As a general rule of thumb, we do not suggest that you accept a prepayment penalty as a part of your loan structure. One of the most important aspects of financial planning is to have options with your money. Restrictive clauses such as a pre-payment penalty can prohibit you from maneuvering when it is necessary and when other opportunities arise.

If you want to accept a pre-payment penalty clause in your loan, it is much more advisable to go with a "soft pre-pay." This only penalizes you in the event of a refinance, but not if you decide to sell the home.

Interest rates have dropped significantly many times over the last 15 years. Many home owners have not been able to take advantage of lowered rates by refinancing, because their hands have been tied by a daunting pre-payment penalty. Pre-payment penalties will generally provide you with a slightly lower interest rate in exchange for the prepayment penalty clause. Mortgage professionals will sometimes push the benefits of a prepayment penalty so they can beef up their commission. Be very leery of this type of sales pitch!

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Negative Amortization

Negative amortization loans are some of the most misunderstood loans available in the market place. The negative stigma (no pun intended) comes from a lack of education to the consumer by mortgage professionals. The only way you can get into trouble with a negatively amortized loan is if you truly don't understand how it works, or if you lack the financial discipline to make sure you are not allowing yourself to fall into a compromising position.

In a regularly amortized mortgage payment, part of the payment goes toward a portion of the principal and part goes toward interest payment. In a loan that involves the potential for negative amortization, you have several payment options each month. You can make a low introductory rate payment, an interest-only payment, or a fully amortized payment.
This type of loan works very well for borrowers with a seasonal income, or income that fluctuates. Certified Public Accountants, investment advisors, and sales people who work on a commission basis often go with this type of a loan because it allows them to have greater control over their cash flow on a month-to-month basis.

Once again, each and every month you must choose between three payment options. Let's understand how a negatively amortized adjustable rate mortgage works. All adjustable rate mortgages require the lender to add a fixed component (which is known as the margin) to the varying portion of the adjustable known as the index (T-Bill, Libor,
11th District Cost of Funds, etc.).
In an adjustable rate mortgage, the margin + the index = your interest rate.

If your fixed margin is 3 and at the time of an adjustment the varying index of a treasury bill is 4, then your interest rate is 7%. Negatively amortized loans typically adjust on a monthly basis, which means that every single month the lender takes the fixed margin and adds it to the varying index to derive your current interest rate. One of the protections vehicles of an adjustable rate mortgage is called CAPS. CAPS limit the amount that your payment can go up in any monthly period of time. In a negatively amortized adjustable it is common to have a 7.5%annual increase CAP.

For example: If your mortgage payment in the calendar year of 2003 was $1,000 per month, the most that your mortgage could be in the calendar year of 2004 is 1,075dollars per month.

This is because the annual payment increase CAP of 7.5% would kick in and limit an obligated payment to the lender to a maximum of 7.5% increase over the previous year's payment. However, during each of those months the lender would still add the fixed margin to the varying index to derive what the true interest rate is and calculate the mortgage payment associated with that true interest rate. If in fact the payment in this example came out to $1,100 a month, you would still only be obligated to pay $1,075. However the $25 difference would be tacked on to your principal balance that you owe, therefore accruing interest against your principal and increasing the balance that you owe on your loan to more than you originally borrowed. Hence the term "negative amortization" comes into play.

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Junk Fees

A junk fee is a derogatory term defining extra fees tacked on by the lender, which are charged as a dollar figure rather than a percentage. It is important to know that you can often negotiate these fees or have them removed if they have not been properly disclosed to you. The lender is required to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate disclosing their fees within three days of your application.

Other fees that are NOT considered junk fees are the appraisal fee, credit report fee, escrow or attorney fee, title insurance fee, recording fee, notary fee and transfer taxes. These are legitimate fees that are paid to third parties and are necessary to complete the transaction.

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Finding the Right Property

Once you have determined what kind of loan you can get and how much you can afford, it is time to start defining what kind of property you are looking for.

Your Realtor®

I can help you determine what you are looking for and help you find exactly what you want. I am a member of the Southern California Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and the California Association of Realtors (CAR). As a Realtor I have sworn to uphold a Code of Ethics. I will be held accountable by the CAR to always put the clients interests first at all times. It also provides a means for dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and if necessary disciplinary action.

As a member of the MLS I have access to tons of useful tools not available to the general public. I also have the experience and knowledge to help make your search easier. You can confide in me and trust me to help you in this big life decision.

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Your Needs and Desires

Before we start looking at properties we need to determine what you need, what you want and what you don't want. It may be important to differentiate between what is required and what is desired, especially when trying to see what kind of home you can afford. Things to consider are:

Why are you moving?

Evaluate what you like about your current residence and what you dislike about it. Use these factors when determining what your next home will be like.

When do you want to move?

This can play an important part in determining how choosy you can be and how to negotiate your contract.

Type of property:

Single Family Home
This type of property has it's own yard, utilities, parking and usually has no walls in common with neighboring properties. Newer construction has created a new category of Single Family Residence (SFR) that are called Single Family Residence - Attached that share one or more walls with neighboring properties, but do not have any common areas that are jointly owned.

Condominium
This property is usually attached to other properties or is in the same building as other residences. Condominiums share common areas that are maintained by a Home Owners Association. The Association Fees are an important consideration when determining how much you can afford to pay monthly for your mortgage.

Town House
A town house is a type of condominium that usually has more than one floor.

Land to build
Building your own house can be a great adventure. You can pick and choose exactly what features you want and have the house of your dreams. A construction loan has slightly different requirements than a purchase loan and this should be part of your decision to build rather than buy a finished property. Contractors will require payment usually weekly and usually the bank only allows draws on the construction loan upon completion of a particular phase of construction. You will have to pay interest on any draws while you are still making your current mortgage payment or rent payment until the building is finished and the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

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Neighborhood/Area

Information on Orange County neighborhoods can be found on my neighborhood info page.

Rooms

How many bedrooms and bathrooms are needed? Are any specialty rooms required? Do you need a home office or a garage with a workbench? Is a formal dining room a necessity, or something you can do without?

Price Range

Determine what you can afford for a monthly payment and visit my Mortgage Calculator page to determine your spending limit.

Features

Any other requirements that you may have: Pool, RV parking, fireplace, etc.

School District

For information on Orange County School Districts please visit my School Information page.

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Making an Offer

Once you have found your ideal home, you will make an offer on the property. Here your Realtor® is a great asset in following the proper procedures and using the latest forms developed by the California Association of Realtors (CAR) and only available to its members. I can assure you that the combined real estate and legal expertise of the CAR has taken every possible measure to make sure your transaction goes smoothly.

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The Nuances Of Your Contract

The process of purchasing your first home is often much more complex than the average individual expects it to be. Items involved In your purchase contract can I have a I significant impact not only on the success of your purchase transaction, but on your stress level as well. We have listed out some of the important items you should be aware of, that require you to make decisions as a buyer entering into a purchase contract.

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Loan Contingency

Loan contingency is the period of time the seller is giving you to obtain full, formal loan approval. This contingency is typically between 15 and 21 days depending on what you and your Real Estate Agent have negotiated on your behalf in the contract. The earnest money deposit that you put into an escrow account at the time the offer is accepted will be put in jeopardy once that contingency for the loan has expired. In fact, pursuant to the terms of the contract, if the loan contingency has expired and you fail to close the purchase transaction, you can lose your earnest money deposit and not have the failure of obtaining loan approval to lean on as an excuse.

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Contract Period

The contract period is the period of time in which all due diligence must be completed, including obtaining loan approval, property appraisal, home inspection reports, termite inspection, etc. Give yourself enough time for all due diligence to be completed for this very important purchase you are about to make. Typically, purchase contracts are
drawn up for a period of 30 days, 45 days or 60 days. However, it is really not uncommon for a purchase contract to be written with terms in excess of 60 days if the parties involved need that long of a grace period to complete all aspects of due diligence.

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Home Inspection Contingency

As part of the negotiation in your purchase contract you and the seller will mutually agree upon the amount of time needed to complete all the home inspection procedures that are required. Utilizing an outside third party service to complete these inspections is highly recommended.

You will be provided with a report by the home inspection company that you should review very thoroughly to make sure there are no material defects in the property that you were not aware of, and which could subsequently have an impact on the value of the property. If there are material defects, you and your Real Estate Agent should go back to the negotiating table and discuss an ample reduction in the purchase price to offset the cost of any necessary repairs. Once your home inspection contingency has expired, you no longer have the leverage to go back and renegotiate the purchase price to resolve any issues revealed by the home inspection.

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Termite Inspection

Termite inspection is required by the lender if it is listed in the purchase contract. One common fallacy in the home buying process is that the lender always requires termite inspection, regardless of what the contract states. This is not true. A lender only requires it if the buyer and the seller mutually agree to termite inspection and it is included in the terms of the contract. From there, it is up to both parties to determine who will be responsible for the remedy of the problem, if in fact termites are present. Most commonly, the solution is that Section 1termite work will be covered by the seller, and Section 2 termite work to be covered by the buyer. Make sure when you negotiate your contract you state up front whether you want the property checked for termites.

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Seller Rent Back

It is often the case that when the buyer and seller are unable to agree upon a specified closing date for the transaction, the Real Estate Agent involved will negotiate a "rent back" period. This means the transaction technically closes, the loan funds and ownership of the property is transferred into the buyer's name, but the buyer does not take occupancy of the property until several days later. In this scenario, the buyer sets up a rental agreement, in which the property is leased back to the seller.

An important footnote to this somewhat common strategy is to make sure the seller is not occupying the property in a lease agreement for more than 30 days after the close of the purchase transaction. This would constitute a non-owner occupied purchase in the lender's eyes, and would cause the terms of the loan to change radically.

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Seller Contributions

Depending on the seller's eagerness to close the transaction, the seller of a property will often become aggressive and offer to pay some or all of the nonrecurring closing costs and/or origination points associated with the purchase on the buyer's behalf. This common strategy can be very beneficial to the buyer, particularly if the buyer is short on funds to close. It can also be the vehicle that effectively drives the interest rate down and provides the buyer with a more affordable monthly payment.

Note that there are limitations on how much the seller is permitted to contribute, depending on the loan-to-value ratio. The typical limitation stipulated by the lender is that the seller contributes no more than 6% of the purchase price. Seller contributions MUST BE isolated to nonrecurring closing costs and/or origination points only. The lender will not -permit the seller to contribute funds back to the buyer after the close of escrow to accommodate repairs to the property. Items such as roof leakage, new carpet, new paint, etc., cannot be covered by any seller contribution clause.

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