A VA loan is guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs. Individuals who have served in the armed forces for a specified time may be eligible for this type of loan.

 

An FHA loan, on the other hand, is guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA is a government agency that works with approved lenders such as Prime One Home Loans.

The annual percentage rate (APR) is an interest rate reflecting the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate. This rate is likely to be higher than the stated note rate or advertised rate on the mortgage, because it takes into account points and other credit costs. The APR allows homebuyers to compare different types of mortgages based on the annual cost for each loan. The APR is designed to measure the “true cost of a loan.” It creates a level playing field for lenders. It prevents lenders from advertising a low rate and hiding fees.

 

The APR does not affect your monthly payments. Your monthly payments are strictly a function of the interest rate and the length of the loan.

 

Because APR calculations are effected by the various different fees charged by lenders, a loan with a lower APR is not necessarily a better rate. The best way to compare loans is to ask lenders to provide you with a good-faith estimate of their costs on the same type of program (e.g. 30-year fixed) at the same interest rate. You can then delete the fees that are independent of the loan such as homeowners insurance, title fees, escrow fees, attorney fees, etc. Now add up all the loan fees. The lender that has lower loan fees has a cheaper loan than the lender with higher loan fees.

 

The following fees are generally included in the APR:

• Points – both discount points and origination points
• Pre-paid interest. The interest paid from the date the loan closes to the end of the month.
• Loan-processing fee
• Underwriting fee
• Document-preparation fee
• Private mortgage-insurance
• Escrow fee

 

The following fees are normally not included in the APR:

• Title or abstract fee
• Borrower Attorney fee
• Home-inspection fees
• Recording fee
• Transfer taxes
• Credit report
• Appraisal fee

PITI is principal, interest, taxes and insurance – the basic components of a monthly mortgage payment if escrows are being included.

It’s generally a good time to refinance when mortgage rates are 2% lower than the current rate on your loan. It may be a viable option even if the interest rate difference is only 1% or less. Any reduction can trim your monthly mortgage payments. Example: Your payment, excluding taxes and insurance, would be about $770 on a $100,000 loan at 8.5%; if the rate were lowered to 7.5%, your payment would then be $700, now you’re saving $70 per month. Your savings depends on your income, budget, loan amount, and interest rate changes. Your trusted lender can help you calculate your options.

Depending on your situation and eligibility, we have several down payment options. Your Prime One Home Loans loan officer will be able to help you find a loan program that best fits your financial goals and needs.

The property is officially transferred from the seller to you at “Closing” or “Funding“.

 

At closing, the ownership of the property is officially transferred from the seller to you. This may involve you, the seller, real estate agents, your attorney, the lender’s attorney, title or escrow firm representatives, clerks, secretaries, and other staff. You can have an attorney represent you if you can’t attend the closing meeting, i.e., if you’re out-of-state. Closing can take anywhere from 1-hour to several depending on contingency clauses in the purchase offer, or any escrow accounts needing to be set up.

 

Most paperwork in closing or settlement is done by attorneys and real estate professionals. You may or may not be involved in some of the closing activities; it depends on who you are working with.

 

Prior to closing you should have a final inspection, or “walk-through” to insure requested repairs were performed, and items agreed to remain with the house are there such as drapes, lighting fixtures, etc.

 

In most states the settlement is completed by a title or escrow firm in which you forward all materials and information plus the appropriate cashier’s checks so the firm can make the necessary disbursement. Your representative will deliver the check to the seller, and then give the keys to you.

Yes, if you plan to stay in the property for a least a few years. Paying discount points to lower the loan’s interest rate is a good way to lower your required monthly loan payment, and possibly increase the loan amount that you can afford to borrow. However, if you plan to stay in the property for only a year or two, your monthly savings may not be enough to recoup the cost of the discount points that you paid up-front.

You may obtain a copy of your credit report through the credit bureaus. You will receive a copy of your appraisal a minimum of three days prior to your closing.

An Appraisal is an estimate of a property’s fair market value. It’s a document generally required (depending on the loan program) by a lender before loan approval to ensure that the mortgage loan amount is not more than the value of the property. The Appraisal is performed by an “Appraiser” typically a state-licensed professional who is trained to render expert opinions concerning property values, its location, amenities, and physical conditions.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): “The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. It does not reflect fees or any other charges you may have to pay for the loan. An Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a broader measure of cost to you of borrowing money. The APR reflects not only the interest rate but also the points, broker fees, and certain other charges that you have to pay to get the loan, including certain of your closing costs. For that reason, your APR is usually higher than your interest rate.”

Credit scoring models are complex and often vary among creditors and for different types of credit. If one factor changes, your score may change — but improvement generally depends on how that factor relates to other factors considered by the model. Only the creditor can explain what might improve your score under the particular model used to evaluate your credit application.

 

Nevertheless, scoring models generally evaluate the following types of information in your credit report:

• Have you paid your bills on time? Payment history typically is a significant factor. It is likely that your score will be affected negatively if you have paid bills late, had an account referred to collections, or declared bankruptcy, if that history is reflected on your credit report.
• What is your outstanding debt? Many scoring models evaluate the amount of debt you have compared to your credit limits. If the amount you owe is close to your credit limit, that is likely to have a negative effect on your score.
• How long is your credit history? Generally, models consider the length of your credit track record. An insufficient credit history may have an effect on your score, but that can be offset by other factors, such as timely payments and low balances.
• Have you applied for new credit recently? Many scoring models consider whether you have applied for credit recently by looking at “inquiries” on your credit report when you apply for credit. If you have applied for too many new accounts recently, that may negatively affect your score. However, not all inquiries are counted. Inquiries by creditors who are monitoring your account or looking at credit reports to make “prescreened” credit offers are not counted.
• How many and what types of credit accounts do you have? Although it is generally good to have established credit accounts, too many credit card accounts may have a negative effect on your score. In addition, many models consider the type of credit accounts you have. For example, under some scoring models, loans from finance companies may negatively affect your credit score.

 

Scoring models may be based on more than just information in your credit report. For example, the model may consider information from your credit application as well: your job or occupation, length of employment, or whether you own a home.

 

To improve your credit score under most models, concentrate on paying your bills on time, paying down outstanding balances, and not taking on new debt. It’s likely to take some time to improve your score significantly.

Below is a list of documents that are required when you apply for a mortgage. However, every situation is unique and you may be required to provide additional documentation. So, if you are asked for more information, be cooperative and provide the information requested as soon as possible. It will help speed up the application process.

 

Your Property

• Copy of signed sales contract including all riders
• Verification of the deposit you placed on the home
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of all realtors, builders, insurance agents and attorneys involved
• Copy of Listing Sheet and legal description if available (if the property is a condominium please provide condominium declaration, by-laws and most recent budget)

 

Your Income

• Copies of your pay-stubs for the most recent 30-day period and year-to-date
• Copies of your W-2 forms for the past two years
• Names and addresses of all employers for the last two years
• Letter explaining any gaps in employment in the past 2 years
• Work visa or green card (copy front & back)

 

If self-employed or receive commission or bonus, interest/dividends, or rental income:

• Provide full tax returns for the last two years PLUS year-to-date Profit and Loss statement (please provide complete tax return including attached schedules and statements. If you have filed an extension, please supply a copy of the extension.)
• K-1’s for all partnerships and S-Corporations for the last two years (please double-check your return. Most K-1’s are not attached to the 1040.)
• Completed and signed Federal Partnership (1065) and/or Corporate Income Tax Returns (1120) including all schedules, statements and addenda for the last two years. (Required only if your ownership position is 25% or greater.)

 

If you will use Alimony or Child Support to qualify:

• Provide divorce decree/court order stating amount, as well as, proof of receipt of funds for last year

 

If you receive Social Security income, Disability or VA benefits:

• Provide award letter from agency or organization

 

Source of Funds and Down Payment

• Sale of your existing home – provide a copy of the signed sales contract on your current residence and statement or listing agreement if unsold (at closing, you must also provide a settlement/Closing Statement)
• Savings, checking or money market funds – provide copies of bank statements for the last 3 months
• Stocks and bonds – provide copies of your statement from your broker or copies of certificates
• Gifts – If part of your cash to close, provide Gift Affidavit and proof of receipt of funds
• Based on information appearing on your application and/or your credit report, you may be required to submit additional documentation

 

Debt or Obligations

• Prepare a list of all names, addresses, account numbers, balances, and monthly payments for all current debts with copies of the last three monthly statements
• Include all names, addresses, account numbers, balances, and monthly payments for mortgage holders and/or landlords for the last two years
• If you are paying alimony or child support, include marital settlement/court order stating the terms of the obligation
• Check to cover Application Fee(s)

When deciding on the type of rate you want, it’s all a matter of time. You’ll want to think about a fixed-rate mortgage if you plan to live in your home for more than a few years. Fixed rates provide you with stable payments and protection against increasing mortgage interest rates. An adjustable-rate mortgage would be more suitable for you if you foresee living in your home for only a few years. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, you open yourself up to the possibility of having your monthly payments increase or decrease each time your interest rate changes.

A point is a percentage of the loan amount, or 1-point = 1% of the loan, so one point on a $100,000 loan is $1,000. Points are costs that need to be paid to a lender to get mortgage financing under specified terms. Discount points are fees used to lower the interest rate on a mortgage loan by paying some of this interest up-front. Lenders may refer to costs in terms of basic points in hundredths of a percent, 100 basis points = 1 point, or 1% of the loan amount.

No. We invite you to use our website for information, to compare interest rates and terms for various loans, for prequalification at no charge; and if you need additional assistance, please call us.

Yes, and you are not alone. Everyone finds themselves in tough financial situations at one point or another. Don’t allow previous problems to discourage you from trying for a fresh start.

Absolutely. If your credit score and finances are already in order prior to your house hunt, the process goes much smoother. The prequalification process is simple:

1. Gather your personal financial information such as bank statements, W-2 forms and paycheck stubs, and meet with your Prime One Home Loans loan officer.
2. Your Prime One Home Loans loan officer will pull your credit report and evaluate your financial documents. With this information, you and the loan officer are able to discuss the best home financing options that will help you achieve your financial and homeownership goals.
3. Once you are prequalified, Prime One Home Loans will give you a prequalification letter to inform your real estate professional and the seller of the property that you’re a preferred and serious potential buyer. This will give more weight to any offer you extend on a property as well as allow you to relax and enjoy the process of looking for your new home.

Paying origination or discount points allows you to lock in a lower interest rate.

 

Typically, origination points are applied and disclosed at the time of locking in an interest rate. On the other hand, discount points can be added at the time of lock or later in the process if you choose to pay to reduce your interest rate.

 

Origination fees are the fees required to originate the loan. They can include processing fees, underwriting fees, administrative fees, and several others. Your loan officer can give you a complete breakdown of these fees as they vary from state to state.

On a conventional mortgage, when your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price of the home mortgage lenders usually require you get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) to protect them in case you default on your mortgage. Sometimes you may need to pay up to 1-year’s worth of PMI premiums at closing which can cost several hundred dollars. The best way to avoid this extra expense is to make a 20% down payment, or ask about other loan program options.

A prequalification letter comes from the lender. The letter states that the lender agrees to provide a mortgage to you, the homebuyer, under certain conditions. Prequalification letters help you set realistic goals while you’re house hunting. Additionally, they can provide you with the same negotiating ability as a cash buyer and enable you to move quickly once you find the perfect home.

Your Prime One Home Loans loan officer will advise you of the rates available for your loan product. When you are ready, you can lock in your interest rate. You can lock in your rate for up to 180 days (additional restrictions and fees may apply for lock terms in excess of 90 days). This guarantees your rate for the entire lock period.

A mortgage broker serves his or her client by shopping around for various lenders who will approve the homebuyer’s loan. While this sounds convenient, many times the buyers end up paying higher costs for their mortgage because of the broker’s fees. A direct lender, on the other hand is just that – a direct connection between the homebuyer and one company, from start to finish. As a direct lender, Prime One Home Loans delivers a fast and efficient process to our buyers from the initial application, to approval of a competitive loan and to the final closing.

Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether to give you credit. Information about you and your credit experiences, such as your bill-paying history, the number and type of accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt, and the age of your accounts, is collected from your credit application and your credit report. Using a statistical program, creditors compare this information to the credit performance of consumers with similar profiles. A credit scoring system awards points for each factor that helps predict who is most likely to repay a debt. A total number of points — a credit score — helps predict how creditworthy you are, that is, how likely it is that you will repay a loan and make the payments when due.

 

The most widely use credit scores are FICO scores, which were developed by Fair Isaac Company, Inc. Your score will fall between 350 (high risk) and 850 (low risk).

 

Because your credit report is an important part of many credit scoring systems, it is very important to make sure it’s accurate before you submit a credit application. To get copies of your report, contact the three major credit reporting agencies:

 

Equifax: (800) 685-1111
Experian (formerly TRW): (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Trans Union: (800) 916-8800
These agencies may charge you up to $9.00 for your credit report.

 

You are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit report may not contain your credit score and can be requested through the following website: https://www.annualcreditreport.com

Mortgage rates can change from the day you apply for a loan to the day you close the transaction. If interest rates rise sharply during the application process it can increase the borrower’s mortgage payment unexpectedly. Therefore, a lender can allow the borrower to “lock-in” the loan’s interest rate guaranteeing that rate for a specified time period, often 30-60 days, sometimes for a fee.

The lender requires a home appraisal on most transactions. If the appraiser recommends repairs or if repairs are mentioned in the contract, the lender may require that those repairs be completed before closing. The appraiser then will perform a final inspection to ensure that the repairs were completed.