Mortgages | Tampa Bay Homes for Sale | RE/MAX ACR Elite Group, Inc.

How to Decide How Much to Put down on a Home

Before the foreclosure crisis, it wasn't uncommon for people to buy homes with no money down. The crash of 2008 changed that, however, and the pendulum swung the other way. You almost had to come up with 20 percent of the purchase price for a down payment on a home. While zero-down mortgages may never be as prevalent as they once were, there are low (and no) down-payment options out there. Government-backed loan programs offer zero-down and 3-percent programs, and even traditional lenders are … Continue reading...

Can A Non-Citizen Co-Sign For My Home Loan?

Will you require a co-signer in order to buy a home in the Tampa Bay area? Are you worried because your only willing co-signer is a non-citizen? We have the scoop about buying a home with a co-signer that currently doesn't have United States citizenship. Minimum Standards No matter what, if you have a co-signer on your mortgage, they have to meet the same minimum standards that you would as the primary borrower. Lenders offering loans backed by Fannie Maw, Freddie Mac and FHA are allowed to … Continue reading...

Get Better Mortgage Rates If You Improve Your Credit Score

In what might feel like a cruel plot to keep home buyers stuck and unable to actually buy a home, lenders use factors including your credit score to determine your mortgage rates. You need to take a look at your credit score early in the game. You might need to clear some errors up on the credit report. It's not uncommon, but it's best handled before you start applying for mortgages. Why? The worse your credit, the higher it will raise your rate. The higher your rate is, the more you will pay … Continue reading...

How Does Making Lump Sum Payments Affect Your Mortgage? Let’s Take a Look

Periodically, many homeowners will receive a rather sizable amount of extra cash. This may be from a bonus from your employer, a refund on your tax return, a financial gift from a relative or something else altogether. While there are many things that you could do with your windfall, you may be wondering if paying down your mortgage balance is a wise idea. Before you make your decision about how to spend your money, consider what impact your lump sum payment will have on your mortgage. Reduction … Continue reading...

3 Easy Ways to Put Aside a Bit of Extra Cash So You Can Pay off Your Mortgage Faster

If your personal budget is similar to many other people's budgets, your home mortgage payment is by far the largest expense that you pay for each month. In fact, this payment may easily account for 20 or 25 percent or more of your take-home income. Understandably, you may be focused on trying to pay this expense off early. By focusing on this payment, you can build equity and may be able to achieve financial security more quickly. You simply have to find a way to put aside a bit of extra cash … Continue reading...

Saving Up for Your First Home? Our Guide to Finding Ways to Save Your Down Payment Faster

If your goal is to purchase a home, you may find that it's challenging to save up enough money for your down payment. While this is something that many first time home buyers struggle with, it is by no means insurmountable. By making a few simple changes you will be able to accumulate the funds you need for your down payment. Keep Track Of Your Spending One of the reasons why it can be difficult to save money is that you aren't even sure of where your money is going. While you may be aware of … Continue reading...

Freelancing in 2015? Three Tips for How to Secure a Mortgage if You’re a Self-Employed Entrepreneur

If you are self-employed, either as a freelancer or as the owner of your own business, your income can fluctuate greatly from year to year. That can make it difficult to get approved for a mortgage, although there are some things you can do to improve your chances. Here are three tips for securing a mortgage if you are self-employed. Make Sure Your Credit Score Is In Good Shape While your ability to pay back a mortgage is the most important factor in approval, your credit score is a close … Continue reading...

Buying a Home with a Mortgage? A Quick Guide to Closing Costs and What to Expect

Whether you're just starting to shop for a new home or you've already found the perfect new house and you're ready to submit an offer, if you're taking out a mortgage loan to cover some of the home's purchase price you should be aware of the various closing costs you may encounter. In today's blog post we'll share a quick guide to closing costs and what you can expect to pay when you buy a new home. What Closing Costs Do Buyers Typically Pay? As you move forward in the home purchase process … Continue reading...

Buying a Home? 4 Steps You Can Take to Ensure You Start out with a Low Monthly Mortgage Payment

Are you thinking about buying a new house or condo? If so, you've likely given some thought to your mortgage and as to how you can pay as little as possible in order to own your new home. Below we'll share four easy steps that you can take to ensure you start out with an affordable monthly mortgage payment. Make A Large Down Payment On Your Home The easiest way to reduce your monthly payment is to invest as much as possible in your down payment. The less you have to borrow, the less you'll be … Continue reading...

Understanding Title Insurance and How It Impacts Your Mortgage Loan

When you buy a home, you will be given a title to your new property. A title is a legal document that proves you own the property, and in most cases the title excludes other parties from making an ownership claim. However, not all titles give you free and clear ownership of the property. Title insurance protects you and your lender from title disputes and other ownership issues that may arise. Here are just a few ways that title insurance can impact your mortgage. How Title Insurance Protects A … Continue reading...