Buying a Home When You're Self-Employed

Buying a home is one of your most significant financial investments. It can become even more challenging when you're self-employed. While it's rewarding to be your boss and be in charge of your finances, many mortgage loans require proof of income to guarantee you'll repay them. 

Traditional lenders may refuse your request because they don't consider self-employment evidence sufficient. However, keep hope; you can still purchase a home. This article will provide tips and advice for buying a house when self-employed.

Gather Your Financial Information

The first step in buying a home when self-employed is to gather all your financial information. Remember that lenders scrutinize your income and financial background to ascertain your ability to repay a mortgage. 

Therefore, you must present financial statements reflecting a steady income source. Some of the documentation you must gather includes tax returns, bank statements, business licenses, and proof of income. Ensure that you have accurate and up-to-date records to make the process smoother.

Consider Low-Documentation Loans

When you're self-employed, you might not have a traditional salary that earns you a steady paycheck, which would make applying for a standard mortgage challenging. Not to worry, low-documentation loans exist; also called "no-docs loans," these loans allow you to apply for a mortgage without submitting any proof of income or minimal documentation. 

Instead, lenders will examine your credit history, property, and bank statements to determine your creditworthiness.

Boost Your Credit Score

Self-employment does not negatively affect your credit scores. However, some lenders may perceive it differently, making improving your credit score increasingly important. 

To do this, get a copy of your credit report and scrutinize it for errors before disputing them. Pay down your credit card debt, avoid opening new credit lines, and pay bills on time to maintain a good credit score.

Get a Bank Statement Mortgage

One solution for self-employed prospective homeowners is to get a bank statement mortgage instead of a traditional one. Instead of relying on W-2 documentation for income evidence, it uses your 12-month or 24-month bank statement to show a steady income and financial stability. 

Companies like NewFi Lending specialize in brokering these kinds of mortgages, so look for some of these alternative lending strategies if you don’t have proper W-2 forms for a normal mortgage.

Work with a Mortgage Broker

Mortgage brokers can connect you with lenders that work best for your self-employment status. Brokers can sort through the lenders and help you find the best interest rate and mortgage program to meet your needs. 

Mortgage brokers can also access special programs, including self-employed mortgages tailored to people like you.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home when self-employed can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Gather your financial information, consider low-documentation loans, boost your credit score, get pre-approved mortgage approval, and work with a mortgage broker. 

Remember, the key to purchasing a home when self-employed is showing a steady income stream and paying capacity.

What to Consider Financially Before Buying Your First Home

When you're ready to buy a home, you are probably excited about finding the right location and the best home in your price range. But be sure to consider other financial aspects of your purchase before making an offer on the home of your dreams.

Additional Purchase Costs

In planning for your home purchase, be sure to factor in the realtor fees and closing costs. These will be explained when you are ready to make an offer on a property, but you will want to have extra cash available. 

Inspection fees and maintenance costs for issues like termites or leaks should also be kept in mind. Sometimes these expenses are negotiable with the seller, but it is a good idea to set aside some additional funds for unexpected surprises.

Moving Expenses

Hiring professional movers can be expensive, although it is often unavoidable and usually best for your furnishings. You don't want to take chances with a pricy piano or a newer entertainment center and speakers. 

Expert movers will make sure that everything is wrapped or packed carefully to avoid nicks or breakage. You may also want to pay extra for moving insurance as well as additional costs for any special items as determined by the moving company. 

These might include costly china or a movable hot tub. Keep some funds handy for takeout meals and packing materials on or near the day of the move.

Taxes, Insurance, and Utilities

The taxes and insurance are probably factored into your anticipated closing costs, but check to be sure. You may need to increase your current insurance coverage on the property if you are bringing more expensive furnishings or upgrading the property in certain ways. 

Such as installing new fixtures or improving the landscape. Utility deposits may be required when the heating, electric, and water bills are switched to your name.

Funding Sources

Start thinking about your financial options before you decide which home to buy. Professional lenders like Precision Capital - Your Private Money Source will discuss your home purchase expenses ahead of time to help you prepare. 

You may be able to set up a savings account or an investment plan that will ensure the needed funds are available when you buy a house. You might prefer to take a loan to cover the upfront costs of your housing purchase.

Prepare financially in advance to have money available when you find a house to buy. Getting ready now will save time and stress later.

5 Reasons You Might Not Qualify for a Home Loan

Now that you have found your dream home, you thought qualifying for a home loan would be the easy part. However, this may not be the case. 

Although lenders are generally more eager now than in past years to approve mortgage loans, there are some instances where you may be denied the loan needed to purchase a home. 

Should you be preparing to apply for a home loan, here are some of the most common reasons why you may be turned down.

Poor Credit History

If you have had past credit problems, your poor credit history may be the reason your loan application was denied. Since a lender wants to make sure you are not a high-risk applicant, any problems with foreclosures, bankruptcies, or credit cards could be reason enough to deny your claim. Generally, if your FICO score is under 620, your loan will be denied.

Income/Asset Documentation

Even if you think you have enough money to make a monthly mortgage payment, your lender may not think so, especially if you are unable to provide sufficient documentation regarding your income to debt ratio. 

Should questions arise about this or other related areas, private equity representation may be what's needed to let everyone make a well-informed lending decision.

Very Small Down Payment

If you put down a minimal down payment on your new home, the lender will view you as a high-risk applicant, and thus may deny your loan. If possible, try to put down as much as 25% of the home's price as a down payment, since this will almost guarantee approval.

Issues with the Property

If your new home is appraised at an amount that is far less than the amount of the mortgage loan, your lender may deny your application. While you can get a second appraisal, your best option is to shop around for other lenders.

Limited Employment History

Should you possess a limited employment history or have one where you have changed jobs frequently, this can be used against you by your lender to deny the home loan. 

In most cases, a lender will want you to have at least two years of consistent employment with your current employer prior to approving your loan.

If you have had your home loan application denied, don't give up. By seeking out other lenders and making improvements where you can, it is quite possible you may still get the loan needed to purchase your dream home.

A Close Look at The 95% Mortgages

Just look at it, everyone is chasing it. Only a yes from the lender and you get one of the most precious luxuries of the mortgage market. Yes, the hint is for the mortgage with 95% LTV. It is considered as a great success if you get the approval

for such a significant amount, as it is not easy to convince the lender when it comes to applying for a property loan. 

It covers your property value conveniently, and you do not need to worry about the additional arrangements to bridge the financial gap between the 5% deposit amount and the loan amount you qualify for.

But don't you think before you desperately yearn for the mortgage, it is better to know about all the aspects? Have a look at the different related facets.

First, get friendly with the basic concept

Before you go further, have a quick look at the elemental nature of these mortgages. They facilitate funds equal to 95% of the purchase price or the property value, whichever is high.

Now the ESSENTIAL facts –

The introduction part is done, and now you can move on to the varied features of the 95% mortgages.

The interest rate choices

The mortgages are available with both the types of rate options - fixed rate as well as variable rate. In the latter one, most of the options are available with tracker rate and variable discount rate.

What, if your family or relatives want to help you?

There are several provisions for this too. Several options are there to let it happen.

• They can pledge their savings as security
• Can share the responsibility of the monthly mortgage repayments
• Can offer to give some charge or payment on their property to make it act like a security

You calculate a 95% mortgage like this

With a simple calculation, you can calculate your LTV. Just a small game of numbers and price and you can do it. 

The rule is that you need to divide the loan amount (you want to borrow) by the property price or purchase price, whichever is high. Then multiply it with 100.

Here is an example –

You want to buy a property, and the price is £3,00,000

After deducting the deposit amount you need to borrow 2,85,000

Your LTV will be 2,85 000/3,00,000x100 , which tells that your LTV is 95%.

Higher monthly installments

You may take it as a significant advantage that you have received approval for 95% mortgage, and yes, it is good. 

However, there is always the other side of the coin. Yes, it is easier to cover the property value with this type of mortgage, but your monthly installment will be bigger than a mortgage product with a lower LTV.

Before you make or take a decision, do all the necessary calculations to adjust the upcoming mortgage installments in your monthly budget. Losing the trust of the lender in repayments can affect your financial future through a sharp fall in the credit score status.

Early repayment charges apply on loan with variable rates

If you have taken the loan on the variable rate and want to switch to the fixed rate option or wish to remortgage, it may not be possible to do it without paying an early repayment charge. 

The amount may not be minimal. This fact should always be in your mind when you apply for a 95% LTV mortgage.

Most of the borrowers are ignorant about it, and when they plan the switch, they get stunned. It is the reason that it is better to hire a broker to assist you. 

Broking companies have all the necessary information with the most profound detail. Don't worry. There are fee-free brokers available. They will not add to your burden of installments due to higher LTV, search for 'mortgage broker near me' and you will get the options like Shinemortgages.co.uk.

Factors that can get you the approval on 95% LTV mortgage

By working on several conditions, you can get approval on the mortgage.

• You need an excellent credit score 
• Your income status should be strong 
• The debt-to-Income ratio should not be lower than 70:30 
• Do not take any new loan 
• Stay in the same job.

(According to the industry experts, you should have completed at least two years in the same company when you apply for a mortgage)

• If possible try to create additional sources of income as they will help prove a strong repayment capacity
• Your guarantor should be financially stable and there should be no high-interest debt in your financial records
• Do not max out your credit cards 
• Do not make multiple mortgage applications

If you thoroughly follow the above points, it is possible to get a 95% mortgage SMOOTHLY.

So...

The above basics about the 95% LTV mortgages prepare you to apply for the loans with less or no chances of rejection. Besides, the knowledge of the mortgage product is always beneficial for taking big decisions on property investment in the future. 

Author’s note – XYZ has strong knowledge about the mortgage industry and shares here some necessary facts. 95% LTV mortgages are quite popular in the mortgage industry, but how many of you know about them precisely and clearly? Here are the few essential points that should be in your knowledge.

7 Things You Need to Consider When Purchasing a Property

Investing in the property is the right thing to do if you have enough money in hand. It will help you save so much money, in the years to come and it will give you the best returns after some time. Everyone in the world who works hard has a desire to own a property.

But, also those who want to purchase a property do not know where to start their search. Some do not have an understanding with regards to the purchasing processes. As a result, they try to learn things from scratch, and it is a complex process.

You need to plan on checking on the 'Cotierproperties' website. They have some of the best properties in California. Your search for a better home ends when you visit their site. But, what are some things that should be of concern to you when you are looking for a home?

Here are some of the best tips or insights that will help you in this endeavor:

Budget in Hand: Yes, this is the first thing that should be of concern to you when you are looking for a property. You should not go ahead with your search unless you have a clear understanding of this aspect. Check your bank account to see how much you did save in the bank to date.

Also, check your credit rating to see how much loan you can get from the bank. If your credit rating is not up to the mark, you need to plan on working on it if you want to take a loan for the purchase of the home.



Location of the House: Now, this is one of the most crucial aspects when you are planning to buy a home. Take the time to check the neighborhoods that are safe and secure. It should be closer to your workplace and your kid's school or college.

You should also check the area to understand if there are any malls near to your house and if yes, how big is it and what kind of stores and shops are available around the neighborhood.

You should also plan to check with real estate consultants to understand the kind of developments that are going to happen in and around the area. If you do this task, you will quickly identify the best home in the neighborhood.

Square Footage of the House: You need to consider this thing if you are planning to purchase a home. Consider the present and the future needs to understand what kind of house is sufficient for your family.

Talk with your family to understand the sort of house that will be comfortable for them. If you spend time with your family on this one, you will make a better decision.

Bedrooms and Restrooms: Yes, this is one more thing that should be of concern to you. Speak with your family to understand how many restrooms and bedrooms that you require at your house. Do not invest money into a property if you do not have a clear understanding of this aspect. Take time to check on this thing before you start searching for a property.

The Layout of the Kitchen: Food is one of the most critical things that we need to live. A kitchen that is elegant and stylish will help in boosting your mood. People who are cooking the food will do a better job when the kitchen is simply superb.

Now, this is the main reason why you should check the layout of the kitchen before investing your money into a property. Take time to compare different houses to find the best one for you. The size of the kitchen also depends on the number of people staying in the home.

Age of the House: Yes, this should be one more thing that should be of concern to you when you are looking for a property. Check on the website 'Cotierproperties,' to understand this aspect. If the property is old, you might want to inspect the home to check if everything is okay.

If you have any questions, you can have specialists come and do the inspection for you. This way, you are not going to invest in something that is not of any value. It will also help you to make an informed decision.

The Market Price: Check the various homes that are available for sale in the locality. Compare the prices so that you can find the best house that fits well with your budget. If you know the market rates, you can also negotiate the rates with the seller. Most people are ready to reduce if a potential buyer has sufficient knowledge about an area or the neighborhood.

These are some of the aspects that you need to check when purchasing a home for your family.

4 Steps for Benefiting from the 2% Economical Growth of 2017-2018

Since the worldwide financial crisis of 2008, most developed economies have struggled with growth. Between 2017 and 2018, however, growth in the United States is expected to return to two percent per year, representing a substantially higher rate than recent averages. 

Here are four things you should be doing to financially benefit from faster growth in the US economy.

Purchase a House

If you are still renting your home or apartment, you’re gradually pouring money into an asset owned by someone else. A much better move, regardless of the economic climate, is to purchase a home of your own. In this time of faster growth, however, the benefits are magnified. 



Since rents and property values both tend to increase during growth periods, buying a house will help you save money while building equity. If you are in a position to purchase luxury property, the benefits are greater still, owing to higher values.

Explore New Job Opportunities

When economies grow, so do businesses, which means that companies need to bring on extra staff. At the moment, unemployment is low and the labor market is tight, leading to a large buildup of available jobs. 

This is the perfect climate in which to look into new job opportunities, especially if you have high-demand skills.

Get Serious About Investing

If you haven’t built a serious investment portfolio already, now is the time to get around to it. As the economy grows, share prices typically rise, meaning gains for people who have already bought and higher prices for those who haven’t. 

Putting your money into solid investments now will allow you to capitalize on higher growth rates. If you’re new to investing, consider putting your money into an index fund that will track the movements of a major stock index, such as the S&P 500.

Pay Your Debts

Because it brings the possibility of higher earnings and more job security, a period of economic growth is a perfect time to pay down old debts. 

Ridding yourself of debt is one of the key steps to ensuring your own financial stability. Take advantage of the boom to eliminate debt payments and put yourself on better financial footing going forward.

Wherever your financial life is now, you should be positioning yourself to benefit from the two percent growth projected for 2017 and 2018. If you play your cards right, you’ll be able to improve your finances and let your wealth grow with the American economy.

How You Can Prepare Yourself Financially to Purchase a Home in Retirement

For most people, buying a house is the single largest financial transaction of their lives. Purchasing a new home at the right price and with favorable terms and interest rate can put you and your family on the road to a good financial future. Patience and preparation are the keys that will unlock the door of your dream home.

Monitor Your Credit

Mortgage lenders like to see credit scores of at least 700. You'll pay higher interest with a lower score, and might be denied a loan altogether. Check your credit regularly and make sure there are no errors that reduce your score. Also, it can hurt your credit when you apply for mortgage financing from multiple lenders. Only apply when you're ready to move forward with the home purchase.

Build Savings

Plan on saving about 10 percent of the purchase price for a down payment. It's wise to have more savings to cover closing costs, and an emergency reserve equal to several months’ expenses. The bottom line is that the more cash you have saved up, the more likely it is lenders will offer good rates.

Educate Yourself

Understanding the mortgage process is a vital part of preparing to buy a home. You must decide between a fixed rate and an adjustable rate mortgage. Fixed rate financing is the most expensive. However, an ARM can end up costing more if interest rates rise. Make sure you know how closing costs and other fees will affect the financing of your home.

Ask the Experts and Compare

When you shop for mortgage interest rates, consult experts. Start with the loan officer at your bank and your real estate agent. Comparison shop by contacting loan officers at other banks, credit unions and other mortgage lenders.

The FHA and VA

The FHA and VA loans are a good place to start. With an FHA loan, you may need no more than a 3.5 percent down and credit requirements are less stringent than for regular mortgages. You will have to purchase mortgage insurance. Veterans and military service members qualify for VA loans. 

In some cases, there is not a down payment. Check out Low VA Rates for more information. The financial advantages of either program are considerable, so you may want to check them first.

There's a lot of preparation before you will be financially prepared to purchase a home. The work and time are worth it because it's likely to save you many thousands of dollars.

5 Ways Buying a New Home Changes Your Personal Finances

The decision to purchase a home definitely affects your financial bottom line. The down payment alone may decimate what used to feel like a healthy savings. 

Stop and consider both sides of the process to find advantages that make it all worthwhile. Read through five ways that home purchases affect your personal finances. 

1. Tax Implications

On the whole, first-time homebuyers receive a variety of helpful-deductible options to give a bank account respite. Some of these deductions include:

• Mortgage interest: although it may take more time to complete your tax return, you’ll find that it pays off. Whatever interest comes with your mortgage opens you up to certain helpful deductions in your overall tax payment.
• Tax-deductible points: those who pay extra on their loan or “points” receive another chance for a tax deduction. Every point equals 1 percent of your home’s principal price. However many points you earn provide a tax-deductible percentage. Consult a tax expert to find out if you’re eligible. 
• Private mortgage insurance: Those with a down payment that’s less than 20 percent of the purchase price usually require mortgage insurance. Although you might dislike this added cost, most private mortgage premiums qualify for additional tax deductions.

Regardless of which deductions you qualify for, make sure to consult a tax expert and the relevant official tax forms to ensure proper payment.

2. Reduced Spending Money

Those who buy a house often experience what’s referred to as feeling “house poor.” This term doesn’t refer to actual poverty, but rather a lack of extra cash due to the presence of a monthly mortgage payment.

Although your savings might feel a little reduced now, keep in mind that your home ownership adds greatly to your net worth, and even income potential. You are also gaining equity on your property as you make payments on your mortgage. 

Look at buying a new home this way, it is a large investment, but because you can put money and other things into it, you will eventually get back more than what you originally invested. Basically, you are paying yourself in a way because you own a home. Owning a home should also help you with your tax returns at the end of every year.

3. Lasting Payments

Unlike renters, homeowners make good use of every cent they pay towards their mortgage. While a renter-landlord relationship requires monthly payments that go into the landlord’s pocket, your monthly mortgage payments go towards the eventual ownership of your home.

True, mortgage payments might exceed your previous monthly rent payment, but the end result makes it all worth it. Homeowners who stay on top of their payments may end up owning their home and having access to equity, while renters never see any part of their payments again.

4. Various Expenses

On the other hand, renters may enjoy the convenience of one all-inclusive payment. Particularly in situations where landlords include utilities in the cost of rent, renters often have consolidated costs.

Homeowners pay for their own utilities, including water, gas, electricity, Internet, and garbage pick-up. And don’t forget about property taxes.

5. Home Loans

Although mentioned before, the presence of a mortgage creates a paradox for your finances. While your monthly loan payment might seem high, it’s the consistent payment that boosts your credit score and potential for future big purchases.

Remember that despite all the new expenses you might have, your financial persona now boasts of home ownership.

Informational Credit

The information in this article is credited to Sente Mortgage who specializes in home loans in Austin, Texas.

First Time Buyer? 7 Things You Need To Know Before You Purchase A Home

Are you a first-time home buyer ready to get into the market? Between advice from friends or family, loans, closing costs and more, it can be overwhelming. Here are seven important things you need to know that can help alleviate your anxiety: 

Examine Your Credit

A poor credit score, or no established credit, can alter your home-ownership plans. Get a free credit report and read through it for errors. If you find any mistakes, contact the credit reporting bureau to ensure they are corrected. This can greatly affect the loan you may get. 

Collect Documentation

Gather pay stubs, W-2 forms, bank statements, filed income tax returns for the past two to three years, and any other documentation you may feel is necessary. Have them available to show to the lender. You may need to provide this paperwork to a few different people, so it's important to have them readily available. 

Pre-approval

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important when you are house hunting. Your current bank or local credit union, like Saginaw Medical Federal Credit Union, are good places to start your search. You can also search online to find lenders offering the best rates in your area. Applying to multiple lenders helps increase your chances of getting a loan approved at the best rate possible without having a negative impact on your credit score. 

Create Your budget

One of the most important steps is to establish your budget. It’s necessary to determine how much you plan to pay for your house. It is recommended that buyers spend no more than one third of their income on housing. Your monthly payment can also vary depending on how much you plan to use for a down payment. 

Find Out Closing Costs

Closing costs usually contain origination charges, settlement and title fees, taxes and items like homeowners' association fees and homeowners insurance. Sometimes, they are often higher than expected, so it's important to budget accordingly. 

Choose A Real Estate Agent

It is ideal to find and choose a real estate agent to assist you with the process. Utilize local ads or the internet to research and assemble a list of local agents and start finding out more about their experience. Look for realtors with a lot of experience, especially in the area and price range where you intend to buy. These realtors will be familiar with the current housing market and the history of the market in your preferred area, and they can help you distinguish between good and bad options.

Be Patient

First-time home buying is time-consuming and stressful. Many first-time home buyers become disheartened due to rising property prices and increasing interest rates. There's also chances that there may not be enough properties available that suit the buyers needs.

Taking important necessary steps before the home-buying process can save you time and money. It's important to do your research and talk to different professionals before you decide to make an offer on a home. These tips can help you to be prepared to buy your first home.

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