You should check your own credit before searching for a home in the San Fernando Valley. The reason is that you will be aware of any negative items that you may not have known about. A mortgage lender will run your credit in order to "qualify you" for a mortgage so it is recommended that you check your credit preliminarily to eliminate any future problems. Being eligible for the best interest rates and discounts on homeowner's insurance are benefits to those who have excellent credit. It is free and easy to obtain a copy of your credit report.
You may request a free credit report from Experian, Trans Union or Equifax once a year. The three credit reporting agencies are:
1) Experian www.experian.com (888)397-3742 P.O. Box 949, Allen TX 75013-0949
2) Trans Union www.transunion.com (800)888-4213 P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064-0390
3) Equifax www.equifax.com (800)685-1111 P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
You may also call (877)322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request a copy of your free credit report.
The first step in beginning the home buying process is to get prequalified or preapproved. When you submit an offer on a property with a preapproval versus a prequalification you will be a stronger candidate in the seller's eyes. Having a preapproval will be beneficial to you especially if there are other offers on the table from other prospective buyers.
A prequalification means that you have filled out an application and a mortgage lender has checked your credit. A preapproval is going a step further and providing your income documentation (bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs etc) to the lender to verify your income and assets. A benefit to being preapproved in advance is that it enables you to close escrow sooner.
There are two ways a mortgage lender determines how much you can afford. First, the most amount of debt you can have cannot exceed 30% of your gross income including your mortgage. Secondly, your mortgage payment cannot exceed more 28% of your monthly gross income. The ratios above are standard requirements for most lenders in order to get a conventional loan.
However, there are other types of loans that are easier in which to qualify and may offer flexible down payment options, rates and terms. Some of them include FHA or VA loans. You should contact a reputable mortgage lender to discuss the different financing options available to you. You can ask your Buyer's Agent, friends, family or associates for whom they have had good luck with in the past.
It is important to have your interest rate locked in as soon as possible after finding a home and getting preapproved. A rate lock is good for a specific amount of time and has an expiration date. You must finalize the loan and close escrow before it expires otherwise the interest rate can go up and cost you more money each month in the end.
Welcome To My Home Part 2
Often, homeowners feel pressured or rushed into making a purchase by salespeople, so it might be in your and their best interest to let the salesperson know that you want some time alone while you look around. Then, when you're ready to ask questions or talk about prices, you can approach them on your own terms.
Most salespeople are very knowledgeable and helpful, and will be able to answer your questions honestly. They can steer you in the right direction if you get stuck, but any final decision you make needs to be yours and yours alone. Of course, if they're willing to offer you a great combination deal on some pieces you like, it certainly wouldn't hurt to consider it!
When thinking about colors and patterns on furniture, think about how long you plan to keep things like sofas and matching chairs. Patterned furniture can sometimes become tiresome or look outdated a few years down the line, while solid colors tend to be more timeless and versatile. With solid colors, you can spruce up the decoration by new adding pillows or throw blankets every so often, while patterns allow for less altering in mood and ambiance of the room. However, if you're looking to tie an entire room together with a specific pattern theme, a patterned sofa and chair set may be just the thing you're looking for.
With the proliferation of furniture stores available to choose from today, you might also think about heading in the direction of bargain stores. If this is the case, consider how much use each piece of furniture will get, and try not to sacrifice quality for those pieces that will have a lot of traffic. You don't want to end up replacing things like a kitchen table and chairs every few years, as that can become quite costly. Instead, choose solid, sturdy pieces for high-use areas of the home – it will save you money and hassle in the long run.
Both David Hitt & Adrian Adams are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
David Hitt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Family Concerns and Real Estate. If you are planning to buy or sell a home in any of the San Fernando Valley real estate communities such as Encino, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks or Van Nuys, contact David today. He has experience working with buyers and sellers. David Hitt Coldwell Bank. David Hitt's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
Adrian Adams has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment, Gift Ideas and Personal Desktop. Are you looking for furniture for your home? Check out direct from Indonesia for great function and beauty.. Adrian Adams's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.
Add Value To A House If you do it yourself you can save money rather than spending it on a loft conversion specialist, but that part is completely up to you