Kevin P. Nguyen

Equity Zone Mortgage-Elk Grove, California

What Do First-Time Homebuyers Need To Know?

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What Do First-Time Homebuyers Need To Know?If you are purchasing a house for the first time, you are probably excited to imagine what your life might look like in a bunch of different houses. At the same time, the process can be a bit overwhelming. The housing market is competitive right now, the financing process can be confusing, and you might not know exactly what you are looking for. What are a few of the most important tips first-time home buyers need to know?

Reach Out To Experts For Help

First, you need to reach out to professionals who can help you during the process. For example, you should always reach out to a real estate agent with local knowledge. That way, they can help you figure out what house is best for your needs. You should also reach out to a local loan officer for a pre-approval letter. This will make your offer more competitive, and it will give you a budget with which to work.

Figure Out Your Down Payment

You need to figure out how much money you have for a down payment. If you are buying a house for the first time, you might be able to qualify for an FHA backed loan, which may allow you to purchase a house for less than 20 percent down. You may want to talk to an expert about how much money you should put towards your down payment versus how much money you should use to pay off other sources of debt. 

Keep Your Finances Stable During The Closing Process

After an offer has been accepted, you must make sure you keep your finances stable during the closing process. You do not want to pull money from your down payment for other big expenses, and you should not open any new credit cards. You should also try to avoid switching jobs during this time. Your loan officer will do a deep dive into your finances, and you must make sure everything is stable.

Get Ready To Buy A Home

Even though purchasing a house for the first time can be daunting, there are experts who can help you. As long as you have the right team behind you, you should find the right house to meet your needs.

 

What To Know About Flood Insurance

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What To Know About Flood InsuranceFlooding can happen in any location at any time. Even though many people associate floods with coastal properties, flooding can take place inland as well. That is why you always need to take a look at the map to figure out whether your property is located in a flood zone. There are some situations where your lender might require you to purchase flood insurance. What do you need to know?

What Is Protected And What Is Not?

When you purchase flood insurance, there are three broad components that you should examine. You need to check and see whether the policy covers the building, the contents of your home, and potential replacement expenses. Flood insurance policies generally insure any physical damage done to your house as well as any belongings you have inside your home. This might include your walls, household appliances, plumbing system, electrical system, clothing, and furniture.

On the other hand, most flood insurance policies do not cover your outdoor structures. For example, they will not protect your patio, swimming pool, fence, or vehicles parked outside the home.

What Is Your Flood Risk Level?

Your flood insurance premium will vary depending on where you are located. For example, if you are in a flood zone, your flood insurance premiums will probably be significantly higher; however, a significant percentage of flood claims occur in areas that are not located in a flood plain. While your premium should be lower, you may want to talk to your real estate agent to see whether it is worth it to purchase flood insurance.

Is Flood Insurance Required?

Flood insurance has its limitations, just like any other insurance policy. Therefore, you might be wondering whether it is required.

If it is required, it would be required by your lender. If your house is located in a flood zone, there is a significant chance that your lender will require you to purchase flood insurance as a requirement for financing. If you refuse to purchase flood insurance, then your lender might refuse to finance your property. You should always compare flood insurance premiums across different companies before you decide which one to go with. Be sure to compare policy coverage options and limitations as well. 

 

The Top Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted

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The Top Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted In A Seller's MarketThe housing market today is very competitive, and you might be wondering how you can get your offer accepted. If the seller has multiple offers on the table, it can be a bit of a challenge. Many people assume that the best way to get an offer accepted is to offer the most money. Even though that is certainly helpful, there are several other tips you should follow to make sure your offer is the one the seller picks.

Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage

First, you must make sure that you get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you are paying cash for the home, you should talk to a local loan officer to get a pre-approval letter. You don’t have to go with that company once the dust settles, but you need to get a pre-approval letter from a lender. That way, the seller will know that you have a high chance of getting approved for the loan.

Offer More Earnest Money

If you are willing to offer more earnest money, that will make the seller more comfortable. The seller is always worried that the buyer might pull out on the offer, meaning that their home will go back on the market. If you increase the amount of earnest money you put down, the seller will feel more confident that you are serious about buying the home.

Give The Seller The Option To Rent Back

If the seller accepts your offer, you will have between four and six weeks before your first mortgage payment is due. Therefore, you won’t have any payments after closing for a while. If the seller is not ready to move yet, or if the seller has not found a new home, offer the seller an opportunity to rent the home back for free. This will give the seller more time to get everything in order before they move. 

Increase The Strength Of Your Offer

In a seller’s market, you need to make your offer stand out. Otherwise, you may have a difficult time finding a house, particularly if you cannot pay cash. If you follow these tips, you can increase your chances of having your offer picked by the seller. 

 

The Quick and Easy Guide to Determining How Big of a Mortgage Your Family Can Afford

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The Quick and Easy Guide to Determining How Big of a Mortgage Your Family Can AffordAre you shopping around for a new house or apartment? One of the key considerations you will need to make is figuring out how much you want to invest in your new home. Below you’ll find our quick and easy guide to determining just how much “house” you can afford. Let’s get started!

Start By Making A Proper Budget

The first thing you’ll want to do is sit down and get a full budget put together. The easiest way to get the process started is to begin with two lists: income and expenses. For the income list, write down the amount of money your family brings in each month after taxes. If you have side income sources or extra income that tends to fluctuate over time, use the average amount for the past six months.

For the expenses list, write down all the spending that you do each month. Start with the major, stable items like rent, utilities and the like. Then work your way through to discretionary spending like dining out and other sources of entertainment. If it helps, go through your bank and credit card statements to ensure that you are not missing anything.

Once you have an accurate budget, you’ll know exactly how much you can afford to pay toward your mortgage payments each month.

Figure Out How Much You Can Put Down

Next, you’ll need to think about how much cash you want to pay as a down payment on your home. The larger the down payment you can afford, the smaller amount of mortgage financing you’ll need. While it might seem like a good idea to put as much as you can down, there are some things to consider. Any money you put against your down payment is going to be unavailable to you, which reduces your financial options. You’ll also lose the opportunity to invest it, which means missing out on potential returns over time.

Determine How Much House You Actually Need

Finally, give some thought as to how large or luxurious a home you want to buy. For example, if you have a small family and don’t need a large four- or five-bedroom house, you can instead opt for a smaller but more luxurious home. Conversely, if space is a priority, you may want to forego the high-end options to ensure you have enough room.

When you’re ready to explore your mortgage options, we’re ready to help. Contact your trusted mortgage professional at your convenience. We’re committed to helping you purchase the home of your dreams.

Important Things To Know Before Signing Your Reverse Mortgage

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Read This Before Signing Your Reverse MortgageThere are many reasons people take out reverse mortgages. However, this option is usually considered by cash-strapped seniors who own their homes and are looking to ease the burden of their golden years.

The beauty of reverse mortgages is that you’ll receive money as long as you are current on property taxes and homeowners insurance.

While this seems like an appealing opportunity, it’s a decision that should not be made lightly. Not only is the reverse mortgage complicated in itself, but homeowners make all sorts of mistakes when they’re too quick to sign the dotted line. So if you’re considering one, be wary of the common pitfalls below.

Buying Into A Scam

With reverse mortgages becoming a more common option for those over 62, mischievous opportunists are searching for ways to solicit seniors in need of help. Scammers will take advantage by charging high fees, funneling off parts of payments, creating fake loans or committing identity theft. Ensure you use a lender approved by the Federal Housing Association.

Confusing Your Payment Options

Reverse mortgages come in many forms. You can get the amount in one lump sum. Tenure payments are another option that give you a certain amount each month until you die or move out. There are also term payments, lines of credit, and modified tenure and term payments. You need to take the time to research your options and decide which one will be best for you in the long run.

Compromising Government Assistance

There are several government assistance programs that set asset limits on your monthly spending. These programs provide aid for low-income and disabled individuals. If any assistance programs financially support you, then be sure to consult their advisers before determining your reverse mortgage plan.

Disregarding Other Options

Reverse mortgages are extremely expensive and many people see them as their only option. However, there are other alternatives. Consider taking out a personal loan, downsizing or even taking on roommates. The Golden Girls always seemed to have fun.

A reverse mortgage could be just the thing to give you the extra cash flow you need and ease your mind. However, make sure you’re consulting a trusted home financing specialist, reading the fine print and have carefully considered all your options.

The Top Tips To Remember When Moving

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The Top Tips To Remember When MovingIf you have recently purchased a home, you are probably excited to move into your new house; however, the moving process can be stressful. There are a few important tips you need to keep in mind if you are moving soon. Make sure to plan ahead, as there are several ways to save time and money.

Get Quotes From A Few Moving Companies

First, you need to get multiple quotes from multiple moving companies. If you have heavy furniture, it is better to hire a moving company to reduce the chances of your furniture getting damaged. When you talk to moving companies, make sure they can handle the items you have. If you have a grand piano, make sure the moving company is comfortable moving it safely.

Get Rid Of The Items You Do Not Need

Before you move, make sure you get rid of the items you do not need. You may want to start by dividing your items into three piles. Create a pile for items you want to keep, another pile for the items you will donate, and a third pile for the items you throw away. Get a receipt for the items you donate, as you might be able to deduct the value of the items from your taxes as charitable donations.

Pack Up Before The Movers Get There

While you might be able to ask the movers to help you pack, it is better to pack before they get there. Label the boxes so you know where they go in your new house. Movers usually charge by the hour, so if you can save them some time, you can save yourself some money. Remember that moving expenses could be tax-deductible, but talk to an account if you have questions about tax deductions.

Get Ready For The Moving Process

These are a few of the most important tips you need to keep in mind if you are moving soon. While the moving process can be a bit busy and frustrating, if you plan ahead, you can streamline the process. There might even be opportunities for you to save money. Remember that you should get quotes from multiple moving companies before you decide which moving company you go with.