Chicago's North Shore - North and Northwest Suburbs Real Estate Archive

Dave Luczak of Inlanta Mortgage (www.Inlanta.com), forwarded the following information regarding special financing that might help agents provide new opportunities to their clients.  He sheds light on some the of novel financing opportunities for those who may purchase a property needing repairs, expansion or other improvments.  He advises:

"When showing your clients a home that needs repair, give them some information on our Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203K renovation loans. These loans are perfect for a bargain hunter who has spotted a fixer-upper or a foreclosure in need of immediate repair, or a client who has found a home that would be ideal if only there were a third bedroom and a second bathroom (or needing MAJOR remodeling!)

Our renovation loans provide the money to both purchase the home and finance the home's renovation. With one loan, there is only one application, one set of fees, one closing and one monthly payment. At closing, the house is paid for, and the repair money is put into a trustee account for disbursement as repairs are completed. Improvements can include anything that adds value to the home, such as a room addition, new carpeting, APPLIANCES,  landscaping, plumbing, roofing or a new kitchen. The loan can also be used for energy-efficiency improvements that qualify for tax credits* under the new stimulus package.

Another great advantage of a renovation loan is that it provides borrowers a loan based on the increased property value after renovation. But that's not the only financial upside. The required down payment on a renovation loan can be as low as 3.5%. As a tax deductible first mortgage, the renovation loan will usually feature a lower interest rate than a second mortgage (impossible to get now!) and improvement costs can be spread over the term of the loan. The loan can also provide financing for up to six months of mortgage payments if the house is not occupied during construction."

Dave also reminds us that it is best to always consult your tax advisor for tax information and advice.

When homebuyers apply for a mortgage, the lender will look at what is called a debt-to-income ratio.  This is an important aspect and the loan could be denied if the ratio is too high. Below is more information on why is it important to you and how it effects your financing.

Debt-to-income ratio is simply a comparison of the money you earn to the money you owe. It includes credit card debt, existing mortgages, auto loans, and any other personal debt.

Your mortgage lender will look at your Debt-To-Income (DTI) to evaluate your ability to afford your new mortgage. You should have a good idea of what your DTI ratio is before you approach a lender or consider buying a new home.

You ultimately want to achieve a low DTI ratio. A high number means that you have less disposable income and less ability to maintain the home once you purchase it. With foreclosures at an all time high, lenders are not willing to assume any additional risk in lending.

Most lenders seek DTI ratios in the 20-36% range or lower, with no more than 28% of debt dedicated to the mortgage itself. While some lenders will consider higher ratios, DTIs in the upper 30% range are considered high risk.

There are several different calculators available online to help you determine your ratio, and you can always check with your financial institution for guidance on determining your DTI ratio.

Here’s a simple formula:

1. Add all your monthly payments (mortgage or rent, car, credit cards, any other debt payments)
2. Add your gross income (before taxes), bonuses, alimony, or any other outside income and divide by 12
3. Then divide the total number in (1) by the final number in (2)
4. The result is your DTI ratio

Whether you are ready to buy a new home or are just interested in your financial health, it’s a good idea to know your DTI and understand the steps to lower your ratio and become as close to debt-free as you can.

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage lending giants are facing pressure on their position on principal reductions that is out of step with the Obama administration’s directives to expand principal write downs.

The result of this reluctance to get with the program? Nearly 60% (average of both) of their loans were in default a year after modification, compared to 40% of bank mortgages (who are actively reducing principal on their own loans).

Pressed to comment on whether or not they will consider this tactic, both companies and the Treasury Department have been silent.

Both Fannie and Freddie were placed into federal conservatorship in 2008, getting a $127 billion Treasury boost in the process. Their reluctance to agree to the Obama administration’s mandate to consider principal reductions may just be prolonging the inevitable, and it looks like they are running out of time. Housing experts agree that it’s time they get with the program, including putting into play the $75M they have already set aside for preventing foreclosures. The longer they wait, the number of loans backed by Freddie and Fannie that are in default continue to rise.

Obama’s Hardest Hit Fund has tasked ten states with coming up with reasonable efforts to assist unemployed and underwater homeowners. The $2.1B fund should help states put some teeth into their efforts to get Fannie and Freddie to agree to match reductions or provide other relief assistance.

Time will tell, but the rates of default and redefault at F&F continue to rise as time goes by.

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Many mortgage lenders tend to advertise with satisfied customers who appear to have been approved for a loan. The truth is unfortunately that this isn't always the case and a lot of people get denied for a loan, especially in this economy. However, it is important for homebuyers to realize that it isn't always the lenders fault. Of course they would like potential customers to assume that they will be approved but the loan industry is a very risky one right now and they have to protect their assets.  If you have been denied recently or in the past for a loan, it's time to take control of the situation and do whatever you can to educate yourself on how to change that NO answer to a YES answer! Here, to help you out are some suggestions.

• Consider a co-signer if your income simply is not high enough to qualify for the actual loan. The co-signer's income can possibly be considered as an amount towards your loan regardless if the person is living with you or helping you pay the actual bill. In many cases, the cosigner might also be able to compensate for your low credit. It is important however to understand that there are risks for your cosigner and if you default on your mortgage, the lender can actually in turn go after your cosigner for the full amount!
• Wait it out.  Sometimes the best advice you can get, especially if the conditions in the housing market is slow or the economy is bad, is to simply wait. Oftentimes when conditions improve in the economy, the lenders will be more willing to let you "borrow" the money for your loan. While you are waiting, you can take this time to work on your credit score. While you are waiting, home prices could also drop!
• Consider a less expensive property. We all want what we want, but you might have a better chance of being approved if you switch to a less expensive option. For example, if you wanted a house, but you cannot wait and you cannot qualify for the loan, you might consider switching to a smaller home or to a town home instead. Later on down the line when your financial situation improves, then you can trade up the property and move to the location and home you really want to.
• Apply with a different lender. The world is full of lenders, if you don't like what one says or you get denied - try someone else! However, if every single lender you go to denies you, you should become aware that it is for a reason - in fact, if they all list the same reason then you will know what you need to fix.  Use common sense and stay away from predatory lenders. We have heard some pretty scary stories about these places - so just don't do it. You could literally be signing your life away.

Keep in mind that if you are denied, keep trying and work on your credit and then in a few months try again! With a little time, patience and understanding, you could be able to turn the situation around to your favor!

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It is a common to find in many neighborhoods foreclosed homes due to the sluggish economy. Many homeowners are struggling to make the monthly mortgage payment.  Even with these tough times, the good news is that many lenders are more willing than to negotiate terms to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. By renegotiating their mortgage, homeowners may be able to get a lower finance rate as well as change your rate from a high fixed-rate mortgages or adjustable-rate.

 Most lenders require that you have at least 10 percent equity in your home. You can easily check the value of your home on sites such as Zillow.com and I can provide you with a free and quick estimate of your home’s worth. In addition, most lenders typically will require that you have a credit score of at least 720 to qualify for good rates.

Lenders are aware of the many fiscal difficulties borrowers have in making their mortgage payments when hardships arise. However, they typically won't volunteer or advertise their help. So if you are struggling to make your payments on time, it is vital that you take the initiative and contact your lender and give them a heads up on your current financial hardship before you miss payments.  Keep in mind that lenders have more incentive than ever to work with you. Plunging property values mean they’re recovering less now on foreclosures. Plus, many that received cash infusions from the U.S. Treasury are under pressure to show that they’re responding to the housing crisis.

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In a recent article, Realtor.com featured 10 top "green" cities that put clean air, clean water, renewable energy and green public transportation first. Chicago was on that list!

Chicago offers it's residents renewable and sustainable energy as well as a commitment to improve the standard of living. Our city also has 42 green-certified building projects, with more to come.

Eventhough Chicago is already green, the city aspires to improve even more and hopes to buy 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources this year. Local officials also will offer tax incentives to homeowners who invest in Chicago’s many historic homes and retrofit them with energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

Tourism is also "green". Many people are unaware that all of the city’s nine museums and the Art Institute of Chicago have been converted to run partially on solar power. Boaters and swimmers who enjoy the city's lakefront will be happy to know that the water quality is rated as excellent by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

During the home buying process you will eventually need to obtain financing. This can be confusing and it can be easy to make mistakes, especially if you are a first time homebuyer. Below are some tips you can follow to avoid making some of the most common mortgage mistakes.

1.Do your research on the different mortgage options. You want to make sure to select the right financing for you and not one that will hold you down for even a short period of time with the wrong mortgage. It is vital to investigate all your options, then crunch the numbers and weigh your options.  Be sure to look at initial interest rates, future interest rates and payments (if different), and the possibility of prepayment penalties.

2. Avoid excessive credit. Having too much credit is almost as bad as having bad credit. Lenders will focus on this even if you pay your bills on time and you could get turned down for a mortgage. Postpone any big ticket purchases until after you buy your house.

3. Be truthful on your loan application. While this may seem like a no brainer, even if you exaggerate your income slightly or stretch the truth on other questions, it is a federal offense. While it is rare that you would get arrested, it can cause big problems down the road if the lender finds out. Lenders they can call your loan due and payable. Remember to never sign your name to a loan application that is not completely filled out, you will be held responsible for anything on the application.

4. Not fixing your credit. Even before you even think about applying for a mortgage, obtain copies of your credit report and your FICO credit score. Your FICO score is the three-digit number that's used in 75% of mortgage-lending decisions. Dong this at least six months in advance should give you plenty of time to correct any errors on your report and ensure that they're removed by the time you're ready to apply for a loan.

A "piggyback loan" is a home financing option in which a property is purchased using more than one mortgage from two or more lenders. While there are many variations, the piggyback loan, also known as the 80-10-10 loan can typically be defined as a 10 percent second mortgage coupled with a traditional 80 percent first lien and a 10 percent down payment, hence the 80-10-10. But this type of a loan can be mixed in different variation to make up the difference between a conventional loan and almost any amount of down payment. Other examples are an 80-5-15 or the 80-20 loan.

A piggyback loan is basically a second mortgage given at the time of a home purchase or a refinance. This type of a loan allows the home buyer to acquire or refinance a home with less than a 20 percent down payment or equity. An advantage to this type of loan is that the homebuyer does not need to carry private mortgage insurance (PMI). 

Homebuyers can also use piggyback loans as a source of funding for making a bigger downpayment on the new home. Homeowners who don't have the funds to make the 20 percent downpayment can use this loan to their advantage because private mortgage insurance can be expensive and is not tax deductible. 

When purchasing a home, part of the process to complete the sale is when the potential homeowner will enter into escrow. Many first time homebuyers have many questions about the escrow process. Below are some clarification and information on this important process. 

What is an escrow?
An escrow is an arrangement in which a disinterested third party, called a escrow holder, holds legal documents and funds on behalf of a buyer and seller, and distributes them according to the buyer’s and seller’s instructions. The escrow becomes the depository for all monies, instructions and documents pertaining to the purchase of your home.

How does the escrow process work?

The escrow is a depository for all monies, instructions and documents necessary for the purchase of the home, including  funds for the down payment, lender’s funds and documents for the new loan. The duties of an escrow holder include: following the instructions given by the principals and parties to the transaction in a timely manner; handling the funds and/or documents in accordance with instructions; paying all bills as authorized;  closing the escrow only when all terms and conditions have been met; and, distributing the funds in accordance with instructions.

Do I need documentation?
Receipt of your deposit is generally included in your copy of your purchase contract. Your funds will then be deposited in your separate escrow or trust account and processed through your local bank.

What information will I have to provide?
Typically you will be asked to complete a statement of identity as part of the necessary paperwork. Because many people have the same name, the statement of identity is to identify the specific person in the transaction through such information as date of birth, social security number, etc. This information is kept confidential.

How long is the escrow?
The length of an escrow is determined by the terms of the purchase agreement and can range from a few days to several months. Typically an escrow often takes an average time of 30 to 45 days.

When does the escrow process end?

The escrow process ends when you actually close on the home, during the closing procedure. This is when all funds are transferred accordingly, when all documents are signed, and when you get the keys to your new home.

It is a known fact that when you purchase a homeyou will have many different expenses related to the sale. It is important to know as well that when you sell your home, you will also have expenses that will be required. Below is a list of some of the most common costs that come with selling your home.

Closing Costs: Although most of the closing costs are the responsibility of the buyer, the seller is expected to pay the property taxes and insurance up to the date of the closing, even if they're not due yet. in addition, some buyers will ask the seller for help with other closing costs as part of the negotiations.

Realtor Commission: Typically there's a 4 percent to 7 percent commission on the sale price of the house if you opt to go with an agent. Usually this rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent, so be sure to account for this cost when pricing your home and figuring up your expenses that come with selling your home.

Home Inspections: Although the buyer pays for the home and pest inspections, it's a good idea to get your own inspection before putting your house on the market. This way you're aware of any hidden problems before selling.

Legal expenses: Even if you are using a real estate professional and not selling your home yourself, you still may want an attorney to examine the sales contract and assist with closing, which can be complicated.

Prepayment penalty: Many mortgages have prepayment penalties if you pay off the mortgage early. Be sure to examine your mortgage agreement and read the fine print.

Many homeowners are not aware of the costs involved with selling a home but there are some perks as well. With any home sale you are eligible for a tax write off of up to $250,000 gained in the sale of your home for a single owner, and $500,000 for married couples. This applies for most state taxes as well; check with a tax professional to get all the details of any tax credit that may be available to you and your situation.