Eight Ways to Get Your Finances in Order to Purchase a Home.

Eight Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.


2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.
3. Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably see some great ways to save.

4. Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

5. Save for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

6. Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever’s left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

7. Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

8. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.


Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®


Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

Foreclosure is NOT the Only Option

The Truth about Foreclosures

Fact:  You may not be able to finance another home for 5-7 years after a foreclosure.

Fact:  A foreclosure can decrease your credit score by 250-300 points, instantly.

Fact:  A foreclosure will remain as a public record on your credit report for 10 years or more.

Fact:  It can be difficult to rent after a foreclosure due to your lowered credit score.

Fact:  In many foreclosures, you will still owe the bank the difference between the amount of your loan balance and the amount the bank is able to sell your home for.  This is called a deficiency judgment.  You may receive an IRS-1099 for the deficiency.

Fact:  A foreclosure may keep you from getting a security clearance or may challenge a security clearance you already have which could cost you your job.

Fact:  Banks do NOT want to foreclose on you and prefer working with a REALTOR to pursue a deed en lieu of foreclosure, often called a "short sale."

Foreclosure is NOT the only option....I can help!

Call Vanessa today if you are facing foreclosure!
817-714-8634