Tips to Help You Qualify for a Home Mortgage

Getting a mortgage may seem like one of the hardest decisions and one of the most stressful components in the homebuying process. There are many options to choose from that need careful thought, some research, and help from a local loan officer. Here are some tips that you can look at to ease the process of getting a mortgage.

1. Get a mortgage pre-approval instead of a mortgage pre-qualification.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is an in-depth process that involves running a credit check on yourself and verifying your income and assets. This in-depth process will look at how much you can afford as well as the interest rate that you would pay on the loan. If you are serious about buying a home, you will need to get pre-approved since many sellers will only accept offers from buyers that have a pre-approval done. Even if sellers don’t require you to be pre-approved, it will make your offer stand out from the rest!

Starting the pre-approval process may seem hard, but it is fairly simple. To get started your loan officer will let you know what personal and financial information you need to submit to them. Once you supply the appropriate documents they will review everything and provide you with your pre-approval letter as well as information on the funds from the mortgage. These funds are usually available shortly after a seller accepts your offer on the home.

2. Save your cash and avoid moving your money around.

If you have a low balance in your bank account when you walk in to speak to a local loan officer, your home loan application can easily be rejected. In order to get pre-approved, you have to show that you have enough cash to be able to afford a down payment on the home you’re putting an offer on. When saving your cash, avoid shifting large amounts of money in and out of your accounts during the homebuying process, especially when you are trying to get approved for a mortgage. Keep in mind that underwriters will be checking and keeping track of your finances while you are in the homebuying process.

3. Avoid changing jobs shortly before closing the deal.

When getting pre-approved for your mortgage, it is beneficial to show that you have at least two years of consistent income history. Any changes to your employment or income status can stop or greatly delay the mortgage process. Loan officers need to be able to evaluate your finances throughout the process to see if you are still qualifying for the loan. Job changes can also raise red flags for underwriters who want to make sure you are still able to qualify for the loan.

Underwriters hold a big role in whether you are qualified to get a home mortgage, so take careful steps to avoid raising red flags for them when they look through your finances, credit scores, and more. The best thing to do when you are unsure if you qualify is to speak to your loan officer and ask them for their expert opinion as well as any additional advice they have that can help you qualify for a home mortgage. Each of these steps are crucial to help you get pre-approved and secure the loan you need for your dream home so make sure to go over everything in detail with your loan officer! If you need any help, contact the Kovacs Connection Team today!


Courtesy of Cuselleration

5 Things to Do Before Moving Out of Your Home

Moving out is not as simple as just finding a new home, packing your things, and driving away. If you have decided to move out of your current home, there are some logistics and tasks that need to be done and taken care of before doing so. If you are unsure about anything in the process, you’ll want to talk to a real estate agent to get advice on how to ease or speed up the process and what mistakes you should avoid. Look at the following items as some of the things to keep in mind or to be on top of so that you can make the moving process a lot smoother and a lot less stressful for yourself.

1. Clean your home.

Keep in mind the mentality that you would have when looking into potential future homes if you were the next buyer of this home. This is easy to overlook when you are focusing only on how to pack your belongings and move it all out. Think about all the dust and dirt that has accumulated in the corners and cracks of your home that you don’t access often or even during the packing process of moving all your belongings around. Just keep a mop and broom around to do some simple tidying and cleaning up. Keep in mind that as you are leaving your current home, another homebuyer will shortly be moving in. Leave the home as it was when your first moved in or as you would like to see it if you were the next homeowner.

2. Change your address early and also leave your new address behind.

When you are certain about moving out and have already signed for a new home to seal the deal, make sure to start changing your current address to your new address for all your bank accounts, subscriptions, and more to avoid the trouble of not receiving your mail at your new address. And to be safe, also leave your new address behind for the future owner of your current home so that they know where to redirect the mail that was sent to your old address. This is especially important if you have any bills to pay off that come in through the mail.

3. Cancel Utilities and Insurance Coverage of Current Home

Moving out of a home and into a new home means that you will need to cancel or change many things in regards to insurance, utilities, and subscriptions. When beginning insurance coverage on your new home, remember to either cancel the insurance coverage of your old home or check if the insurance company has already done that for you. Keep in mind that some insurance companies may not automatically do that for you. When moving out of your old home, make sure to let your utility company know the date to discontinue their services at the old address and also the address for where to forward your last utility bill.

4. Pack Smartly and Visualize How to Unpack and Decorate Your New Home Beforehand

Organize your moving boxes. The process of unpacking may take longer than you expect it  to, so make sure to separate the items you will need within the first few days of moving in. This may include bedding, toiletries, and a few clothing items so that you can avoid the need to dig through all the boxes that you have yet to unpack and organize. Also, organize all the items in each box so you know which room the items are designated for in the new home. This will allow the unpacking process to be smoother and more organized. Knowing which items you would like in which room of your new home will help you organize and label the boxes.

5. Hire a Professional Moving Company or Rent a U-HAUL

The fastest and smoothest way to move your belongings in the moving process is with less trips back and forth to the old and new home and also more helping hands. Imagine how much more time and effort it takes to move box after box from your old home to your new home with your own car. Compare that to all the boxes you can fit in a U-HAUL truck you can rent or even with a professional moving company that you can hire to move all your belongings with one trip and many helping hands.

Hopefully these tips have allowed you to feel less stressed and nervous about the moving process. We know the process can seem difficult at first, so we want to help you! Feel free to contact us today so we can start helping you through this next step in your homebuying journey.


Courtesy of Cuselleration

How to Decide Which Offer is Best When Selling Your House

Selling a home can be a very exciting process, especially as the offers start rolling in. But just because an offer comes in first doesn’t mean it’s the best one. The highest offer also does not always equate to the best offer either.

There are a number of factors and considerations you should keep in mind when reviewing offers for your house.

Payment Type:  The first thing you should do when looking at offers is check out the payment type. Most buyers will not choose to purchase in cash, but offers that are all cash are often the safest offers since sellers don’t have to worry about loan approvals by banks.

Pre-Approval Status:  Pre-approval is another important element to consider when selling a house. Essentially, a letter of pre-approval means a buyer will be able to get the loan they need to purchase your house.
This makes these types of offers safer (and stronger) than from people who are not pre-approved. Do keep in mind there’s a difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval.

Repairs: Your house might need some repairs, but maybe you don’t have the time or money to do them. This makes a buyer who is willing to do the work an attractive one when it comes to selling. Some buyers will ask you to fix things in the house, while others will want to do the work themselves.
Taking this into consideration can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to reviewing offers.

Additionally, some buyers will want you to take all the appliances, while others will want to use them. Items like refrigerators and washers can be expensive, so keep this in mind when it comes to reviewing offers.

Contingencies: A lot of offers will come with contingencies attached, which are a list of things that have to happen at certain times in order for the deal to actually go through. For the seller, fewer contingencies are always better, so it’s important to carefully review all contingencies in each offer.
More common ones include inspection, financing, and appraisal. Some buyers will put in a clause to back out of a deal if an inspection reveals too many problems, so be sure to read the fine print of each offer and weigh options accordingly.

Types of Loan Buyers will probably come towards you with a variety of mortgages under their belt, and this can lead to very different circumstances for the seller. Conventional loans are popular because they are pretty simple, but some government-backed ones can get a bit complicated since they require specific approvals and repairs at times. Make sure to keep the loan type in mind as you are reviewing offers, since this can add a lot of time and stress to the entire process.

Closing Timeline:  When you are selling a home, you’re probably just
ready to get a deal done and move on to buying your new home. Buyers who come with all cash offers will probably then be the best bet for you, even if the price is a bit below other offers.

Click here to learn everything you need to know about a closing disclosure form!

However, if your plans somewhere else are not yet clear, then you might need an extended closing timeline with a buyer who is willing to take more time. This gives you more of a chance to prepare to buy a new home, and gives the buyer more of a chance to potentially find more money for their own expenses.

Overall, there are a number of things to keep in mind when reviewing offers for your home. Price does matter, and this might be the most important factor for you, but some offers come with a lot of risks that makes them more of a hassle, even if you are getting more money upfront.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!


Courtesy of Cuselleration

4 Key Tips to Getting a Mortgage

Maybe you’re thinking this is the right time to buy a home. Mortgage rates are low, and you drove by that ‘perfect’ house, and you’ve got the itch to buy. So what do you need to know to go from “I’ve got to have it,” to “Sold!” The best mortgage tip advice is to do your homework before you start house shopping. Here are a few tips to consider:

Mortgage Tips: Face the Facts

You’ve heard about the fiasco known as the Equifax credit breach. More than a third of us had our personal information compromised. As a result, financial gurus have recommended that you check out your credit score with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian to make sure it is accurate. It’s critically important when applying for a home mortgage, because a low credit score and credit fraud can derail your plans for your dream home. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 680 in order for you to qualify for a home loan. If you are looking at an FHA loan, they look for credit scores north of 620. In addition to your credit score, bankers will look at your payment history. Have you missed payments on other obligations? Are you frequently late on paying your bills? Those markers will let a mortgage lender know of your responsibility, and likelihood of paying your home mortgage on time.

2) Are You Cashed Up?

Money talks, especially when it comes to a home loan. If your credit score is sketchy, and your payment history isn’t so hot, then cold hard cash talks. Even if you have a great credit score, walking into a lender’s office with no cash on hand for the purchase can deny you a mortgage. So how much cash do you need? Every mortgage lender has it’s own criteria, but in general, you’ll need a down payment of at least 3.5% of the home price. More is better. With the price of homes in Southern California, we know that means saving a lot of dough, but the real savings comes when you don’t need PMI. PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance, and lenders waive PMI when you put 20% down on your home. So break out your calculator and figure out how to put the money away. Not having PMI lowers your monthly mortgage payment, so saving now pays off on down the road. Also remember additional costs: closing costs, home appraisals, title searches, moving expenses. We want you to have the home of your dreams, but also want you to be educated before you buy.

3) Debt Free is a Beautiful Thing

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders take a long peek into your financial history. Not only are they interested in if you pay off your obligations on time, but also how much debt you are carrying. They call it Debt to Income Ratio, which just means the more debt you are carrying, the less likely you are to be approved for a loan. Every lender has their own evaluations, but a good rule of thumb is that they will see if your debts (credit cards, student loans, potential mortgage payments, etc..) exceeds one third of your income, they are queasy about loaning you the cash. If you pay off your debts before filling out a home mortgage application, you’re much more likely to see “Approved” on your application. Also note that lenders will check your debt status just before closing, so any other big purchases you make right before closing can impact their decision.

4) Know Your Limits

We know you are anxious to find and move into that perfect home. Contact us to let us show you what is available. We suggest getting pre-approved for a mortgage before our first house hunting trip. It’s simple: just contact a lender, give them your financial info and let them tell you the amount they will lend. It will free you up to only look at properties that make sense for you. You don’t want to fall madly in love with a property that there is no way you can afford. Speaking of which, lenders can pre-approve you for a lot more house than you can actually afford. Life can get much more stressful when you are house-poor, so get pre-approved, and use it as a general guideline when you are looking at listings, but always consider how much extra cash you will have after paying the mortgage every month, in order for your purchase to be a happy one!

Benefits of FHA Home Loans

The first establishment of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was in 1934. This is the same period when the country was coming out of The Great Depression. Being a branch of the National Housing Recovery Act, the Federal Housing Administration had a simple mission: to provide a platform where the number of homeowners can increase.

The ratio of homeowners at the time was 4 out of 10. Something had to be done in order for that to change.

But there was a limiting factor risk. There was the unavailability of enough quantity of private capital. Homeownership comes with a variety of advantages, which include facilitation of both economic and social growth, shaping the communities and provision of stability to the neighborhoods.

At the moment, the Federal Housing Administration is considered to be the largest mortgage insurer in the whole world. ‘Insurer’ is used in the place of ‘lender’. The reason for the FHA being a mortgage insurer instead of a mortgage lender is because the FHA doesn’t lend money, but instead insures it. They take the risk.

Mortgage lending procedures are facilitated by the FHA by ensuring all the banks and mortgage lenders from the risks that may be associated with giving a loan to an applicant that is buying a home for the first time or people that want to come off a big derogatory credit score issue.

One of the greatest achievements of the Federal Housing Administration is that is has enabled uncountable citizens of America, possibly your grandparents, parents or even you included, to purchase their slice of the American dream.

The Federal Housing Administration has an estimate of 4.8 million home mortgages to single families currently, and over 13,000 insured mortgages projects to different families in their portfolio.

The FHA principles that have been guiding it from inception to date are still intact.

It only requires a 3.5% down payment

Today, available to the home buyers are only few mortgage options that allow them a down payment of 5% or even less. The Federal Housing Administration is among the few.

The FHA mortgage allows home buyers to pay as low as a 3.5% down payment. Isn’t this good news? This is really beneficial, especially for the home buyer applicants who are not rich, wealthy or have not saved up a lot of money to be used as down payment. This is also of benefit to the home buyer that looks forward at saving up more money that will be used for his or her moving out expenses, renovation funds, emergency money or any other needs known to the home buyer.

Flexible credit qualifications

It is not often that you will come across mortgages that you are eligible for with a 580 credit score requirement.

For home buyers that have major derogatory credit issues like foreclosure, bankruptcy or short sale, the only option left for you to buy is FHA.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!

Can You Transfer a Mortgage From One Person to Another?

Enough research will tell you that most loans are not transferable as a result of the “due on sale” clause on them. What this means is that when the property on the loan is sold, then the entirety of the loans becomes due.

But you will also want to know that some loans do not have these due on sale clauses which make them transferable from the seller to the buyer. These loans are known as the “assumable loans.” There are three types of assumable loans:

  • VA loans – these loans are designed in such a way that they consider the service members who are constantly on the move as a result of their careers. Most of the loans that were closed before 1988 can still be moved freely without the need for any approval from the lender. The loans that are closed after that time, however, need approval from the lender to be closed.
  • FHA loans – these loans can also be transferable without the need of any approval from the lender if they were closed by December 1989. Otherwise, any other loans that were closed after that time need approval from the lender.
  • USDA loans – lender approval is required for these loans to be transferable.

Reasons why you want to transfer your mortgage

Taking over a loan usually saves a lot when it comes to closing costs. The buyer will not have to part with the fees to originate a new loan plus all the taxes and all the other closing costs involved. The buyer only has to pay the nominal fee that will assume the already existing loan. You do not even need to pay the down payment in this case.

There are, however, a couple of complications that come with mortgage transfers that you need to know about before you dive into the whole process.

Merits and demerits of mortgage transfers

You may not need to pay the down payment fees, but you will still need to pay a huge sum of cash to make the transfer.

As the buyer, you may not have enough cash at the moment to make the transfer. You have the option of taking a secondary loan which can cover all of the expenses. But these loans are usually accompanied by high-interest rates, which even makes the whole transfer process less attractive.

You also need to know that the original borrowers in the mortgage still retain some sense of responsibility for the loan unless there is a release that is in writing from the loan lender stating otherwise.

When the due on sale clause doesn’t apply

About every loan apart from the VA, USDA, and the FHA have due on sale clauses. However, there are some types of loan transfers that have exemptions. They have been listed below:

  • Transfer to a relative in case of death of the original borrower
  • Transfer to your children or spouse
  • Transfer to your ex-spouse if he/she continues to live there
  • Transfer to you in living trust if you stay in the property

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!

4 Valuation Methods for Investing in Real Estate

Determining the investment value of your property isn’t the same as valuing a house you plan on living in. Well, then how do you do it? There are a couple of real estate valuation approaches that you can use whenever you calculate the investment value of a property.

Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages that each approach has. You need to familiarize yourself with each of these methods so you can easily relate to the many different buyers as well as sellers, and any situation you may be in. You should always keep in mind that there are no right or wrong methods of valuation.

When you think about investing in real estate, there are three main parts you have to have in mind; income, financing, and expenses. Here are four valuation methods you can use in the marketplace and their pros and cons.

1. Price per unit

To find the “price per unit,” you have to compare the cost of the property that you then divide by the units. Everything that you have learned about price per square foot you can always be applied to the price per unit. Price per unit does not take into account financing, income, or even expenses. You can use this method to test the wind, even though it is not in depth in determining the valuation method.

2. Cash on cash

This is a ration of the amount of cash flow that you, as an investor, would earn and comparing it with the cash that you invest. The formula for this method works by putting the cash flow before the tax and then dividing it by the cash invested. When you do your research, you will find that out of all the other financial benefits like tax savings, principal reduction, and appreciation you can use to own an investment in real estate, that cash flow is the most crucial. During that time, you will notice that most properties have to produce sufficient cash on cash return in order to make it worthwhile.

3 .Capitalization rate

Also called the “cap rate,” this is one of the common phrases you will always hear time and time again in the marketplace. Usually,the cap rate is expressed in the form of a percentage, and its formula works when you divide the net operating outcome by the cost. You may be kicking yourself asking what all this means by now.

You need to know that capitalization rate takes into account both expenses and income. The capitalization rate does not, however, take into account any financial aspects as most of its basis lies with the net operating outcome. The capitalization rate will always assume that you pay cash.

4. Gross multiplier

The cost of the gross multiplier is when you have to divide the cost of the property by the gross operating outcome. This valuation method does not take any income, expenses, or financing into account.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!

5 Best Secrets to Buying a Home

Buying a home is no easy task. In fact, many people find it to be very stressing and taxing, let alone the expenses that one has to incur. You also need to make sure that you do a little shopping around for the best homes to buy, the best locations, the best prices and the rates, etc. There are countless things that you need to look into before you set out to look for a new home. And that is where this article comes in to rescue you from all that hustle by highlighting five of the best kept secrets to buying a new home.

1. Keep your money exactly where it is

It is not a good idea to be moving your money around and making huge purchases if you intend to buy a new home in the near future; like in the next three to six months. The best thing that you can do and will probably boost your chances of getting a mortgage for your new home is to stop moving your money. You should even stop making any large transactions before the home buying process. Lenders will look at your credit profile, and they want to see proof that you are reliable and will get back the money they lend you in good time.

2. Get a pre-approval for your home loan

You need to realize that getting pre-qualified for a loan does not guarantee that you have qualified to get a loan. You also need to be pre-approved by the lender. A loan pre-qualification simply means that the lender has looked at your loan request, considering your documentation and other relevant forms, and decided the amount of money they can loan out to you. A pre-approval is what you need to be looking for as they can save you a lot of time that could have, otherwise, been spent looking up houses way beyond your league.

3. Avoid any border dispute

You need to ensure that you get a surveyor to identify the borders of the home that you want to purchase before you do the actual purchasing. This can save you a lot of unnecessary disputes over property borders in the future if supposedly you or your neighbors overlap onto the other person’s property.

4. Never time the market

It is virtually almost impossible to time the markets. The best time that you can buy a home is that time that you find one that you feel suits your needs, and you have the funds to pay for it.

5. Bigger is not always better

No matter how enticing the deal may be to go for the biggest and most beautiful house, it will probably not be the best deal for you. Bigger houses are tough to sell, and you never know, you may want to put the house up for a resale some day and end up stuck with it. It may even be a good idea to go for the worst home around the block as these houses are the ones that appreciate the fastest. They trade for more when compared to the bigger houses.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, or Rancho Santa Margarita? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!

Everything You Need to Know About a Closing Disclosure Form

A closing disclosure form outlines the terms and costs that you incur in your mortgage. It is among the important pieces of documents that you must always check before you decide to close on a home.

The lender must it the closing disclosure form available at least three business days before any closing deal is met. You need to ensure you read this document thoroughly before you come to any agreement and sign any paperwork.

Closing disclosure vs settlement statement

The closing disclosure form was known as the HUD-1 settlement statement before August 1st, 2015. In the past, it used to be a very long and confusing document that was only available to the buyer on the day of closing, as required by federal law. This did not give the buyer much time to address issues within the document. It is for this reason that the closing disclosure statement form later replaced the settlement statement. And new and a fewer number of strict laws were implemented in the form, such as lenders providing the five-page document three business days before the closing date.

Even so, this document can still be a little confusing. Here are some few tips you can look at to make the process easier for you.

Comparing your closing disclosure with your loan estimate

You will always want to compare the amount you use with the amount that is in your loan estimate. The numbers and terms should match up or come close in both forms. You may realize that there are some changes as a result of the period that has gone by from the time you applied for a loan.

Your mortgage rates may have changed over the time too, and the attorneys or the title company changed their rates as well, most likely nudging the rates up. What you will especially want to keep an eye out for are the spelling errors and typos that can occur in numbers and names.

A study showed that half of the real estate agents have, at one point, found errors in closing disclosure statements. So, to be on the safe side, it wouldn’t hurt to check for any misspelling and typo errors. In fact, you may end up saving yourself a lot of trouble in future. Wherever you don’t understand the document, it is advisable that you seek the advice of your real estate agent. It is vital that you notify your closing company, lender and title of any changes that may be troubling you immediately.

What to check in your closure disclosure form

  • Your name – check the spelling of your name
  • Loan term – this is always somewhere between 15 and 30 years.
  • Loan type – know the type of loan you should go for
  • Interest rate – locked in rates will always remain fixed
  • Closing costs – these are the fees that are paid to the third parties that took part in the process to close the deal

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!
Tags: buying, cash flow, closings, first time home buyer, home buyer, home buying, homes, real estate, South Orange County

4 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

There are personal and professional reasons why you should consider making changes to your home in order to increase the value in the market. You will definitely have your buyers talking when they look at the brand-new bathroom or kitchen. These are some of the key points you need to pay keen attention to if you plan on catching that big break with your potential buyers. For whichever reason you may choose to remodel your home, there is bound to be a notable touch on the market value. Some of the best ways you can adapt to improve your home value include the following below.

1. Undertaking kitchen renovations

Redoing your kitchen will flock buyers to your doorstep. Adopting trends that gather people such as bar stools, improving, replacing old finishes on the tiles, and new appliances are a major attraction key. Considering that it is a place for cooking, you need to pay keen attention to the countertops and how they appear to buyers.

2. Doing updates to your bathroom

Considered to be one of the smallest rooms in the house, increasing the number of bathrooms from one to two can be a significant upgrade for your house’s value. While you attempt to maintain simplicity in the upgrade, especially if the reason is for resale, it is advisable to keep your bathroom as casual and neutral as you possibly can. Detail should be the main area of concern as you work on matters concerning the improvement of the towel hangers, adding cabinets, and also redoing the flooring. Replacing old pedestal sinks with trendy vanity styles and matching mirrors not only stands out and draws the eye to it, but also gives more storage space. Filling chinks between tiles are cheaper and provide the bathroom with a fresher look.

3. Fresh paint

Unclouded looking walls are another key to making your home’s space more attractive. You may prefer to choose to paint the wall shades of white, crisp, navy and even earthly neutrals that create a calming and versatile backdrop. You might also want to paint the places that the buyers will see first while entering the house such as foyer, living room, and the dining room as well. Overall, this gives you the impression that the living area was very well kept by the previous owner, in fact, it makes it seem easier to maintain while living there.

4. Landscape improvements

Landscaping the home’s area is key to increasing the value of your home. A beautiful and well-tended lawn with plenty of colorful blooms gives buyers the impression that you indeed take care of your home. You better pay close attention to the entrance of your home. Make the landscape look more appealing than it was before. You can do this by paying for the replacements for damaged stepping stones, porch plants, and also the concrete paths.The main agenda here is for you to feel some level of excitement whenever you are about to enter your home.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!