Category Archives: First Time Home Buyers

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5 Ways To Never Get Out Of Your Parents Basement And Have Your Own Home.

I see many adult children who want to move out of their parents home and parents who want their kids out.  However they don’t have a plan.  They don’t set expectations and timelines and they make some or all of the 5 mistakes below.  Here are 5 ways to never get our of your parents basement and have a home of your own.

1.  Have no budget.

Without a written budget it’s easy to spend more than you make.  A written budget will tell every dollar where to go.  If you’re living in your parents basement evaluate your budget and look for ways to cut expenses and save money.  Resources like Dave Ramsey and the Every Dollar App can help make this easier.

2.  Insist On Buying A House.

There is nothing wrong with renting!  It’s ok to rent.  Renting can be cheaper than buying a home.  You won’t have to worry about maintenance on the home and it’s a great way to get out of the house and move toward home ownership.

3.  Get Loads Of Debt

If you have debt this affects your ability to rent or buy a home.  The student loan problem is one example of this.  Work on paying off your debt while you’re in your parents home.  If you’re in college or plan on going to college pay for it in cash!  Choose a school that’s closer to home and less expensive.  Adding debt will not help you get out of your parents home.

4.  Don’t Make Enough Money.

Renting or buying a home will be more expensive than living in your parents basement.  If you’re working an entry level job or minimum wage job it will be hard to earn enough to move out.  Consider other fields that will make you more money.  Get a second job.  Start a small business or side hustle.

5.  Make Sure Your First Home Is Your Dream Home.

Your first home does not have to be your dream home.  Your first home is a stepping stone toward your dream home.  It’s better to buy or rent a small condo or house that you can afford rather than buying the most expensive house that you qualify for you.   You’re first home can build equity to help you get to your dream home down the road.

Let me know your thoughts on this post and please share.  Who do you know that is living in their parents basement or has adult children living in their house?  Contact us now to let us help them.  Matt

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Up To $20,000 Available Grant Money For Atlantic City NJ Home Buyers

Home buyers in Atlantic City may be eligible for up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs.

Grant money is now available in Atlantic City for first time home buyers.  Grants are available from $10,000-$20,000.  It’s a great time to buy a home in Atlantic County.  And if you’re looking outside Atlantic City the Atlantic County Grant is also available now with up to $10,000 available.  So here are some more details on the Atlantic City Grant program.


ELIGIBLE PARTICPANTS:

  • Persons who have resided in the City of AC for the last 12 months.
  • Persons who have not owned a home for the past 3 years.
  • Persons with an acceptable credit history and ability to obtain an approved mortgage.
  • Persons with incomes below 80% of the median family income. Please contact me for HUD income limits.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES

  • Single family properties, condominiums in the city of Atlantic City. Exclude manufactured homes.
  • Sale price cannot exceed $250,000.
  • Property must meet all requirements for an approved mortgage.
  • Property acquired must meet all state and local housing quality standards and code requirements. Any findings are to be corrected, reinspected and certified prior to settlement.

PROGRAM FINANCING

  • The program will provide a maximum amount of $10,000 – $20,000 to eligible applicants to assist with down payment and closing costs, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the HOME Investment Partnership program.

If you think you would qualify for this program or know someone who could benefit from this.  Please contact us immediately.  Funds are available on a first come first serve basis and typically go quickly.

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Feb 2019 Atlantic County Announces First Time Home Buyer Grant Money Now Available – $10,000

It's back! $10,000 available for Atlantic County, NJ First Time Home Buyers

Good news!  As of today the Atlantic County, NJ grant program is now funded with grants available of up to $10,000 for first time home buyers!  All funds are forgiven after 5 years.  This program is administered through the Atlantic County Improvement Authority.  This program does not work for everyone so I’ve outlined the key requirements below.  If you don’t think you’ll qualify for this program the state grant program is also giving $10,000 grants and it’s easier to qualify.  Click here for details on the state grant.  You will need to be pre-qualified by an a approved mortgage company.  My preferred lenders are on stand by to help qualify potential first time home buyers asap and get them qualified to receive the grant money.  Complete the form below and we’ll reach out to see if you qualify.

Atlantic County, NJ First Time Home Buyer Grant Money Is Now Available

Eligible Applicants:

     HOUSEHOLDS

  1. Who have resided in Atlantic County for the last 12 months or are employed in Atlantic County.
  2. Who have not owned a home for the last  three years.
  3. With acceptable credit history and the ability to obtain an approved mortgage.
  4. With incomes below 80% of Median income:

These income levels are (2019):

# of Household Members 80% of Median Income

1 Person

$42,850

2 Persons

$49,000

3 Persons

$55,100

4 Persons

$61,200

5 Persons

$66,100

6 Persons

$71,000

7 Persons

$75,900

8 Persons

$80,800

If you or someone you know may be eligible to qualify for this grant please call me for more details at 609-338-3773.  Time is limited and funds are usually gone in a few months so please call me now.  Matt

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Can You Qualify for a First-Time Buyer Mortgage?

If you’ve never bought a home before there are a wide range of first-time home buyer mortgage options available to help you get the keys to your first home. Depending on the funding program you choose as a first-time home buyer, different qualifications will need to be met.

Can You Qualify for a First-Time Buyer Mortgage?

When you’re ready to buy your first home it will be worth the effort to do some research to find the best first-time home buyer program for your specific situation. There are federally supported programs through the FHA, the VA and Fannie Mae for example, as well as state programs such as the New Jersey First-Time Home Buyer Program.

But what if you’ve owned a home in the past but have since sold it and weren’t in a position to buy a new home right away? Can you qualify for a first-time mortgage? Whatever the reason, if you owned a home in the past but currently don’t, you could qualify for a first-time mortgage. This applies even if you had previously bought a home through such a program. The key is how much time has passed since you last had such a mortgage.

As outlined by the FHA, so long as an applicant for a first-time mortgage has not owned their primary residence for at least 3 years prior to seeking a loan, they are considered a first-time home buyer and can seek out these types of loans and programs.

Can You Qualify for a First-Time Buyer Mortgage?There are additional parameters to meet in order to qualify for a first-time mortgage however, which will depend on which loan program you choose. Within the various programs available there will be income maximums, credit score minimums, job history minimums, and possibly down payment minimums.

Good Credit Score and Down Payment

Two of the toughest challenges to meet for many first-time home buyers are having a good credit score and acquiring the minimum down payment, but there’s no need to despair if this happens to be your situation. While it’s best to do what you can to improve your credit score, there are loan options available for those with less than ideal credit; they just come with a higher interest rate to help balance the risk ratio for the lender. The FHA is the prime source for low-credit buyers seeking a mortgage.

If you don’t have the money saved for a down payment there are different grants and programs which if you qualify, can provide part or all of your down payment monies. Here in New Jersey we have an excellent opportunity through The Road Home, an NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program. Qualifying first-time home buyers who get an NJHFMA First Mortgage Loan can get a $10,000 grant to put down towards a home.

When it’s time to buy a home, work with a Realtor® whose expertise can help you find solutions whatever your real estate needs may be. Get the conversation started with Matt Haviland, give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail.  The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty are ready to share their expertise and care for all your real estate needs.

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Do I need PMI on a First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage?

Recently we shared a post explaining what Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is. We covered different reasons a home buyer may need to pay for this insurance and why. If you’re planning to buy your first home soon, there’s a good chance you’ll be required to pay for it as part of your monthly mortgage payment. But even as a first-time home buyer, there are scenarios where you won’t need to take on this extra bill to own a home.

Do I need PMI on a First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage?

To recap, PMI is insurance which protects a lender’s risk in loaning money to someone for purposes of buying a home. The more money a lender funds, the greater the risk they bear in loosing out on their investment, should a homeowner find they are no longer able to pay their monthly mortgage payment.

As many first-time home buyers tend to seek out a larger loan-to-down payment ratio, they tend to fit into the higher-risk-end of funding parameters. When a loan ratio is greater than 80% of the purchase price for a property, lenders will want PMI included. Saving $20,000 to buy a $100,000 house is a challenge for most anyone. Lending institutions understand this, and by hedging their bets with an insurance policy to protect their risk, there are loan options available for qualifying buyers with less than 20% to put down.

If you happen to have the funds needed to meet or exceed the 20% marker, even as a first-time home buyer you won’t need to cover the cost of PMI. If you start saving at a young age and seek out various ways to invest and grow your money, it’s possible to reach the magical and elusive 20% goal for a down payment. But there are other ways you can get to this figure.

As a first-time home buyer there are a variety of programs available, including grants to help fund your down payment. If you’re enrolled in a 401k or retirement plan through work, there’s a strong chance you can borrow some funds to put towards the purchase of a home, and with fewer to no tax penalties, depending on your plan. Some adventurous home buyers have even been able to get a great down payment through crowdsourcing platforms like Go Fund Me.

If you’re not able to get the minimum 20% saved but are otherwise ready to buy a home, don’t let the idea of PMI hold you back. While the insurance may not cover you from loss, it will help you achieve your dream of buying your first home if you need a viable solution to get you there. The cost of PMI is usually a small percentage of your mortgage payment, and once your home’s value appreciates to where you own less than 80% of your loan, you can look into refinancing without Private Mortgage Insurance.

Whether you need PMI or not, when it’s time to buy a home, work with a Realtor® who has a passion in helping their clients find solutions towards achieving their home dreams. Get the conversation started with Matt Haviland, give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail.  The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty are here to help you find the right home from start to finish.

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What is PMI & Do I Need it to Buy a Home?

What is PMI & Do I Need it to Buy a Home

The world of real estate is full of acronyms. Those who work in the business get used to these ‘call letters’, and don’t often give them much thought. For someone who’s new to the home buying process, the various acronyms can be confusing if not simply overwhelming. Understanding key acronyms and basic definitions is an excellent way to gain the knowledge you need to help you buy with confidence. When it comes to mortgage funding, PMI is an acronym you may hear mentioned by lenders. You may have already asked yourself, “What is PMI, and do I need it to buy a home?”

What is PMI & Do I Need it to Buy a Home?

PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance, and is often required for a home buyer to purchase alongside their mortgage if their down payment is below 20%. Whether your down payment is less than 20% because you just don’t have the cash, or you have a reserve but want to save it for home improvements after you move in, PMI allows for a lower down payment towards a house.

Typically, when you purchase an insurance policy, you do so to protect your family and property against loss due to damages. PMI works a bit differently. Mortgage lenders are taking on a risk by funding the purchase of a home. If circumstances arise where you can’t pay your mortgage, the lender faces losing a lot of money should the loan go into default.

To help lessen the risk on a property where more than 80% of the sale price is funded by a loan, PMI is required. While you the home buyer pay for this insurance, either as a separate policy payment or incorporated into your monthly mortgage bill, you won’t receive a benefit if a claim is filed. Your lender will. Essentially, PMI helps balance out the risk to loss ratio of a mortgage for the funding institution.

Even though the beneficiary of any claims would be the lender, there are benefits for buyers to get PMI as well. Namely, if you aren’t able to cover the standard 20% down payment, getting a PMI policy will help you get into a home of your own sooner than saving over the long term.

Many home owners also need to only carry PMI with their mortgage loan for a certain period of time. The key is to watch the market and keep appraised of your home’s value compared to your total mortgage loan amount. With appreciation, your home will rise in value. Once your loan to value ratio has shifted so you owe less than 80% of the property value, you can seek refinancing of your loan to do away with the PMI policy, and possibly get a better interest rate, effectively lowering your mortgage payment as well.

There are different types of PMI policies, each one catering to various needs and situations of the buyer and the lender. Learn more about this common element of mortgage funding with this article by Investopedia. Whether you need PMI or not, when it’s time to buy a home, work with a Realtor® who has a passion in helping their clients find solutions towards achieving their home dreams. Get the conversation started with Matt Haviland. Give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an email.  The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty are here to help you find the right home from start to finish.

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Down Payments for a Home – How Much do I Really Need?

One of the first questions asked when someone is planning to buy a home is, “How much do you have to put down to buy a house?” You may think the answer is a simple one, but this is not necessarily the case. The amount of a down payment needed depends on several factors and your own individual situation.

The first thing to consider is what type of mortgage loan you can qualify for. The type of loan will determine what the minimum requirement is for a down payment on a house. If you qualify for a first-time buyer loan program, chances are you will need a lower down payment, good news for those struggling to save for this major investment.

For qualified buyers through the FHA you can buy with a down payment as low as 3.5%, or possibly with a zero-down payment, but there’s a price. If you qualify for this option, you’ll be required to pay for mortgage insurance for a while. Mortgage insurance isn’t for you but for your lender to be able to recoup the losses should you not make your payments. A down payment helps lessen the overall principal amount of a loan. The higher your down payment, the lower the principal funding. The more principal funding a lender provides, the more money they’re putting at risk in a loan.

While you may not need a down payment through an FHA loan, your monthly mortgage payment will include the cost of mortgage insurance from which you won’t directly benefit. This can be a worthy trade-off if saving for a down payment is a challenge. And the good news is, you won’t have to pay for mortgage insurance for the duration of your loan. When there’s a suitable amount of equity built into your property, you can request a review to discontinue the insurance.

Military veterans and active personnel can qualify for a VA loan, which will waive the down payment completely if you don’t have the funds to put down. These loans are provided through various lenders but backed by the US Dept. of Veteran Affairs. As such, if you don’t have a down payment you won’t have to include mortgage insurance. If you or your spouse has been a part of the military, this is an option worth looking into.

So how much of a down payment do you have to have for a house if you don’t qualify for a special program loan? The standard answer is 20% of the sale price. For a $100,000 home, this would mean you need $20,000 for a down payment. This is a sizable sum which can be a challenge for even the savviest saver. If you don’t have the full 20% however, not all is lost. Some lenders are willing to go as low as 5%-10% for a down payment, provided you pay for mortgage insurance to help lessen the risk to the lender.

To help avoid this extra expense though, you may be able to achieve the 20% down payment through a grant. While most grants are geared towards lower incomes and first-time home buyers, there are options for those in-the-middle-income buyers as well.

Learn more about down payments with this Bank Rate article. If it’s time to buy a home, get the conversation started with Matt Haviland; give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail. Matt and his team are passionate about helping their clients achieve their home dreams; The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty are here to help you find the right home from start to finish.

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How Important is Your Credit Score for Buying an Atlantic County Home?

How Important is Your Credit Score for Buying an Atlantic County Home?

You’re ready to buy a home. You have stable employment, and make good money, so you should be able to easily get a loan, right? Not so fast. Lenders all use credit scores to help determine your ability to pay your debt before they take a risk on lending you money for a new home. Credit scores can vary from 300-850. That’s quite a range, so what should your credit score be to buy a house?

How Important is Your Credit Score for Buying an Atlantic County Home?

A credit score is calculated using a software program created by the Fair Isaac Corporation, or FICO. Understanding how your FICO score is used will help you understand the importance of a good score. Mortgage lenders use your score when determining your reliability towards making timely payments. This helps establish not only your approval or denial, but also what interest rate will be offered if approved.

According to Nerdwallet, excellent credit scores are considered to be 720 and up, and fair or “average credit” scores fall between 630-689. Credit scores falling below the average or fair range often result in the denial of credit to the borrower or credit offers at a much higher interest rate. Various things can impact your score, but most important is when you pay your bills, if they’re on time or not. Also, if you have a large number of late payment fees applied to your accounts or any of them in collections, your score will be lower.How Important is Your Credit Score for Buying an Atlantic County Home?

Credit scores are reported by three agencies, Equifax, Experian and Transunion. All three agency reports are pulled by lenders to help determine your overall credit score. These scores usually vary slightly from one another. Lenders will use the median score to determine a borrower’s overall FICO score. For example, if your reports come back with a 680, 705, and 720, the lender will use 705 as the number to determine your eligibility as a borrower.

FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans require a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for their 3.5% down payment option which is popular with first-time home buyers. You might be approved for an FHA loan with a score lower than 580 but the minimum down payment required will be 10% in those circumstances.

How Important is Your Credit Score for Buying an Atlantic County Home?Raising your score quickly can help you get approved for a loan or to get approved for a better interest rate. Even slight differences can greatly affect the rate you’re offered. According to MyFICO.com payment history contributes 35% to your credit score. In order to avoid paying late payments, set-up auto payments or reminders for yourself so everything is paid on time. Reducing the amount of debt owed is important as well, though not as simple to change. Pull your credit report to determine where the highest interest is being charged and focus on paying off those accounts first for the greatest impact. When reviewing your credit report make sure it is accurate. Dispute any discrepancies for debt you don’t owe or that you’ve already paid. If you make these changes you should see your score start improving each month.

Matt Haviland with The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty offers a complimentary credit score check and credit evaluation by filling out this form on the Mortgage Help page or their website. Complete the form for your evaluation today. If you would like more information, please give Matt a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail. When you’re ready to buy your first home, Matt and his team are here to help from start to finish.

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First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Options Around Atlantic County

First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Options Around Atlantic County

First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Options Around Atlantic CountyYou’ve saved and planned and you’re ready to take the plunge into home ownership. There are many great mortgage choices for first-time homebuyers to consider. This list will break down some of the most popular options and provide links to find out more about the ones you may qualify for.

First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Options Around Atlantic County

FHA Loans are 15 or 30-year loans which are backed by the Federal Housing Administration under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FHA Loans usually allow approval for borrowers with lower credit scores. These loans can also help through low down payment mortgages and lower closing costs. You’ll have to pay a slightly higher rate for mortgage insurance however, which can be paid upfront or annually.

USDA Loans are based on income for qualification and backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These loans provide help with the purchase of houses located in certain rural areas and include zero down payment mortgage options for borrowers who qualify.

VA Loans are available to active military members and veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are partially backed by the same. The goal with this program is to assist veterans in purchasing houses. These loans can include no down payment mortgage options and don’t require private mortgage insurance. They do require a one-time funding fee which is a small percentage of the total loan amount.

Good Neighbor Next Door assistance program offers loans for houses which have been foreclosed on at half price to qualified borrowers. This is an incredible program and as such has stringent guidelines. The Good Neighbor Next Door program is available only to borrowers who work in public service sectors as law enforcement professionals, teachers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or firefighters. The firefighters and EMTs must also work within the same jurisdiction as the house they are purchasing. These homes are offered in “revitalization areas” as defined by the FHA. These areas generally have a high number of foreclosed properties available.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government programs which help qualify first-time homebuyers who have low or moderate income with lenders.  The Fannie Mae HomePath Ready Buyer Program in particular offers qualified first-time homebuyers up to 3% toward closing costs for HomePath Properties which were foreclosures under their loan programs.

New Jersey State and Atlantic County Residents can also benefit from some wonderful down payment assistance options outlined in our previous post about First Time Homebuyers Government Programs. Check out the blog post to find out more about first time government programs that are available. These are great offerings specifically for area residents.

The options are too many to list but there’s sure to be something for most any first-time homebuyer to benefit from. For more choices and information see this informative Bankrate article.

Matt Haviland with The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty always offers free consultation for first-time homebuyers. Contact Matt today at 609-338-3773 or via e-mail to find out how he can help you.

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Take Advantage of First Time Homebuyer Programs Around Atlantic City

First Time Homebuyer Programs

First Time Homebuyer ProgramsSometimes growing up is hard to do and sometimes there’s the thrill of it all, the firsts you’ll experience. There are few things in life as thrilling as becoming a first-time homeowner. Buying your first property, getting the keys and walking through the threshold of a house which will become the first home of your dreams is an exhilarating experience. But where do you start? First-time homebuyers often have many questions about how to search for the features they desire in a house, how to get the best financing assistance and how to find a Realtor® they can trust. There are some great first time home buyers programs right now. Let’s look at how to qualify.

Take Advantage of First Time Homebuyer Programs Around Atlantic City

You’ll want to begin by saving for your down payment but how much do you have to put down to buy a house? Typically, conventional loans require 20% down, but as a first-time homebuyer you may be able to get help covering your down payment. It’s possible to lower or eliminate the amount you need to have up front for a down payment through federal, state and local government programs.

How do you qualify for first-time homebuyer government programs?

Your lender and buyer’s agent will be trusted sources in directing you to the best options which may be available to you. Some of the most common federal government mortgage options such as FHA and USDA loans are well-known and may offer solutions for low or no-down payments for those who qualify.

Most state and local governments offer some assistance as well. We dug a little deeper to find out.

 first-time homebuyer government programs are available in the area.

The Atlantic County Improvement Authority offers a down payment assistance program to individuals who have resided in Atlantic County for at least 12 months and who have not owned a home in two years or more. At a state level, The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency offers several different programs for first-time homebuyers including down payment assistance and mortgage programs explained in a step-by-step guide to help you decide which options are best for you.

First Time Homebuyer ProgramsAll of this information can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out some great tips for first-time homebuyers from Nerd Wallet. They offer an easy-to-follow but detailed list with some general information to help you get started.

Now that you’re ready to set sail, the importance of having a trusted buyer’s agent is key in making the home-buying process go smoothly. You’ll want to find someone who’s ready to work for you, who’s also experienced in serving first time homebuyers and who knows the area real estate market. Matt Haviland with The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty offer free consultations for first-time homebuyer programs. Contact Matt today at 609-338-3773 or via e-mail to get started on the path to the door of your first home.