If you are thinking of buying a home in South Florida, whether as an investment, residence, vacation or permanent, it is important that you consider the possibilities you have of obtaining a mortgage loan. There are many financial institutions that offer loans, from local banks, online financial institutions, private lenders and large financial institutions in the United States. SOME INFLUENCING FACTORS TO DETERMINE INITIAL, TERM AND INTEREST RATES: • Your nationality • Legal status in the United States • If you have a credit history in the country • Your income and bank accounts Get a mortgage In South Florida, about 52% of buyers tend to pay in cash making the process much easier and faster, but with mortgage rates so low, (ranging between 4.5% - 6%) compared to those offered by their countries of origin, many choose to finance their purchase. Requirements to obtain a mortgage 1. Depending on the nationality of the buyer, a visa is required, all foreign buyers will have to present a copy of their passport with a valid tourist visa (B-1 or B-2). 2. At least 20% - 30% of the value of the home as a down payment in “Houses” 3. At least 30% - 50% of the home value as a down payment on “Condominiums and Townhouses” 4. Proof of income: ◦ Bank statements ◦ Letters of reference from your banking or credit institution ◦ Two forms of identification Other common requirements • Social Security number • Tax return • Form W2 • Account statement for the last 6 months • Proof of employment • Last 2 years of residence • Personal balance Loan costs The costs of obtaining a loan vary from institution to institution and from using a mortgage broker. We can use the following guidelines. • Direct with a local bank is usually cheaper, however, it will be limited to the specific products of that institution. • The use of a mortgage broker is very common and despite generally having a higher cost than going directly to a financial institution, you will have a much wider range of options. • Interest varies, among other things, based on credit history, monthly income, debt, and bank accounts. In the case of clients who do not have established credit, they will generally have a higher interest. • The initial varies according to: ◦ The type of property being acquired, ▪ House / Single Family Home: The initial is the lowest (10% - 20%) ▪ Townhouses: initial higher than houses (20% - 30%) ▪ Condominiums: It is the highest initial (40% - 50%) ◦ Nationality ◦ Foreigners without established credit in the USA, generally a minimum of 30% down payment is required and it increases according to the type of property that is acquired. What to do before applying for a loan? 1. Get your credit report BEFORE applying for the loan so that you have time to correct errors or problems in the history 2. Be clear about how much you can upfront (including closing costs) 3. Look for the best interest rate BUT take into account the other terms of the loan. 4. Compare quotes 5. Request a “good faith estimate” What NOT to do before applying for a loan? 1. Make "major" purchases through credit 2. Do not move important money from the accounts. 3. Apply for any type of loan (car, boat, credit cards, etc.) 4. Change your main place of residence 5. Open or close bank accounts How to estimate the total monthly payment when financing a property? The most important monthly expenses to calculate the total amount to pay are: • Mortgage • Insurance (flood, casualty, hurricanes) • Insurance against third parties (optional) • Condominium / expenses (maintenance fee / home owners association) • Property tax
Find The House Of Your Dreams
Saturday, March 20, 2021
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCING
If you are thinking of buying a home in South Florida, whether as an investment, residence, vacation or permanent, it is important that you consider the possibilities you have of obtaining a mortgage loan. There are many financial institutions that offer loans, from local banks, online financial institutions, private lenders and large financial institutions in the United States. SOME INFLUENCING FACTORS TO DETERMINE INITIAL, TERM AND INTEREST RATES: • Your nationality • Legal status in the United States • If you have a credit history in the country • Your income and bank accounts Get a mortgage In South Florida, about 52% of buyers tend to pay in cash making the process much easier and faster, but with mortgage rates so low, (ranging between 4.5% - 6%) compared to those offered by their countries of origin, many choose to finance their purchase. Requirements to obtain a mortgage 1. Depending on the nationality of the buyer, a visa is required, all foreign buyers will have to present a copy of their passport with a valid tourist visa (B-1 or B-2). 2. At least 20% - 30% of the value of the home as a down payment in “Houses” 3. At least 30% - 50% of the home value as a down payment on “Condominiums and Townhouses” 4. Proof of income: ◦ Bank statements ◦ Letters of reference from your banking or credit institution ◦ Two forms of identification Other common requirements • Social Security number • Tax return • Form W2 • Account statement for the last 6 months • Proof of employment • Last 2 years of residence • Personal balance Loan costs The costs of obtaining a loan vary from institution to institution and from using a mortgage broker. We can use the following guidelines. • Direct with a local bank is usually cheaper, however, it will be limited to the specific products of that institution. • The use of a mortgage broker is very common and despite generally having a higher cost than going directly to a financial institution, you will have a much wider range of options. • Interest varies, among other things, based on credit history, monthly income, debt, and bank accounts. In the case of clients who do not have established credit, they will generally have a higher interest. • The initial varies according to: ◦ The type of property being acquired, ▪ House / Single Family Home: The initial is the lowest (10% - 20%) ▪ Townhouses: initial higher than houses (20% - 30%) ▪ Condominiums: It is the highest initial (40% - 50%) ◦ Nationality ◦ Foreigners without established credit in the USA, generally a minimum of 30% down payment is required and it increases according to the type of property that is acquired. What to do before applying for a loan? 1. Get your credit report BEFORE applying for the loan so that you have time to correct errors or problems in the history 2. Be clear about how much you can upfront (including closing costs) 3. Look for the best interest rate BUT take into account the other terms of the loan. 4. Compare quotes 5. Request a “good faith estimate” What NOT to do before applying for a loan? 1. Make "major" purchases through credit 2. Do not move important money from the accounts. 3. Apply for any type of loan (car, boat, credit cards, etc.) 4. Change your main place of residence 5. Open or close bank accounts How to estimate the total monthly payment when financing a property? The most important monthly expenses to calculate the total amount to pay are: • Mortgage • Insurance (flood, casualty, hurricanes) • Insurance against third parties (optional) • Condominium / expenses (maintenance fee / home owners association) • Property tax
Friday, March 19, 2021
HOW TO INTERVIEW AND CHOOSE THE REAL ESTATE AGENT THAT WILL SELL YOUR HOUSE?
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS?
How do the stages influence the price? Properties in plans or pre-construction go through different stages. As construction progresses, prices tend to increase as well as deposits. However, not all developments have the same structure and many have incentives or attractions during different stages of construction. 1st. This stage is known as “reserve” in which the intention to acquire a “style” of unit in a “price range” is manifested and it is reserved with only 10%. 2nd. This stage is known as a "contract" in which a specific unit is reserved with a specific price. With the signing of this contract and a deposit equivalent to 20%, the 15 days of cancellation begin to count. 3rd. stage, known as “ground breaking”, where construction begins and another deposit is requested. 4th. stage is usually when reaching the middle of the building (exterior only) 5th. stage is usually at the end of the last floor (exterior only) 6th. stage, is the closing of the transaction. Terms that you should know before buying in pre-construction 1.-Unilateral Contract The Developer is the one who writes the contract and establishes all the rules, the buyer does not have the right to make any changes. 2.-Cancellation period Within this period (15 days from the signing of the contract), the buyer has the right (according to Florida law) to cancel the contract if he does not agree with any of its clauses, without any penalty. 3.-It is not transferable The contract is made in the name of the buyer or in the name of a company where this buyer is 100% owner. The property cannot be sold or transferred to a third person before the work is finished and the property deed has been executed, unless it has the consent of the Developer (Developer) 4.-Payment method In most projects a payment standard is followed, and may be different in some developments. 10% upon signing the contract 10% between 60 -90 days after the first deposit 10% at the start of construction 20% in the middle of the construction of the building (30th floor if it has 60 floors) 50% on the day of the deed of the property (closing day) 5.-Financing without contingency If for the final payment of the project the buyer requested a loan and it is not granted at the time of closing, and does not have the cash, the developer has the right to keep the total money delivered to date. In practice, the Developer suggests different lenders to facilitate this process. 6.-Breach of contract by the Developer If there is a breach on the part of the Developer, he must notify the buyers in writing, having a period of 7 days to solve it, if it is not fulfilled, the buyers would be fully entitled to claim their deposit with interest. 7.-Delivery time It can be 2 to 3 years if the purchase contract is signed at the beginning of the project, this time may be less depending on the stage of the project at the time of purchase. The finishes with which the units are delivered also influence the delivery time. 8.-Finishes It is important to make sure of the delivery conditions as this significantly influences the final investment; however, the "standard" in South Florida is that projects are delivered, like this: "Decorator ready", which is known as "ready to decorate" and means that it is delivered without floors and without paint. equipped with household appliances equipped with kitchen cabinets Complete bathrooms with and without floors. 9.-How to estimate closing costs when buying a pre-construction? The expenses to be paid at the time of the deed of the property vary if the transaction is cash or financed: Cash between 3% and 4% of the purchase price: Developer's Fee 1.75% to 2% Contribution to the 2-month condo Documentation stamps on transfer Owner's insurance policy title Other transfer costs Financed between 6% and 7% of the purchase price: Developer's Fee 1.75% to 2% Contribution to the 2-month condo Documentation stamps on transfer Title of the owner's insurance policy Mortgage registration and issuance Lender commission Other transfer costs
Thursday, March 18, 2021
CLOSING COSTS WHEN SELLING A HOUSE
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
How to get the house of your dreams?
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
The demand for housing will fall by 26%
Generally, the housing market needs more time to reflect macroeconomic changes. In this sense, 2021 will begin to show the direction that housing will take after the pandemic and the already concluded 2020. The crisis produced by Covid-19 has caused the sector's forecasts to turn completely: after a period of continued growth , has experienced an unexpected fall.
Colliers International, a global leader in real estate services and asset management, has just published a study that analyzes the behavior of the Real Estate market over the last year. Within the sector, the experience has been and will be very different in the different locations and product types, but there are two of the modalities that stand out and become the clear winners: rental and new construction. On the contrary, used housing and second homes have had the worst of it.
"The new construction has managed to resist much better reducing to less than half the decline suffered by second-hand housing," the report explains. In the first quarter, new housing transactions (11,286) fell 9.2% compared to the same period of the previous year, compared to 16.9% for used housing. In the second quarter, the new construction market fell by 22.1% compared to the second-hand market, which did so by 50%.
The firm estimates that in 2021 the demand for home purchases could fall between 20% and 26% compared to the levels of 2019, mainly due to the reduction in used housing sales and a drastic reduction in foreign demand. Buying a new off-plan home allows the buyer to structure his purchase effort in a more appropriate way and to directly access the financing associated with the developer loan. This has been gaining ground to the used one, although the second hand one continues representing 79.5% of the total of the operations. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in September 2020, new construction accounted for 22.2% of sales, increasing 16.97% from the previous year. In the case of the month of October, the last with available data, new housing has monopolized 20.5% of the market, compared to 18.6% in the same month last year. These figures suppose a growth in this type of housing, but they are still very far from those reached during the years of the crisis, when new construction came to represent more than half of all transactions. Too high a level of new construction leads banks to assume too high financial risks and the availability of financing is the most relevant aspect for their creation, along with the availability of land. None of these factors appear to be ever going back to their pre-crisis level. In all likelihood, the price falls will be mainly centered on used housing, due to the lower solvency of the owners and the need to liquidate some of these assets in the face of unemployment and uncertainty. The real estate radiography transmits, for the moment, uncertainty. Much of the information is difficult to process, even in the midst of an international economic recession. This situation leaves little certainty about the long-term future of the housing markets. The pandemic has paralyzed a totally dynamic sector. Although this crisis has nothing to do with the cyclical correction, it could bring some structural change.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Where and how to invest in the United States Real Estate market
Investing in real estate in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania makes sense because: The median sales price of a home in Pittsburgh remains low. However, you can get properties for $ 75,000 to $ 100,000. The average rent is around $ 1200 a month. This provides an opportunity for a quick and considerable return. In some areas, a 2-bedroom home rents for $ 1,550. The area enjoys a steady growth in home values, with an average increase of 2% per year.
Investing in properties in Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama is good because: Huntsville is home to several prestigious universities, including Alabama A&M University, Oakwood University, and Alabama University. The Huntsville Space Center (S. Space & Rocket) Center is one of the most visited tourist attractions on the planet. Huntsville is known for its technology, space, and defense industries. Huntsville continues to lead growth in Alabama. It grows faster than any other city in the state. Huntsville enjoys low tax rates.
Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio are good cities to invest in real estate because: The area is among the 25 fastest growing cities in the United States. The area is 4th in the United States with new medical facilities Cincinnati recently completed an expansion of more than $ 160 million. Cincinnati was named one of the 10 hottest housing markets last year.
This population and economic growth is impressive. In recent years, many Americans have moved to Kansas City looking for companies and jobs. The result: These affordable markets are seeing a steady increase in rental demand.
The city of Detroit, Michigan is good for investing in property for these reasons: Detroit is also home to nearly 100 Fortune 500 companies Despite its reputation, several of the fastest growing industries are investing in sectors such as healthcare, defense, aerospace and logistics. The Michigan Business Development Program provides grants, loans, and other financial assistance to businesses. Michigan income taxes are among the lowest in the nation Michigan also has a lower cost of living than any other Midwestern state
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCING
If you are thinking of buying a home in South Florida, whether as an investment, residence, vacation or permanent, it is important that you...
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Try to find a home loan that you can afford given your other priorities and not one that is the amount you qualify for. Lenders will oft...
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Selling your home is probably one of the most important investments in your life, so the process of choosing a real estate agent should be...