The oldest rule of investing: Buy low, sell high. With some housing markets bottoming out, now could be a good time to get ready to make money on the slowdown, says CNN Money, which has worked with Moody’s Economy.com to identify 10 major metropolitan areas that are coming back to life after a slowdown.

The following is a list of the 10 metro areas including their projected median sales prices for single-family homes and the percentage of growth expected in the next two years. While the numbers are moderate, they are a huge improvement over what’s been happening in these cities and others, the magazine notes.

1. Dallas–Fort Worth
Q1 2008: $151,930
Q4 2009: $161,690
Growth rate: 6.4 percent

2. Indianapolis
Q1 2008: $122,940
Q4 2009: $130,630
Growth rate: 6.3 percent

3. New Orleans
Q1 2008: $153,850
Q4 2009: $162,600
Growth rate: 5.7 percent

4. Atlanta
Q1 2008: $177,750
Q4 2009: $187,640
Growth rate: 5.6 percent

5. Montgomery, Ala.
Q1 2008: $140,020
Q4 2009: $147,690
Growth rate: 5.5 percent

6. Memphis
Q1 2008: $143,550
Q4 2009: $150,730
Growth rate: 5 percent

7. Mobile, Ala.
Q1 2008: $134,580
Q4 2009: $140,920
Growth rate: 4.7 percent

8. Austin, Texas
Q1 2008: $186,350
Q4 2009: $195,060
Growth rate: 4.7 percent

9. Houston
Q1 2008: $154,850
Q4 2009: $161,910
Growth rate: 4.6 percent

10. St. Louis
Q1 2008: $143,920
Q4 2009: $149,710
Growth rate: 4 percent

And these are just the top 10.

Technorati tags: average median home sales, median home sales, rebound cities

One of the biggest reasons homeowners refinance their mortgage is to obtain a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. By refinancing, the borrower pays off their existing mortgage and replaces it with a new one. This can often be accomplished with a no-points no-fees loan program, which essentially means at “no cost” to the borrower.

In the no-points no-fees scenario, the mortgage consultant uses rebate monies paid by the lender to pay off non-recurring closing costs for the borrower. These are “one time” fees such as escrow or attorney fees, title insurance, document preparation, tax service, flood certification, processing and underwriting fees, etc. The borrower is still responsible for recurring fees such as interim insurance, property taxes or insurance policy payments.

Refinancing typically occurs when mortgage interest rates drop significantly, but borrowers with recently improved credit scores (from paying off credit card debt, making mortgage payments on time, etc.) are often candidates for better interest rates as well. If you haven’t checked your credit score in a while, it’s a good time to call a mortgage consultant.

The question most asked is, “But why should I go back into a 30-year loan?”
There are two schools of thought on this subject, and the mortgage consultant should work hand-in-hand with the borrower’s financial planner to determine what works best for their mutual client. (Please check out my free reports to help steer you in the right direction.)

One option is to take the route of the “same payment” refinance, and actually pay off the loan faster and save money on interest fees in the long-run. If refinancing results in a lower monthly payment, the borrower can still continue making the same payment they made in the original loan, and the extra money will be applied to the principal balance.

For example: Let’s say you have 25 years remaining in your current loan, and you refinance back to a 30-year loan with a slightly lower interest rate, resulting in a payment reduction of $200 per month. (Note: This is just an example. The actual amount could vary.) You could then take that extra $200 per month and apply it toward the principal on the new loan. At this rate, the loan will be paid off in 22 years and 4 months, which is 2 years and 8 months less than the original loan.

On the other hand, the borrower’s financial planner may suggest investing the extra money in a side-fund that could earn a better rate of return and grow to the amount of the mortgage (and beyond) in even less time. This method provides excellent liquidity, but having more direct access to this money may be too tempting for some homeowners.

Regardless of the reason for the refinance, the mortgage consultant will need to know what the existing loan scenario entails, review the homeowner’s long-term goals, and provide a comprehensive spreadsheet that compares and contrasts the various loan programs available. Bear in mind, refinancing to obtain a lower interest payment could also result in a lower deduction at tax time. The homeowner’s mortgage consultant and financial planner should work hand-in-hand with their mutual client’s best interest in mind.

Technorati tags: refinance options, mortgage rate increase, rising interest rates, fixed rate mortgages, alternative loan programs

So, your house isn’t selling. Don’t panic. Get smart and add value!

The bright side to the Phoenix metro housing market is that there are still 150,000 people legally moving to the valley every year. This number has not changed regardless of the market. Because of this, it is basic economics: supply and demand. The issue we face is there is still the same demand for housing, but there is an oversupply.

We can quantify the oversupply and say that the supply will burn off and be in need of more housing by X date, but the variable that is impossible to calculate is the amount of supply unexpected foreclosure activity will add as well as the amount of investor property that will need to be accounted for.

If we didn’t have the possibility of a large number of foreclosures and investor property coming back into the marketplace, we could clearly indicate when the supply would catch up with the demand.

The issue in other parts of the country is the demand. When the demand dips, and you have an oversupply, then you have a serious problem.

There is no foreseeable reason why Arizona would ever have that issue so long as our lawmakers keep a fairly business-friendly attitude. Because of this, our “slow-down” is a waiting game.

If you absolutely have to sell now, be realistic about your price. Contact me and I will help you find out what price it will take to sell your home fast. If priced right, homes right now will take about 45-60 days to sell.

If you’re not needing to sell right now, do some slight improvements. Don’t stress or get medicated. This is the time to be proactive. I’m not suggesting you need to be ecstatic about the current market but be realistic. It will come back, and when it does have your properties in perfect, ready-to-move-in shape so you’re ready to get the best possible price.

Technorati tags: Phoenix area real estate market, Phoenix area real estate, phoenix area housing market, phoenix supply and demand

If you’re thinking about taking out a home improvement loan, there are several options to consider. First and foremost, your mortgage consultant needs to know why you want a home improvement loan. Here are some factors to take into consideration.

• How long have you been in the home?
• Will the improvements increase the property value?
• Are you making improvements to increase energy efficiency?
• Will improvements be made in one fell swoop, or in stages?
• What is the current outstanding balance on your mortgage?
• What is the appraised value of the home?
• How much will the improvements cost?
• What improvements will be tax deductible?
• Do you have other revolving debt that you would like to pay off at the same time?
• Are you making improvements because you plan to sell the property?

The New Tract Home Blues

Buyers of newly-built homes are often tapped out after making the initial down payment and closing costs, including upgrades to amenities and the inevitable need for new furniture. Shortly thereafter, they realize they’d like to make additional improvements to really have the home of their dreams.

If you’re planning on putting down roots (pardon the pun), landscaping may be in order. The developer may have been kind enough to make the front yard a perky green, but if the back yard is a disturbing brown color sparse with weeds, you may be entertaining the vision of a pool or deck.

Look into the option of a Home Improvement Loan with a fixed interest rate as a 2nd Trust Deed. This type of loan does not require you to have equity built up in the existing mortgage. The maximum loan amount could go as high as 125% of the current appraised value of the home, and you can make the improvements yourself or go the extra mile and hire a contractor if the job requires architectural design, permits and inspections.

The Major Overhaul

If you have built up equity in your home and are geared up for some major renovation, the Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is probably your best bet. This adjustable loan allows you to use your equity as a line of credit, so if you have improvements that are phased in over time you can simply write a check when you need to pay a bill.

It’s like a having a credit card with a much lower financing rate. In fact, the HELOC can be used for any reason at all – even paying off that credit card debt. In most cases, this action turns that revolving debt payment into a tax deductible payment with a lower interest rate. The HELOC is generally a 2nd Trust Deed, unless it is used to pay off and replace the 1st Trust Deed.

A construction loan is an alternative to the HELOC for borrowers who don’t want to use or don’t have equity, and this type of financing can be used for construction on an existing dwelling. The lender will ask a lot more questions about what the borrower wants to do with the money, and the home owner will need architectural designs, permits and a licensed general contractor on board.

Construction loans are short-term loans that usually require interest-only payments until completion of construction, but the balance is due when construction is done. Most often, that is managed up front by setting up construction-to-perm financing. In this scenario, the loan is automatically rolled over into permanent financing at a fixed rate when construction is complete, and a rate-lock agreement can be purchased to carry the borrower through that period of construction.

Another option – depending on the value of your home and local loan amount limitations – is the FHA 203(k) Program. This financing is designed for the purchase or refinance and rehabilitation of properties that meet FHA guidelines. This is worth looking into if you need to bring a property up to compliance standards, finance eligible energy efficient improvements, or turn a single-family owner occupied dwelling into a duplex to accommodate Mom or Dad!

Just a Facelift, Please!

If you want to sell your home and you simply want to improve the curb appeal, it makes sense to go with a HELOC. Make sure you are aware of the current market value of homes in your area to make sure you’re not going over the limit on the fair market value of your home. You’ll want to get a return on your investment!

If you’ve had your home on the market too long and have not been able to sell, you might want to make some changes to give it a fresh new look and bring back the passion you once had for your home. Your mortgage consultant will help you weigh out your options for financing based on your outstanding mortgage balance, income and credit score.

Regardless of your reason for home improvement, make sure you share your goals with your mortgage consultant. He or she can walk you through the various loan options and confer with your tax advisor to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Technorati tags: home improvements, remodeling, added value improvements, home equity line of credit, increase property value

Sales of new Valley homes increased slightly in August, though builders continued to battle an oversupply of unsold houses, stricter lending standards and low consumer confidence.

Some 3,128 new homes were sold last month, up 4.7 percent from June, according to the latest Phoenix Housing Market analysis.

Overall, there were nearly 8,600 new and existing Valley houses sold in July. That’s not even close to the heights of 2005, but it is a huge amount of sales for housing in a month.

Today’s market is similar to the early 2000s before the boom, and builders and sellers weren’t complaining then.

It will probably get a little worse before it starts to get better but the basic elements of a successful market still exist in the Valley — good job and population growth and Phoenix will always have those two things in its favor.

July new homes sales were still down 14.5 percent from the same month last year and sales for the first seven months of the year totaled 22,565, a 20.9 percent drop from the same period in 2006.

Building permits for new homes were also down in July. Developers took out some 2,560 permits, compared with 3,490 in June and 3,601 in July 2006.

Meanwhile, the median new home price — where half cost more and half cost less — hovered around $257,000.

The existing home market continues to be the biggest hurdle facing builders.

Cancellations are down from last year, but developers continue to suffer, as potential new home buyers can’t sell their old homes. But if buyers are hanging back and waiting to see prices plunge farther, they shouldn’t hold their breath. Prices won’t likely fall much more because builders have already slashed them tremendously.

If there is a bright point in the current market, it seems to be the demand for higher-density housing. Single-family detached homes are selling at a rate of three to five a month in most subdivisions, while higher-density projects are seeing sales in the six to nine range.

National company D.R. Horton has found particular success with their urban living division, which is building projects throughout the Valley. Centex Homes, another major national player, is also jumping on the high-density track. That’s pretty much what some of the bigger guys like D.R. Horton and KB Homes are doing. That’s all they’re focusing on right now.

Technorati tags: phoenix new home sales, Phoenix real estate news, new home sales

Each year, millions of Americans move into the home of their dreams. As time goes by, families expand, kids grow older, and suddenly that home isn’t quite so perfect anymore. Or perhaps you still love your home, but you really want a gourmet kitchen and a larger master bedroom. Should you start looking for a new house? Or would it be better to stay where you are and remodel instead?

Both options involve a significant investment of time and money, so it’s important to take your time and make an informed decision. You’ll also want to be sure to consider both the financial and the emotional sides of the equation. Let’s begin by examining the financial factors involved.

Moving: A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers.

• How much will it cost to purchase a home that will meet your needs?

• How much could you sell your existing home for? Don’t forget to subtract the agent’s commission from this total.

• What will it cost to move? A typical move costs 10% of the value of your home.

• How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move?

Remodeling:

• What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures.

• How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the “payback”? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

If the decision about whether to renovate or move were purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look at the numbers and come to the right conclusion. However, there are also emotional factors that come into play, and they have a value as well. Let’s consider some examples.

Reasons you may want to move:

• If you relocate to a new neighborhood, your children could attend superior schools.

• You would like to reduce your commute or have better access to local amenities, such as restaurants and shopping.

• You’re not particularly fond of your current neighborhood.

• Your yard is too small, and you cannot expand it.

Reasons you may want to stay and remodel:

• You’re happy with your location. It’s convenient, you love your neighbors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor.

• You love the layout of your home.

• All you need is a little more space, and your home will be perfect.

Of course only you know what is truly important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares.

Once you’ve completed your list and your financial assessment, it’s time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? If you’re still feeling unsure and would like some additional assistance, contact me at 602-723-2306 or visit my mortgage website at www.seamlesslending.com or my real estate website at www.roccuzzorealty.com. Both contain a calculator that will assist you with the difficult task of quantifying the ramifications of your decision. In addition, you can learn tips to assist you with the next step, after you’ve determined what it will be.

If you choose to remodel, then you’ll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midstream.

If you decide to move, then there are low-cost improvements you can make to your existing home that will help it to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on investment in this area.

Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it’s important to ensure that you have proper financing in place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase a home, I can help you to determine how much you can afford, as well as which loan package works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of remodeling, we can talk about the “payback” that those improvements will give you. Otherwise you may severely limit the type of financing options available to you.

Technorati tags: home improvements, remodeling, added value improvements, relocate or remodel, contractor or real estate agent

There is a great debate within the inner-mortgage circles these days. Should we, as loan professionals, encourage clients to borrow as much money as possible? Or would consumers benefit more if we helped them to understand the advantages of 15-year amortization schedules and pre-paying principal? Let’s examine the pros and cons of both strategies.

Leveraging Your Property. In order to understand why you’d want to borrow as much as possible for your home purchase, you must first grasp the concept that equity has a zero rate of return. Here’s an example:

If Consumer “A” buys a home for $300,000, and puts 20% down, then they have $60,000 in equity. Over the next 5 years, the property appreciates $100,000 in value. Consumer “A” now has $160,000 in equity.

Consumer “B” buys a home for $300,000, and puts no money down. At the end of 5 years, that same home is now worth $400,000. Consumer “B” has $100,000 in equity, which is the same appreciation as Consumer “A”, a net $100,000.

As you can see, your down payment has nothing to do with your rate of return. What becomes important is how you choose to manage the $60,000 you didn’t use as a down payment. If you use it for frivolous activities, such as buying toys or going to Las Vegas, it would be more prudent for you to use that money as a down payment. Especially since this will enable you to obtain a lower interest rate.

However, if you were to invest the $60,000 in a vehicle that can out-earn the cost of that debt, then this could be a formula for success. This is why some lending professionals suggest putting as little down as you possibly can, maximizing your tax write-off, and investing the rest. This principle has been applied for many years in the life insurance game. The old saying goes, “Buy term and invest the rest.” The key component is taking the money you would have used as a down payment and creating an asset accumulation account. This account should earn a significant enough rate of return to enable you to pay your mortgage off entirely and achieve the ultimate goal of being debt-free.

Paying Your Home Down Rapidly. There are very few times over the course of my career that I have seen a client with zero debt and no financial difficulties. Choosing to pay off all of your debt can reduce stress and help you to gain freedom of cash flow for investment opportunities. A 15-year mortgage or a bi-weekly payment strategy provides structure. It can also put you on track to have your mortgage paid off within a set timeframe. Simply put, it contains built-in discipline.

It’s important, however, to understand that regardless of how rapidly you pay your home off, you’re not getting any greater rate of return on your investment than if you paid it off slowly.

Conclusion. So how does one determine which scenario is best? The choice depends entirely upon the individual. Savvy consumers who are disciplined, and are comfortable taking chances from an investment perspective, would do well with the first scenario. Over the course of time, it’s been proven that your rate of return over the long-haul will be far greater than the rate you’d pay for a mortgage in today’s rate environment. It’s important to seek the advice of a skilled investment advisor to ensure success with this strategy.

The second scenario is best for those who have a difficult time managing their money or who’ll sleep easier at night knowing they have a plan in place to pay their loan off more rapidly. Be sure that your budget can handle accelerated payments. When consumers “bite off more than they can chew” with a 15-year mortgage, they frequently end up having to refinance back into a 30-year schedule.

Technorati tags: 15 year mortgage, 30 year mortgage, investment strategies, fixed rate mortgages, current interest rates

Credit remediation is a subject consumers often face with fear and trepidation, and for good reason. With the exception of recognizing that the best score wins, the average home shopper knows very little about the whole credit scoring process. Sub-prime borrowers who are eager to move into A-Paper territory often find themselves at a loss when trying to find ways to upgrade their credit history. The good news is there are ways to improve less-than-perfect credit scores and obtain a loan for the home you really want.

The first step in the process is making sure that you have a current copy of your credit report. Congress recently amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act so that consumers may now receive one free credit report annually. There are three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Since entries can vary across bureaus, you’ll want to request a free report from each of the three companies. (Go to www.annualcreditreport.com)

It’s also important to know just what a good credit score is. Most A-Paper scores generally begin around 680, although this number may differ slightly among lenders. Don’t despair if you come up shy, there is always room for improvement. Increasing your score just 5 points can save a significant amount of money. For example, if your score is 698 and you increase it to 703, then you could save yourself thousands of dollars over time as a result of a slight improvement to your loan’s interest rate.

While credit repair is necessary for some, it’s not the only way to increase your credit score. Even if you have stellar credit, you can enhance your score through these steps:

• Evenly distribute your credit card debt to change the ratio of debt to available credit. Let’s say you have a credit score of 665. If you have debt on only one card, and four additional credit cards with zero balances, evenly distributing the debt of the first card could move you closer, and possibly into, that ideal bracket.

• Keep your existing accounts open and active. The average consumer is usually anxious to close credit card accounts that have zero balances, but doing this can cause them to lose the benefits of a long-term credit history and increase their ratio of debt-to-available credit. The bottom line is don’t close those old accounts!

• Keep credit inquiries to a minimum. Each inquiry into your credit history can impact your score anywhere from 2-50 points. When it comes to mortgage and auto loans, even though you’re only looking for one loan, multiple lenders may request your credit report. To compensate for this, the score counts multiple auto or mortgage inquiries in any 14-day period as just one inquiry, so try and stay within that time frame.

Remember, credit scores don’t change overnight. Improving them requires time and diligent effort on your part, so it’s a good idea to get the ball rolling at least three to six months prior to submitting your application for home financing.

If credit repair is what you need, you can either begin the process yourself or seek out a repair service. If you decide to make your own improvements, visit as many websites as possible to get information regarding credit laws and consumer rights. Diligently search through them and educate yourself to ensure that you don’t sustain any self-inflicted wounds. A good place to start would be the Federal Trade Commission’s website, which contains a wealth of helpful literature.

If you’re facing severe or complicated credit issues, then you’ll probably want to enlist the assistance of a professional credit repair company. Before you do, be sure to familiarize yourself with the FTC’s regulations on credit repair. With over 1100 credit repair companies to choose from, it’s important to be certain you are dealing with a reputable firm. Examine the FTC’s information on fraudulent practices to avoid falling prey to credit repair scams.

Addressing credit issues can be uncomfortable to say the least. But by taking these steps now, you’ll be that much closer to obtaining the home of your dreams.

Additional Resources:

To order your free credit report, go to:
www.annualcreditreport.com

To read the Fair Credit Reporting Act, go to:
www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/frca.htm

For the Federal Trade Commission’s information on consumer credit, go to:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/index.html

Technorati tags: credit repair, credit scoring, credit guidelines

Subprime mortgages have now been credited for bankrupting well over 110 lenders and seriously damaging operations at many major mortgage firms. They’ve reportedly wiped out 5 hedge funds, tens of thousands of jobs, and have led to millions of foreclosures with millions more on the way. And, as if that weren’t enough, subprime mortgages are also blamed for massive volatility in the stock, bond, credit, futures, and real estate markets here in the US and around the globe. Some say losses in the mortgage securities market alone could reach hundreds of billions of dollars this year.

This means that, for any Americans looking to buy, sell, or refinance a home, they are confronting a very different market from the one that existed just 6-12 months ago.

How did this happen?
The recent real estate boom was fueled by a period of record home appreciation and historically low interest rates. Banks, in order to compete, loosened guidelines and began offering more funding to more borrowers through riskier, non-conforming or “exotic” mortgages.

These ideal lending conditions persisted for several years, supported by high demand, historical real estate data, home prices, and massive trading volume/profits on mortgage-backed securities and other financial instruments on Wall Street.

Then, in 2006, a slowdown in real estate led to a deterioration of home values, an increase in inventories, and ultimately to today’s tightening of credit guidelines, leaving many investors unable to sell or refinance out of their existing positions. Many Americans who had tapped into their equity were suddenly tapped-out and overextended as home values fell. Foreclosures followed in record numbers and a re-valuation of mortgage bonds and other financial instruments created the credit/liquidity domino effect we’re now experiencing.

Unfortunately, it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. According to the latest estimates, over 2 million subprime and Alt-A adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) holders will face payment increases of up to 30%-100% when their loans reset in the next 2 to 18 months. These loans make up less than 40% of the total mortgage market, but the negative effects, as we have seen, of increased foreclosure activity can have a ripple effect throughout the industry and around the globe.

What does this mean to you and your mortgage?

Sellers: If you’re planning on selling your home, be prepared for an even smaller pool of qualified buyers. While some experts predict a settling of this credit crisis over the coming year, tightened credit guidelines and diminishing mortgage products could knock out as many as 15%-30% of potential qualified buyers. Now is not the time to sit and wait for the best possible price. Have a serious talk with your real estate agent. Having experienced buying/selling transactions in your area, he or she can help you price your home accordingly. He or she can also help ensure that your buyers are pre-approved and stay pre-approved throughout the entire transaction.

Buyers: Get pre-approved by your mortgage professional. While there are a lot of great deals out there, getting credit is becoming tougher and tougher, and it’s taking longer and longer to complete a transaction. Remember, what you qualify for today could change tomorrow in a volatile market. For those looking to refinance, keep this in mind. There is no time to delay! Communicate with your lender. Don’t do anything that could negatively affect your credit, and make sure you get all your documentation in on time.

ARMs Borrowers: If your ARM is scheduled to reset in the next 2-18 months, you need to schedule an appointment with a mortgage professional right away. Whether your ARM is subprime, Alt-A, or even if you have a pre-payment penalty, don’t let a default or foreclosure situation sneak up on you. Did you know that your monthly payments can increase anywhere from 30% to 100% once your loan resets? At the very least, give yourself the peace of mind of knowing what your adjusted payment will be.

Borrowers with less-than-perfect credit: Each week it seems lenders are shedding more and more mortgage products. Many lenders have stopped offering No-Doc loans and are reducing all forms of Stated-Income loans. While it might be challenging, borrowers with credit issues need to see a loan expert. Often they have credit repair resources and other strategies to help you reach your financial goals.

Finally, there’s an important concept to embrace: all markets, while cyclical in nature, are self-correcting, be it credit, real estate, stocks, or bonds. For the last 6 or 7 years, real estate was booming and riding high. The correction we’re experiencing now – while it seems harsh and could get much worse – is, in a sense, “natural” and directly related to the extremely loose guidelines and perhaps overzealous lending and leveraging during the boom cycle.

Technorati tags: subprime mortgages, decreasing home values, credit guidelines, credit repair, stated income loans

If you think it’s time to upgrade to a bigger home, a nicer home or a home in a area more to your liking, your next challenge will be getting there financially. It’s likely you’ll need more cash, a larger income and, perhaps, better credit than you had when you purchased your current home. Putting all the pieces in place for the move up could take some time and detailed planning.

1. Credit Clean-Up
Although your credit rating may have been sterling as a first-time home buyer, years of credit-card and utility accounts, car payments and consumer loans may have scuffed up that financial image a bit. Late or missed payments have a negative effect on your credit profile, as do large, long-term balances on your accounts. Your credit score, a rating system many lenders use to evaluate your financial situation, may prevent you from borrowing as much as you’d like for your next home or getting the lowest interest rate currently available.

The proactive upgrade buyer will take stock of his or her credit standing and debt status well before attempting the next home purchase. You may need some time to reduce your debt, catch up on any delinquent accounts, remove inaccuracies and blemishes from credit reports and make other adjustments to increase your credit score.

2. Loan Shopping
A quick way to sift through these issues is to contact a lender who can pull a credit report to see if there are any glaring spots on your record. If nothing needs immediate attention, you can continue on with a complete application, providing the financial information needed for loan pre-approval. The loan officer will determine the maximum loan amount you qualify for based on your income and debt profile.

You may want to shop around at this point, comparing loan programs and interest rates. Consider how well your current loan has worked for you and remember that rates aren’t everything. The lowest rate may be accompanied by high points. If so, you’ll have to keep the mortgage long enough to justify paying the steep up-front cost of the loan.
Consider whether a non-traditional mortgage program could meet your needs. An adjustable-rate mortgage may be a good choice if it looks as though interest rates will be rising. A 40-year mortgage might reduce the monthly payment enough so you qualify for a larger loan.

3. Collecting Cash
An important factor in the equation that determines your buying power will be how much cash you have for a down payment and closing costs. The best mortgage interest rates are available to buyers with down payments of 20% or more. If you make a smaller down payment, you may have to take a higher interest rate or pay for private mortgage insurance, both of which will reduce your buying power.

Unless you’re a prodigious saver, chances are the equity you have in your current home will provide the largest source of cash for your next home purchase. Equity, of course, is the difference between the market value of the home and the balance on any mortgages secured by the home.

We would be happy to conduct a comparative analysis of your home to determine the right sales price-at no obligation to you, of course. By determining the value of your house and subtracting out selling costs (paying off the old mortgage, marketing fees and settlement expenses), you’ll have the basis for a down payment on your move-up property.

4. Fine Tuning
After taking stock of your financial situation, you may find it necessary to delay your move in order to get the type of home you’ve targeted. Perhaps you need to save more cash for down payment and settlement costs. You may need to pay down outstanding debts to improve your credit score and qualify for a larger mortgage or a lower interest rate. Remember, it’s likely your home’s value and your equity in it will continue to grow as you get yourself in a position to move up successfully.

If you have questions, we can help @ www.seamlesslending.com. E-mail us now Name:FrankRoccuzzo Work Phone:602-723-2306 Email :FRANK@seamlesslending.com

Technorati tags: Phoenix home buyer, loan programs, amortization schedule, phoenix arizona mortgage payment calculator, financial planning