Many buyers call their lender seeking information about financing. In the process, they become pre-qualified. That gives them a good idea of what they can afford, or more accurately, what loan amount they qualify for.
You should take it one step further, however, and ask to be pre-approved. When you become pre-approved, you actually apply for a loan. The lender checks credit, verifies employment, and often verifies that you have sufficient funds to close. Then once you find your dream home, just about the only thing left is the appraisal.
The reason savvy buyers obtain loan approval before shopping for a home is that it strengthens their negotiating position when they make an offer. All sellers want to sell their home to a pre-approved buyer. Pre-approval can also cut days, even weeks, off the closing process.
Pre-approval can really help you to determine your price range, which helps you narrow your choices of homes to buy. You will already know how much you can afford before you even start looking.
Call me if you would like the name of a lender to pre-approve you for a loan, or if you have any questions about preapproval. I am happy to help.
Diane McLaffertyAssociate Broker -GRI, ePro
Warren Real Estate(607) 330-5243
diane@warrenhomes.com
www.soldonithaca.com
real estate resources, listings and information for ithaca, ny
Most lenders require you to pay a portion of your own funds--the down payment--toward the purchase of a home. Saving for a down payment can be one of the most challenging steps in buying a home.
ReplyDeleteYour down payment plus your pre-approved loan amount will determine how much home you can afford. A down payment can come from many places: savings, investments such as stocks and bonds, gifts from relatives, company bonuses, equity in other assets, and life insurance policies, to name a few. Then again, there may be home mortgage alternatives that do not require a down payment.
If you currently own a home, then you may want the equity you have built in that house to serve as the down payment on your next home. But how much is your current home worth? I would be happy to provide you with a market valuation so that you will know its current value.
With some basic information about your home, I can establish a list of comparable properties in your area as reported by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). If you would like a more precise and thorough market evaluation, I can stop by for a quick view of your home.
Please call or email me if you are interested in a free market evaluation of your home or if you have any questions.
Diane McLafferty
Associate Broker -GRI, ePro
Warren Real Estate
(607) 330-5243
diane@warrenhomes.com
www.soldonithaca.com