First, shop for a low interest rate specific to the mortgage type you are seeking.  If you are not sure which mortgage best suits your financial situation, then ask an experienced FL Mortgage Professional.  Once you have a low rate in mind, ask about obtaining an upfront good faith estimate of costs.  Only with an upfront estimate can you compare interest rate and cost associated to obtain that rate.  Some television ads promote, for example, today’s current 30 yr fixed rate at 4.375% – which is wonderful.  Until you read the fine print (you’ll have to freeze the frame as it disappears faster than the interest rate offered).  You learn the rate will cost 2 full discount points (or 2% of the amount borrowed).  Pretty expensive.  And what about recovery periods?  Closing costs matter when comparing rates – Get in in writing!

Next, and the most important question; ask about closing time-lines.  If you have a home contract that requires you to close within 30 days – make sure the lender or bank you are working with can meet that scheduled closing.  If you don’t feel confident this can be accomplished, find another lender.   Call, 321.987.9876 or email and we will put you in the right hands of a FL mortgage lender that continues to close FHA, and Fannie Mae conventional loans under 30-days. 

Remember, ask about interest rate, get cost estimate in writing and know their turnaround times to close.  It matters.

Be sure you are asking the right questions as jumbo mortgages can differ with each lender.  Sure, the interest rate may be extremely low and is fixed for 5 years (for example), but what about the Index, caps and margin?  First ask what the Index is tied to , and what the current Index is for the day.  You may even want to review the history of that Index to ensure you are comfortable with it’s historic changes.  Next, determine what the adjustment caps are for this particular FL jumbo loan.  Can your interest rate adjust up or down by 2% in the first adjustment year?  Or is your first adjustment cap the same as your life cap – putting more pressure once the 5 years is up?  And last, ask about the margin.  The margin is the fixed percentage that never changes during the life of the loan.  When the interest rate is adjusted, the fixed margin is added to the adjusting index to determine your new adjusted rate for usually the following 12 months.  You will have great results when you are working with an experienced FL mortgage professional.

FL jumbo markets have turned around and jumbo mortgages, especially the shorter fixed rate terms have never looked so good.  Call now at 321.987.9876 or contact us via email for more information with your next FL jumbo mortgage loan.

• Finance your next FL home without having to pay for an appraisal!  With the HomePath mortgage, appraisals not required.  Keep in mind, you can obtain your own, independent appraisal – for piece of mind.
• Down payments can be as low as 3% for owner occupied homes and 10% for vacation or 2nd homes and investment properties.
• Enjoy lower monthly payments, as there is no PMI (private mortgage insurance) requirement. 
• And with sellers contributing up to 6% towards closing costs for primary and second homes; or up to 2% for investment properties; FL home buyers continue to save.

 If you’re looking for a local Fannie Mae Homepath Realtor or to find out if you qualify for a Homepath mortgage loan; call 321-987-9876 or email info@beechtreemortgage.com.

Think about this for a minute.  It is true that obtaining a FL mortgage in today’s market is more difficult than ever.  Banks have tightened their requirements, on top of already restrictive guidelines from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and HUD (FHA loans).  Some banks require credit scores in the 660 range before allowing hard working and well deserved home buyers to move forward on their new FL dream home.

If you are looking to purchase a FL home or have a client with less than perfect credit scores; have them contact us or call 321-987-9876.  We don’t believe that a credit score of 619 should disqualify you from buying your first FL home.

Members of our US armed forces as well as number of Federal employees on official extended duty (any period of extended duty outside of the US, for at least 90 days, between the periods starting December 31st, 2008 and ending May 30th, 2010) have an extra 12 months to purchase their next FL home and still qualify for the $8,000 tax credit that has expired for others.

The extension allows Veterans or qualified Federal employees to secure a binding contract on or before April 30th, 2011 and close on their new FL home by June 20th, 2011.  Veterans do enjoy advantages when using their VA Entitlement towards a FL VA home loan.  But keep in mind, other mortgage programs available include; FHA home loans, VA Jumbo loans, Fannie Mae conventional programs, etc.

It pays to search for a FL mortgage professional team with experience.  With experience comes the ability to provide upfront mortgage insight to home buyers approval ability, prior to application. 

Recently I  had a FL home buyer who spoke to their bank loan officer offering an awesome low fixed rate quote.  They provided all income and asset information along with the formal loan application.  Their mortgage file  then was turned over to a processor who orders, in this case, an FHA case number and a full FHA appraisal and gathers additional required documents to submit to underwriting for a loan commitment.  And days later, they find their FHA mortgage loan was never had a chance for approval.

And what about that low fixed interest rate that grabbed their attention?  No approval - no low  interest rate.  I see it all the time.  The low advertised loan rate opens the door for an application and documentation gathering which wastes everyones time and ends in emotional chaos for the home buyer and their FL Realtor. 

 The most important thing a FL home buyer can do when seeking a new mortgage is to inquire with an experienced FL mortgage professional and review probable approval options.  Inexperience leads to guessing and guessing doesn’t secure your low interest rate that you thought was promised.  Speak to a knowledgeable FL mortgage professional.  And happy house hunting!

Some Oviedo home buyers sought financing from a mortgage broker while others depended on well-known name brand large banks.  Now, banks do have their additional underwriting restrictions (that’s for another blog) that some mortgage companies get to avoid.  But  it seemed no matter which avenue an Oviedo home buyer took; it either took several long weeks or months to get denied! 

That’s why successful Oviedo first time home buyers need to work with experienced mortgage loan officers.  Preferably at a local mortgage lender where you can get sound mortgage insight before you jump into buying your next home. A seasoned mortgage professional will assess your home buyers specific financial situation and let you know immediately if you are qualified to move forward.  No sense in wasting time these days.  For your next Oviedo FL mortgage approval fee free to contact me directly at 321-987-9876.

An escrow hold-back policy on conventional FL mortgages makes repairing or upgrading minor repairs, on FL home purchases, very easy.  Allowances can be  up to $5,000 to be held in escrow for these repairs or upgrades.  This should be available for FL mortgages on primary homes, 2nd homes or vacation homes and FL investment properties.  You can use this to replace carpets, tile flooring, paint the interior, etc.

So when you are shopping for your next FL home and it needs a little TLC; ask about an escrow hold-back policy on conventional loans.  Embrace the possibilities.  For more information on this or other FL construction type mortgages contact me at info@beechtreemortgage.com or call now at  321.987.9876.

IRRRL stands for Interest  Rate Reduction Refinance Loan and many refer to it as a streamlined refinance program for VA home loans.  The biggest advantage is there is no requirement for an appraisal.  Although in today’s declined market situation, many lenders or banks may ask for a drive-by appraisal to determine equity position. 

Typically credit reports are streamlined as well; reviewing only the previous 12 months of mortgage payment history.  Each lender is different so remember to ask.  Remember too, there are no income requirements – so income qualifying is not an issue with a VA IRRRL loan.

The VA funding fee is reduced to just 0.50% and can be paid in cash or rolled into the new VA mortgage loan amount.  And even though you cannot receive more than $500 as cash-out; everything else is typically rolled into the loan amount allowing the Veteran not to bring any cash to closing. 

For more information on VA IRRRL streamlined refinance loans please call your experience FL VA mortgage professional or contact us today.

Fannie Mae wants to unload these homes without having FL home buyers incurring usual hassles like appraisal inspections- because appraisals are not even required.  Also, there is no qualifying for PMI (with respect to credit scores) as with most conventional loans; or paying an upfront mortgage insurance premium and monthly PMI, as associated with FL FHA mortgages.  In fact, there is no mortgage insurance, at all. 

Thinking about purchasing  a second home or even an investment property?  Go ahead.  Guidelines allow for down payments for primary homes as little as 3%; second homes or FL vacation homes require only require a 10% down payment.  Even investment properties can be obtained with a 10% down payment and no private mortgage insurance.  What a deal!

Lest we forget – while negotiating the contract price with your favorite FL Realtor, remember Sellers can contribute up to 6% for primary homes with only a 3% down payment.  For down payments of 25%, second home and primary home purchase can have contributions of up to 9%!  Structuring the initial contract is very important because you can save thousands in out-of-pocket expenses and/or long term mortgage interest costs.

Whether searching in Brevard County, Seminole County, Orange County or almost any other FL County; more information on your next FL home may be available right now by contacting your FL mortgage professionalor visiting HomePath.