Minnesota Homes Today Local & National News

A Checklist Of Documents You Need To Refinance Your Mortgage

by

A Checklist Of Documents You Need To Refinance Your MortgageIf you want to save money on your mortgage, you might think about refinancing. Before you can complete the refinancing process, there are several documents you need to have. Make sure you have all of these documents organized before you go through the refinancing process.

Basic Personal Information

You need to have documents that prove your basic personal information. This includes your name, current address, and phone number. There are plenty of documents you can use to prove this information, and your current lender probably already has this on file if you are using the same lender to go through the refinancing process. 

Income and Debt Documents

You also need to have documents that verify all of your current income or debt. If you are a wage-earner, you should have at least one recent pay stub. You should also have tax returns and W2 forms from the past two years.

Make sure you have recent asset or bank statements as well. This could include retirement accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, and investment accounts. You will probably need the most recent quarterly statement for monthly statements going back at least two months. 

Any Additional Letters and Documents

There are several other letters or documents you might need as well. If you receive alimony payments or child support, you will need to have divorce decrees verifying this information.

If there are any questions about your credit history or gaps in your employment, you will need to have letters explaining these issues. That way, the lender will be reassured that you can repay the home loan. If you receive pension payments or social security payments, you should have an award letter specifying the size of the payments and how long they are going to be paid.

You also need to have a deed showing that you are the rightful owner of the home and a document showing that you have an active homeowners insurance policy with appropriate coverage.

Get Your Documents Organized for the Refinancing Process

Once you have all of these documents, you should be ready for the refinancing process. You should work with a professional who can walk you through this process from start to finish. 

 

Til’ Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Poor Credit Score

by

Til' Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Terrible Credit ScoreA poor credit history is a reality for many people, but it can be particularly daunting when it comes to investing in a house. Fortunately, if you or yours have experienced bad credit doesn’t mean that you should be penalized in the future. If your spouse has struggled with bad credit in the past but you’re both preparing to move forward and invest in a home, here are some tips for getting it together financially.

Face The Music

Many people who have bad credit are too scared to take a look at their credit report and broach it honestly, but it’s important to come to terms with the problem so that it can be fixed. Instead of ignoring it, get a copy of the credit report and review it for any errors so that you can update these if needed and be aware of the issues impacting your credit score. While there may not be any inaccuracies on the report, knowing what you’re dealing with will give you a point to start from.

Make Your Payments

At some point, most people have missed a credit card or bill payment, but the first step involved in improving your finances and your credit is ensuring your spouse is paying their bills on time. While this won’t require paying the complete balance each month, it’s important to pay the minimum balance before the due date, and stick with it! It may seem like a small step, but over time it will improve credit and say a lot to mortgage lenders!

Save Up For Down Payment

20% is the amount that’s often suggested when it comes to a down payment, but if your spouse has terrible credit, it may be worth your while to save up more. It goes without saying that having good credit for both yourself and your spouse is important in getting approved for a mortgage, but by having extra for your down payment and paying your bills on time, you may be successful at convincing lenders you’re a solid bet.

It can be a lot more difficult to get your mortgage approved if your spouse has bad credit, but there are steps you can take to improve your financial outlook and give lenders a better impression. If you’re planning on investing in a home in the near future, contact your trusted mortgage professionals for more information.

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This.

by Leave a Comment

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This. | MyKCM

If you’re thinking of selling your house, it may be because you’ve heard prices are rising, listings are going fast, and sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you expect when you move? To help answer both of those questions, let’s turn to the data.

Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest buyer and seller traffic from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like:

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This. | MyKCM

Notice how much darker the blues are on the left. This shows buyer traffic is strong today. In contrast, the much lighter blues on the right indicate weak or very weak seller traffic. In a nutshell, the demand for homes is significantly greater than what’s available to purchase.

What That Means for You

You have an incredible advantage when you sell your house under these conditions. Since buyer demand is so high at a time when seller traffic is so low, there’s a good chance buyers will be competing for your house.

According to NAR, in February, the average home sold got 4.8 offers. When buyers have to compete with one another like this, they’ll do everything they can to make their offer stand out. This could play to your favor and mean you’ll see things like waived contingencies, offers over asking price, earnest money deposits, and more. Selling when demand is high and supply is low sets you up for a big win.

If you’re also looking to buy a house, you may be tempted to focus more on just the seller traffic map and wonder if it means you’ll have trouble finding your next home. But remember this: perspective is key. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says:

“The limited number of homes for sale is a lesson in perspective. This same stat that frustrates would-be homebuyers also means that today’s home sellers enjoy more limited competition than last year’s home sellers.”

If you look at the big picture, the opportunity you have as a seller today is unprecedented. Last year was a hot sellers’ market. This year, inventory is even lower, and that means an even bigger opportunity for you. Even though finding your next home in a market with low inventory can be challenging, is that concern worth passing on some of the best conditions sellers have ever seen?

As added peace of mind, remember real estate professionals have been juggling this imbalance of supply and demand for nearly two years, and they know how to help both buyers and sellers find success when they move. A skilled agent can help you capitalize on the great opportunity you have as a seller today and guide you through the buying process until you find the perfect place to call your next home.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to move, you have an incredible opportunity in front of you today. Trust the experts. Let’s connect so you have expertise on your side that can help you win when you sell and when you buy.

Categories