catherine ([info]princesscat) wrote,
@ 2009-01-13 20:53:00
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Current location:apt 917
Current mood: anxious
Current music:Bob Marley // I Wanna Love You
Entry tags:buying house

Buying a house?

I've been doing tonssss of research lately on buying a house.  Matt and I are hoping to move sooner than later, I'm thinking a year or less.  So far we have been budgeting and saving, and so far we have 50%-60% of the amount I'd like to have for a down payment.  Its so scary though, there is so much to consider with 15 or 30 year loans and 80-20 and school districts and foundations and ahhh.  I think we can afford up to $140k home but I think we want to shoot for alot lower, probably under 100K for our first home.  I didnt realize how low a mortgage payment could be though, not too far off from what you'd pay in an apartment for our family size.  So basically I need to clean up my credit with the little things here and there and I want to try and establish some credit with a gas card or something.  Matt has excellent credit so we shouldn't have any problems getting a low interest rate.  It's a buyers market right now so I am just trying to be informed as possible.  I think we are going to start taking to banks and realtors soon.  Yayyy for being a grown up!  :) Advice??




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[info]lupeacecraft
2009-01-14 06:14 am UTC (link)
That's a smart move to do a down payment rather than none at all. To avoid PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) you want to put down at least 20% of the value down. I'm not 100% sure that getting a low interest rate has everything to do with credit rating. Since Mark works in the mortgage industry as a loan consultant there's usually other factors involved such as how many points are you willing to pay, down-payment and whether your to debt to income ratio is too high (actually if your debt to income ratio) is too high you wouldn't be able to get a mortgage but that shouldn't be an issue unless you have like over $10,000 in credit card balances and what not.

I just checked with him and although the interest rates are low for the refinance and home equity department (around high 4's to low 5's percentage) it doesn't apply to people buying houses.

Check with FHA loans. Those are usually the best types of loans out there however its based on how much income you have and whether you've had any late payments. If you have a high income I don't think you'll be able to qualify but again I'm not entirely positive since you would want to talk to Mark to make sure.

Although Mark works in the refi department at Countrywide, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to talk to you and Matt to make sure your getting a good deal before you make any definite decisions. Let me know how it works out or if you want to talk to him. Also, have you looked into foreclosures?

We're planning on moving but within the next 2 years. With the inheritance he'd rather buy the home outright rather than getting a mortgage since it would be a lot easier owning it.

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[info]princesscat
2009-01-16 01:59 am UTC (link)
thanks for all the advice! yeah i definatly would want to put down as much as possible for a downpayment, and i would overypay every mortgage payment as much as i could to keep as low as an interest rate as possible. thats cool mark is involved in that, it eases my mind to know i have people around to consult.

i have sort of looked around websites for foreclosures but it just seems like it would be a bigger hassle and you would end up settling for a house you werent totally in love with... but im willing to keep my options open.

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