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Purchasing the Right Home: How to Plan for It

Purchasing a home in South Florida can be a big decision, and you must be well-prepared to ensure the process goes smoothly. You don’t want to buy a home only to realize that it’s not what you want or that you don’t have the finances to be able to afford it

When you want to ensure that you’re purchasing the right home and have figured out all aspects, some planning should go into it. Here is how you can plan better before you start looking at homes to buy:

Make a Plan and Budget

When you’re starting the process of looking for a home, you need to have some aspects figured out. You need to know what you’re looking for in your home. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms and so on should be decided before you start looking. It would be helpful if you determined a budget to help narrow down the homes you’re looking at.

You can also figure out what area of South Florida you want to be living in and whether you’re looking for any extra amenities. It will help you save time later when you’re actually going through properties.

Know Mortgage Rates and Financing Companies

You might need a little extra help when it comes to acquiring your dream home, and a home mortgage can achieve just that. There are many options available when you’re looking to get a mortgage to help you out with paying for your home.

However, you should look for a South Florida mortgage service that helps you qualify for the lowest mortgage rates and give you financial advice. You want to be able to trust your mortgage expert, and finding a trustworthy service in South Florida can require some research.

Consider Escrow

Many homes sold on the real estate market are sold upon specific conditions. The sellers might be selling their home contingent on several other factors, including that they can purchase another home first. You might also be in a similar situation, where you can’t go through with purchasing another home until the one you’re currently in is sold off.

You need to consider escrow as being a big factor in buying or selling a home. You might have to wait a while before moving into the property you’ve purchased, so ensure that you know the timeline when you’re buying the home.

Know the Resale Value

When purchasing a home, you have to consider the possibility that you might not end up living in it forever. When it comes to selling off a property you own, several factors can determine its resale value.

You might be looking to flip the house and remodel it to make its value much higher. As a property owner, resale value is something you should be considering before you purchase any home in South Florida.

Looking for Home Financing? We’re Here to Help

When you need a little bit of help financially to help you get the home of your dreams, Pacific Lending Group is here to help. Many types of mortgages are available, and we will help you get the lowest rates so you can worry less about paying back your home. Call 954-227-4727 to get started on your home mortgage process.

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Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock In a Rate

Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock In a Rate. Buying a home can be a stressful process, especially when it’s your first time. When you’re looking for a mortgage to help pay for your home, there are many things to consider. Mortgage rates are constantly shifting, and you need to keep an eye on them to ensure you get the best rate.

When you want to ensure that you’re getting the best rate, you have to lock in a rate before it’s too late. Here is what you should know about mortgage rate locks:

What’s A Mortgage Rate Lock?

A mortgage rate lock is when a lender offers to guarantee the interest rate on your home mortgage for a fixed period. While the lender may ask for a fee for doing so, it can vary depending on the lender you are working with.

The lock period generally starts from the time you begin the process for the loan all the way to the time you end up closing on the loan. Once your interest rate is fixed, it won’t be changed unless you end up changing crucial details on your application form.

When Is The Best Time to Lock In A Rate?

If you’ve already begun the process of looking around for good lenders in South Florida, you might already be at the stage to lock in a lender. When you’ve compared a few mortgage interest rates, contact the lender who offers you the best conditions and interest rates.

Once approved for a home loan, you can lock in a rate with your desired lender. While you can wait and see if the mortgage rate goes down, this can be both a waste of time and money. The rates fluctuate, and trying to predict them can take more effort than it’s worth without conclusive results.

Does It Cost To Get A Rate Lock?

Depending on your lender, you might be charged for a rate lock, or it can be free. Ensure that you ask beforehand so you are not blind-sighted by any unexpected fees. If you end up paying for a rate lock, it can be dependent on the amount of your loan and the prevailing interest rate.
You should be aware that rate locks can last up to 30 days in most cases; if you plan to take longer than that to complete your mortgage process, you should talk to your lender.

Consulting With An Expert

When you’re thinking about locking in a rate, you need to take guidance from a lender on the best way to do so. There are some risks associated with locking in a rate that you might not be aware of, and a reliable lender can help you through the process while making sure you’re aware.

Looking to Lock In Your mortgage rate lock? We’re Here to Help

If you’re shopping around for the best mortgage rates in South Florida, Pacific Lending Group can help. Our years of experience and excellence ensure that you never make a wrong decision regarding your home mortgage. Our mortgage professionals can guide you through the process, so you never have to second-guess yourself. Call us today at 954-227-4727 to schedule an appointment and get started with your home mortgage process.

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Private Mortgage Insurance: How Does It Work

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a policy that protects the lender in the case of default by the borrower. The lender is assured of being compensated for their loss if you fail to make your monthly mortgage repayments. This is not a policy that protects you.

Why Do You Need PMI?

The role PMI plays in financing is simple: it ensures cash flow. The lender needs to know they will be paid back even if there are some extraordinary circumstances.

Any loan where the borrower has less than a 20% stake in the property must have PMI. If you put down 3.5%, you can obtain a 95% LTV mortgage without premiums, but as soon as that drops below 80%, you will need to get PMI for your security.

The benefits of having PMI are that it allows you to finance more than just 80% of the value of your home.

Remember, you do not need PMI if you pay 20%. The lender will give you a lower interest rate because they’re protected in case something happens.

How Does It Work?

When you receive your first billing statement, the lender will give you an annual percentage rate (APR) that includes PMI. Many people think this is their interest rate for the year; it’s not. It’s simply a way of allowing you to see how much PMI you will be paying each month.

Your mortgage lender will decide your true APY (annual percentage yield) and will depend on your credit score and down payment amount.

When Do You Need PMI?

For conventional loans, the lender must ensure that you have PMI once your LTV (loan to value) drops below 80%, but again, there are exceptions. If you opt for an FHA loan, which means you’re borrowing less than 95% of the home’s worth, then you may not need any premium payments at all.

If the borrower is on the hook for PMI, they’ll see how much of each payment goes to principal, interest, and PMI on each billing statement.

For example, if you made $1,000 in payments over one month, your lender would charge you $200 toward your principal, $300 toward interest, and $100 toward PMI. This gives you a clear understanding of where your money is going each month.

What Happens If You Do Not Have PMI?

If you are not paying for private mortgage insurance, then the riskiest part of the loan is what’s called “uninsurable.” Since the lender will assume no one could pay them back, they will charge you a higher interest rate.

Basically, by not paying for PMI, the lender makes the riskiest part of your loan uninsurable and charges you more than if you had insurance in place. You may then be asked to pay an extra month’s payment each year to compensate the lender for this risk.

Contact Pacific Lending Group for Any Mortgage Insurance-Related Advice

If you have any questions about private mortgage policy, please contact a representative from Pacific Lending Group. We will be glad to answer any of your mortgage questions and help you with your home purchase or refinancing needs. Call 954-227-4727