Mortgage Info
Heavy in the stimulus package is assistance for green retrofits. Assuredly, this is a sure way to increase the value of property. These types of retrofits are especially timely given the financial climate AND a sincere effort to halt climate change. We can all do our part with simple changes to our abode.
Need just a bit of help? Need some additional mortgage information? Some gracious handholding along the way?? Just drop me an inquiry and I'm happy to help.
Getting a mortgage is a process. It doesn't have to be hard, it just has to be coordinated between yourself and your lender. Make sure youusethe services ofa lender who is referred to you either by trusted friends/family OR by your Realtor®. You will be divulging lots of personal information, including all your financials to your mortgage professional. That professional will then look at what your gross income is, and what your debts are and from there will be able to determine how much of a mortgageyou qualify for. They will guide you accordingly, and from there, youcan start embarking on a search for a home.
Most importantly, you always want to have this step of the process completed before you start looking at homes. You want to be well informed in advance and the more information the better!
Is there still money out there?
Of course there is! A common misconception right now is that there is no money to lend with all the crazy media blitz of late. You need decent credit and a little bit of cash to put down. But then again, that's just responsible lending practices, right?
There's money. So... if there's interest in buying, your timing could not be better. Check it out. Inventory is still high and rates have been dipping, of late. All the ripe circumstances!!
Budgeting, though not sexy or fun, will be critical and very enlightening. Here's one simple way to go about it.
Keep track of how you spend money for a month. Write down every single time you spend money. Even if it's just a soda or a cup of coffee. What you will find will likely surprise you. And further, it will answer your questions of what you need to do to get where you want to be and what you can truly afford.
My husband and I did this exercise recently and it was great. Do it regularly, once a year or so. Our lives, interests, etc. change. So, keep on top of things and do this to keep your financial lives in good order. We all get out of synch once it a while and so need this type of exercise to regroup and reorganize priorities.