All first
time home buyers should get Pre-approved not
Pre-qualified!
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Many first time home buyers shop
for a home or condo and they get excited about a
property that they would like to purchase but discover
later that they may not be qualified. A first time home
buyer can avoid being disappointed by getting
pre-approved not pre-qualified. With
pre-qualification, a lender tells you "how much you can
qualify for" based upon information you provide but they
don't commit to making you a loan. On the other hand, a
pre-approval involves making an application, submitting
documentation, and obtaining a formal pre-approval
letter which is a commitment for a loan. The letter will
give you greater negotiating power and let sellers know
that you are a no problem buyer.
How to buy a
home with no money down!
Many first time home buyer
programs offer 0-3% down payment options with
approved credit. Some zero down first homebuyer programs
allow you to roll in closing costs so that you can go to
the closing table without writing a check! Most 3% down
programs allow the down payment to be in the form of a
100% gift. Many people believe that you need very low
income to qualify for these programs. Not true! For
example, there are programs which target areas of some
of the richest neighborhoods in the country and you can
have unlimited income to qualify. Don't put off buying
due to a lack of funds since there are many flexible
loan programs to meet your financial situation.
How to buy a
Home with damaged credit!
You
should not pass up the opportunity to own because
you feel that your credit is not good enough to qualify
for a loan. Today, most lenders understand that there
are circumstances in people's lives such as
unemployment, medical, etc., which lead to slow pay to
creditors and they offer programs for the creditly
challenged. You should run a credit report
with 3 scores and consult a mortgage professional
before closing the door on home ownership. He will
pre-qualify you and determine what program will best
suit your needs based on your credit report with 3
scores. You should let the loan officer know the reasons
for the credit delinquencies. Also, there are programs
which allow no credit history. If you do not qualify
for a loan now, you should work on improving your
credit over the next 6 months to 1 year and then decide
to buy.