Page 7 - NV_DTA_Buyer_Guide

Select a Mortgage

The Choice is Yours What are your long-term
There are a variety of loans to choose from, Conventional, FHA financial goals?
and VA just to name a few. It is best when choosing a loan that A mortgage is a form of fixed savings, and you get a payback in
you discuss which loan will work for you with your Loan Officer. the form of a mortgage interest deduction. You may need to invest
Your Loan Officer will be able to match a loan with your short-term more cash in areas that have a bigger return. You will shortchange
or long-term plans and goals. your retirement savings plan if you put the bulk of your resources
into a home loan.
Think Ahead
Seriously consider your future plans and then look for a loan that The Portfolio Advantage
conforms with them: Portfolio lenders are lending institutions that don’t resell their loans
on the secondary mortgage market. They can be more flexible
Do you want to remain in the area? about loan terms and qualifications because they don’t have
If you like the area where you live now and don’t think you’ll buy a to follow secondary-market rules. It’s harder to qualify for loans
bigger, smaller or better house soon, then get a loan with the best intended for sale, because they must conform to rigid guidelines.
rate for the long term. For example, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae won’t permit all of the
down payment to be a gift if the borrower is applying for a 90
percent loan, but some portfolio lenders will.
Are you happy with your job or
confident you won’t change jobs soon? Stretch your Qualifying Ratios
If not, you may want to invest in a property with good re-sale value This can be most valuable if your income is shy of the required
and a loan that ties up a minimal portion of your income. amount for a Freddie Mac or a Fannie Mae loan. Your
qualifying ratio is determined by dividing your monthly housing
Do you plan to make any family expense (the total of your loan payment, property taxes, hazard
changes? insurance, mortgage insurance and homeowner association dues)
by your gross monthly income.
If you plan to have children or your widowed mother is going to
move in, your current house may not be large enough. You may Fund a loan for an “as is” Property
want a loan that keeps enough capital free to make the necessary
additions. You can also prepay principal to build up additional In fact, a portfolio lender may be your only option. Properties sold
equity and draw a home-equity loan or refinance your current “as is” almost always need major work. Some portfolio lenders
loan and get cash out. will allow funds from the seller’s proceeds to be held in an account
to complete repair work after closing. Freddie Mac and Fannie
Will you finance your children’s college Mae loans won’t permit hold backs for such work.
in the next 10 years?
You may choose a 15-year loan to build up equity sooner and pay
a lower interest rate. Or pay down (pay more principal) a longer- Synopsis – There’s more to a mortgage than
term loan to free more equity before you take on that expense. how much you qualify to borrow. To decide
what kind of home financing you should
choose, think about your long-term plans and
financial goals as well.

07