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Refinancing A Mortgage: How Does This Work?

October 21, 2022 by Scott Hill

Refinancing A Mortgage: How Does This Work?If your financial situation has changed, you might be interested in refinancing your mortgage. In general, refinancing means that you will replace your current mortgage with a new one. The process of refinancing is similar to the process of applying for a mortgage, but you need to think about your goals during the refinancing process. That way, you can put yourself in the best financial position to be successful.

Why RefinanceYour Mortgage?

There are several reasons why you might be interested in refinancing your mortgage. For example, you might want to tap into the equity in your home to cover another major financial expense. Or, if interest rates have gone down since you first took out your mortgage, you might want to save money by replacing your current loan with one that has a lower interest rate. You might also want to refinance your house in an effort to pay off the loan more quickly.

How Does The Refinancing Process Work?
During the refinancing process, your lender will do a deep dive into your financial history. They will take a look at your credit history and credit score. They will also analyze your payment history on your existing loan. Your lender will also take a look at your income, employment history, and total equity you have in your home. Your lender will also look at other sources of debt, such as a car loan or student loan.

Are There Any Drawbacks?
There are a few drawbacks you need to know. For example, if interest rates have gone up since you took out your mortgage, refinancing might not be the best choice. Furthermore, you may have to pay closing expenses again, which can be expensive. Finally, if you withdraw equity from your house, it can cause your monthly payment to go up; it could also lengthen the term of your loan by several years.

You should think carefully about whether refinancing your house is the best financial move. You need to consider your financial situation along with the current conditions in the real estate market. If you reach out to an expert, you can figure out what refinancing your home might mean for your mortgage.

 

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Mortgage, Mortgage Payment, Refinance

What To Know About Flood Insurance

October 20, 2022 by Scott Hill

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. 

 

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Flood, Flood Insurance, Insurance

The Top Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted

October 19, 2022 by Scott Hill

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. 

 

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Mortgage Tips, New Home, Purchase Offer

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Scott Hill

Scott Hill


President

DIRECT: (408) 898-0100
scott@hillmortgageinc.com

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