News Byte: "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda"
So long, farewell to the Home Buyer Tax Credit... but it's still a great time to buy a home... probably the best time ever! If you have a home under contract prior to April 30, 2010 then you may still be able to take advantage of the tax credit.
But if you're in the market for a home and you didn't get a chance to capitalize on the tax credit all is not lost. With property prices already low and staying relatively flat combined with truly historic low interest rates, a home buyer can capitalize on the best of both worlds. Rarely is there a time when both housing prices and interest rates are this low at the same time.
Buying a home now can save you 1000's as opposed to buying later. Why???? Because when interest rates move up a 1/2% to 1% that can increase your housing payment by $300 - $400 per month or more depending on your loan amount, not to mention the additional cost of housing when prices begin to move up. So take advantage of the market while you can instead of later saying, "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda."
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Credit Scores – Tipping the Scales in Your Favor
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Credit . . . it does keep us guessing. Until recently, the secrets of credit score calculation have been very closely guarded. We can now estimate how your score is put together. Credit scoring systems vary for mortgages, credit cards, automobiles, insurance, medical, etc. So it’s important to know which credit score system you are applying for credit in.
For home financing and mortgages, your credit score is a numericalrepresentation of your statistical likelihood to repay credit that is extended to you. Scores range from 350-850. Your score is a “snapshot” of specific moment and can change with new actions and the passage of time.
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Below is the general breakdown for how your credit score is measured:
Payment history = 35%
Amount owed = 30%
Length of credit history = 15%
New Credit = 15%
Types of Credit in use = 10%
With the credit markets tightening up their requirements to extend
credit it’s important that you take stock of your credit
score and determine if it’s good enough to get a home mortgage.
If you’re unsure, the sooner you ascertain the score and
clean up the credit issues the better. It’s taking longer
than before to fix or clean up credit scores and it’s not
unusual to find errors on your report. A mortgage representative
can help you with getting a free credit report, analyzing your
credit worthiness, and advising you on exactly the steps you need
to take in order to correct your credit. Once the credit issues
have been resolved, then the mortgage lender can run a “re-score” credit
report in which will show the new improved credit score.
To find out your credit score and have it analyzed, fill out the
form below and submit. A mortgage lender will be in touch with
you shortly.
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