George L. Duarte

Mortgage Loans Fremont California Horizon Financial Associates

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Legal Documents You Need When Buying a House

June 20, 2023 by George Duarte

Legal Documents You Need When Buying a HouseBuying a house can be an exciting but complex process that involves many legal requirements.

You will need to provide several documents to your lender and the seller. The specific documents required may vary depending on the lender and the type of loan you are applying for, but here are some of the most common documents you may need:

Proof of Income: This may include pay stubs, W-2 forms, and tax returns from the past two years.

Bank Statements: You will need to provide bank statements for the past two to three months to show your savings and checking account balances.

Credit Report: Your lender will obtain your credit report to assess your creditworthiness and determine your interest rate.

Employment Verification: Your lender may contact your employer to verify your employment and income.

Loan Application: This is the first step in the mortgage process, and it will require you to provide detailed information about your income, assets, and debts.

Pre-approval Letter: Once you have submitted your loan application, you may receive a pre-approval letter from your lender, which will state the amount of money you are qualified to borrow.

Loan Estimate: This document provides an estimate of the closing costs associated with your mortgage, as well as the interest rate, monthly payment, and other details about the loan.

Closing Disclosure: This document is provided to you three days before closing and includes a detailed breakdown of all the costs associated with your mortgage, including the interest rate, monthly payment, and closing costs.

Identification: You will need to provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Purchase Agreement: This is a legally binding contract between you and the seller that outlines the terms of the sale, including the purchase price, closing date, and contingencies.

Mortgage Documents: If you are financing your home purchase, you will need to sign several mortgage documents, including a promissory note and a mortgage.

Deed: The deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer.

Title Report: A title report is a document that shows the history of ownership of the property and any liens or other encumbrances that may affect the title.

Homeowner’s Insurance Policy: You will need to purchase a homeowner’s insurance policy to protect your investment in the property.

It is important to compile and review these documents carefully before submitting them to your lender. It is also wise to seek the advice of a real estate attorney or other qualified professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Filed Under: Home Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Documents, Mortgage, Mortgage Loans

3 Things That Will Absolutely Kill Your Chances for a Mortgage Approval

March 24, 2023 by George Duarte

3 Things That Will Absolutely Kill Your Chances for a Mortgage ApprovalIf you’re about to seek approval for a mortgage, you’ll want to ensure you have a solid credit score and clean financial records to boost your likelihood of being approved. There are certain characteristics that lenders want to see in a mortgage applicant before they agree to give a loan, and you want to prove that you’re a responsible borrower. But certain behaviors can easily tank your application and crush your home ownership dreams.

Before you seek approval, make sure your finances are in order. Avoid these three mortgage-killing habits while your lender evaluates your loan and you’ll quickly find yourself holding the keys to your new home.

Using Up Most Of Your Available Credit

It can be tempting to start buying furniture when your mortgage is about to be approved, but you’re better off waiting on the shopping trip until after you get the green light from your lender. Using a significant amount of your available credit – or applying for new credit – will impact your debt-to-income ratio and change your credit score. You might even end up getting yourself a higher interest rate or reducing your credit score to below the qualifying range – so don’t go credit-crazy until after you’re approved.

Being Late On Your Monthly Bills

Payment history makes up one third of your credit score, so you’ll want to make sure you pay all of your bills on time and in full if you’re looking for a mortgage. A single 30-day late payment on a bill can easily knock 50 to 100 points off your credit score. Even worse, some lenders require a full year of on-time payments before they’ll even consider you for a mortgage.

Co-Signing Someone Else’s Loan

Co-signing on a loan is generally risky under any circumstances, but if you’re trying to get approved for a mortgage, taking on liability for someone else’s debt will change your debt-to-income ratio. Being on the hook for a debt you don’t own makes you look like a risk to lenders – if the primary borrower on the loan you co-signed stops making payments, you’ll need to pay the loan, and that could divert your cash away from your mortgage.

Getting approved for a mortgage is a critical part of the home buying process, but too many would-be homeowners torpedo their own chances of getting a mortgage by making poor decisions. Contact a mortgage professional near you to learn how you can give yourself the best possible chance of getting approved for a mortgage.

Filed Under: Home Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Mortgage Tips, Mortgage Preapprovals and Credit, Mortgages

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George L. Duarte

MBA, CMC, CMHS
Call 510.377.9059
Fremont, CA

California DRE Corp Lic no. 01032295
DRE Personal Brokers Lic. No. 00943635
NMLS Corporate Lic. No. 302358
Personal Lic. No. 302219

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