Archive

Posts Tagged ‘san diego realtors’

Real Estate Negotiating

October 9th, 2009

The Negotiation Process

When you have found the San Diego, Ca home that best meets your needs, you are ready to make an offer on the California house. In most cases your real estate agent will present your offer to the seller. Do not be discouraged if your first offer is rejected by the seller. It is not uncommon for the seller to make a counter-offer on a San Diego home.

Once the selling price has been agreed upon by both the buyer and seller, a purchase contract is started. In most cases, your San Diego, Ca real estate agent will help you negotiate the terms of the purchase contract. The purchase contract is a legal contract that details the final terms for the purchase of the home including price, closing date, and estimates on the closing costs. By signing the purchase contract, it means you have agreed to purchase the property under the negotiated terms and price. Although some closing cost fees are required by law, you can negotiate closing cost and fees as part of the purchase offer.  These fees could be buyer credits for repairs, points and discounts points on a San Diego Ca mortgage loan.  Check with your lender in your state and they will let you know what is allowed under state law and the type of loan you are going to be making the purchase with.

What’s included in closing costs? 
Who pays for what?There are no definitive rules on who pays which closing costs. The buyer and the seller usually negotiate who pays certain closing costs. For instance, the seller may be willing to negotiate full or partial payment of appraisal fees, loan points, credit report request, and inspection fees. Usually the seller is responsible for the brokerage fees, as this is compensation to the real estate agents for their roles in the sale of the home.
Earnest Money – Typically required as part of the purchase contract, earnest money provides a “good faith” deposit and secures the sale agreement. This deposit is usually a portion of the purchase price. This deposit shows that the buyer is serious about purchasing the house. Earnest money is held in an escrow account for the buyer and can be applied toward the down payment or closing costs. In some cases, the buyer must pay the deposit in cash.

 Source: Hud . Gov

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Diigo
  • Faves
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • SphereIt
  • Wikio
  • Sphinn

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Housing Related Expenses

October 3rd, 2009

Housing-related expenses

San Diego, CA Housing-related expenses are another category San Diego lenders consider. These expenses often depend on the location and type of home you are buying. These expenses will affect the size of the loan for which you qualify and may be one of the most critical factors in your decision to buy a home. Consider how housing-related expenses will impact your budget. The purchase of a San Diego California home may increase your monthly expenses and reduce the amount of money you have remaining for other expenditures.

YPTH’s Affordability calculator provides estimates on typical home expenses that include:

Property tax – This expense is dependent on the location of the San Diego home. Property taxes vary by county and state. As a homebuyer, consider how this additional expense will impact your total monthly expenses.
Maintenance costs – This expense includes anything from faucet washers to a new roof or heating system and varies by geographic location, size, and age of home.
Utility costs – This expense includes items such as electric, gas, water, and heating and air conditioning and varies by geographic location, size, season, and age of home. The type of construction (i.e. gas, electric) may also be a factor in your utility cost estimates.
Mortgage insurance (if applicable) – This expense can vary by San Diego Ca mortgage insurance company, lender, loan product, and loan-to-value percentage of the loan.
Other Costs – These expenses vary depending on the type of home and geographic location. These costs can include:
Homeowner association fees
Flood insurance
Other required property insurance
Condominium assessment fees and
Other condominium escrow items.

 
  
  Homeowner’s Tax Benefits

Purchasing a home can provide valuable tax savings to homebuyers. San Diego Mortgage interest, property tax, and other payments associated with financing a home can apply to your tax deductions. They may decrease the amount of income tax you must pay to the federal government.
Another financial advantage to owning a home is that as you begin to pay off your mortgage loan, you build equity in your property. In other words, the value of your home can increase as your total San Diego Ca mortgage amount decreases over time.
For those who rent, the tax savings of ownership go to the landlord, not to the tenants. Wouldn’t you rather build equity for yourself every month instead of paying someone else and giving away “your” tax savings?

Source: Ginnie Mae . Gov

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Diigo
  • Faves
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • SphereIt
  • Wikio
  • Sphinn

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nine Steps To Buying A Home

September 30th, 2009

Nine steps to buying a San Diego Ca home

Figure out how much you can afford
Know your rights
Shop for a loan
Learn about homebuying programs
Shop for a home
Make an offer
Get a home inspection
Shop for homeowners insurance
Sign papers

Step 1: Figure out how much you can afford
What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, downpayment and the interest rate.  It is best to visit a lender or call a San Diego Broker to find out for sure.

 
Step 2: Know your home buyer rights
   Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All – brochure 
   Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) 
   Borrower’s rights 
   Predatory lending 

 Source Hud.Gov

 

203(b) Mortgage Insurance
   
 
What is the purpose of this program?

To provide mortgage insurance for a person to purchase or refinance a principal California residence. The San Diego Ca mortgage loan is funded by a lending institution, such as a mortgage company, bank, savings and loan association and the mortgage is insured by HUD.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The San Diego, Ca loan borrower must meet standard FHA credit qualifications.
The borrower is eligible for approximately 97% financing. The borrower is able to finance the upfront mortgage insurance premium into the San Diego mortgage. The borrower will also be responsible for paying an annual premium.
Eligible properties are one-to-four unit structures.
To learn more about the mortgage limits in your area

Step 3: Shop for a home mortgage loan
Save money by doing your homework. Talk to several lenders, compare costs and interest rates, negotiate to get a better deal. Consider getting pre-approved for a loan.

   Looking for the best San Diego Ca mortgage: shop, compare, negotiate – brochure 
   Let FHA help you 
   Why Ask for an FHA Loan? 
   Learn about interest only loans 
   Avoid Predatory Lenders 

Step 4: Learn about homebuying programs
   Homebuying programs in your state 

FHA loan programs offer lower downpayments and are a good option for first-time homebuyers.

   Let FHA help you 
   HUD’s special homebuying programs    Good Neighbor Next Door (formerly known as Teacher/Officer/Firefighter Next Door) 
   Hurricane Evacuees discounted sales 
   Homeownership for public housing residents 
   Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program (Section 184) 
 

Step 5: Shop for a home
   Choose a real estate agent 
   Wish list – what features do you want? 
   Home-shopping checklist – take this list with you when comparing homes 
   Homes for sale (including HUD homes) 
   ” Fixer-uppers ” – home purchase and repair programs 
   Manufactured (mobile) homes 
   Build a home 

If you choose a home in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association (HOA), be sure to request a copy of the HOA packet, so you can review before closing.

  Back to Top   
Step 6: Make an offer
Discuss the process with your San Diego real estate agent. If the seller counters your offer, you may need to negotiate until you both agree to the terms of the sale.

   Making an offer 

Step 7: Get a home inspection
Make your offer contingent on a home inspection. An inspection will tell you about the condition of the home, and can help you avoid buying a San Diego, Ca home that needs major repairs.

   For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection 
   10 Questions to ask a home inspector 

Step 8: Shop for homeowners insurance
Lenders require that you have homeowners insurance. Be sure to shop around.

   Homeowners insurance 
   12 ways to lower your homeowners insurance costs 

Step 9: Sign papers
You’re finally ready to go to “settlement” or “closing.” Be sure to read everything before you sign!

   Settlement Costs and Helpful Information 

Source:  Hud .Gov

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Diigo
  • Faves
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • SphereIt
  • Wikio
  • Sphinn

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

VA Loan Eligibility

September 22nd, 2009

General Rules for Eligibility

Military Service Requirements for VA Loan Eligibility:

Note:  Applications involving other than honorable discharges will usually require further development by VA.  This is necessary to determine if the service was under other than dishonorable conditions.

Wartime – Service During:

WWII: 9/16/1940 to 7/25/1947
Korean: 6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
Vietnam: 8/5/1964 to 5/7/1975
You must have at least 90 days on active duty and been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.  If you served less than 90 days, you may be eligible if discharged for a service connected disability.

Peacetime – Service during periods:

7/26/1947 to 6/26/1950
2/1/1955 to 8/4/1964
5/8/1975 to 9/7/1980 (Enlisted)
5/8/1975 to 10/16/1981 (Officer)
You must have served at least 181 days of continuous active duty and been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.  If you served less than 181 days, you may be eligible for a Veterans Guaranteed mortgage loan if discharged for a service connected disability.

Service after 9/7/1980 (enlisted) or 10/16/1981 (officer)

If you were separated from service which began after these dates, you must have:

Completed 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 181 days) for which you were ordered or called to active duty and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or
Completed at least 181 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (Hardship), or 10 USC 1171 (Early Out), or have been determined to have a compensable service-connected disability;
Been discharged with less than 181 days of service for a service-connected disability.  Individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or, in some instances for the convenience of the Government.
Gulf War – Service during period 8/2/1990 to date yet to be determined

If you served on active duty during the Gulf War, you must have:

Completed 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 90 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty, and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or
Completed at least 90 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (Hardship), or 10 USC 1173 (Early Out), or have been determined to have a compensable service-connected disability, or
Been discharged with less than 90 days of service for a service-connected disability.  Individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or, in some instances, for the convenience of the Government.

If you are a veteran living in the San Diego area and are considering a San Diego Ca Mortgage loan that is backed by the Veterans Administration you can obtain further information at the VA website.
Active Duty Service Personnel

If you are now on regular duty (not active duty for training), you are eligible after having served 181 days (90 days during the Gulf War) unless discharged or separated from a previous qualifying period of active duty service.

Selected Reserves or National Guard

If you are not otherwise eligible and you have completed a total of 6 years in the Selected Reserves or National Guard (member of an active unit, attended required weekend drills and 2-week active duty for training) and

Were discharged with an honorable discharge, or
Were placed on the retired list, or
Were transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service characterized as honorable service, or
Continue to serve in the Selected Reserves
Individuals who completed less than 6 years may be eligible if discharged for a service-connected disability.

You May also be determined eligible if you:

Are an unremarried spouse of a veteran who died while in service or from a service connected disability, or
Are a spouse of a serviceperson missing in action or a prisoner of war
Note:  Also, a surviving spouse who remarries on or after attaining age 57, and on or after December 16, 2003, may be eligible for the home loan benefit.  However, a surviving spouse who remarried before December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, must apply no later than December 15, 2004, to establish home loan eligibility.  VA must deny applications from surviving spouses who remarried before December 6, 2003 that are received after December 15, 2004.

Eligibility may also be established for:

Certain United States citizens who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in WW II.
Individuals with service as members in certain organizations, such as Public Health Service officers, cadets at the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy, midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, officers of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, merchant seaman with WW II service, and others.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Diigo
  • Faves
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • SphereIt
  • Wikio
  • Sphinn

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Veterans Guaranteed Home Loan Process

September 21st, 2009

VA-Guaranteed Home Loans for San Diego, CA Veterans
Veteran’s Guaranteed Loan 13 Step Process
 
1. What VA Can Do
2. What VA Cannot Do
3. Requirements For San Diego, California MortgageVA Loan Approval
4. The Guaranty
5. Service Eligibility
6. Eligible Loan Purposes
7. Applying For the Loan
8. Loan Repayment Terms
9. Repayment Plans
10. Downpayment Requirements
11. Interest Rates
12. Closing Costs
13. Funding Fee
Equal Housing Opportunity
 
 
The main purpose of the VA home loan program is to help veterans finance the purchase of homes with favorable loan terms and at a rate of interest which is competitive with the rate charged on other type of mortgage loans. For VA housing loan purposes, the term “veteran” includes certain members of the Selected Reserve, active duty service personnel and certain categories of spouses.

This artcle should help you to understand what VA can and cannot do for the San Diego, Ca mortgage borrowers making a home purchase. However, it is not a legal document and should not be interpreted as one. Nothing should be taken as a change of law or regulations. The article does not attempt to go into detail or into unusual problems. Information about VA loans is given in a narrative format followed by questions and answers in those areas of the greatest concern.

It is suggested that the pamphlet be read in its entirety. Please pay particular attention to the information about:

your responsibility to determine the condition of the property you purchase, and  assumption of your VA loan and obtaining a release of liability.

Any questions you have which are not answered here should be referred to the Loan Guaranty Division at the nearest VA regional office, or to your lender who will take them up with VA if necessary. A list of VA offices may be found in the Help section.

If you are a Veteran the VA loan program will offer several advantages over a traditional/conventional loan.  See additional posts that follow.
 
Source: MortgageX .com

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Diigo
  • Faves
  • Mixx
  • Propeller
  • SphereIt
  • Wikio
  • Sphinn

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,