Lisa Meier, REALTOR
The right Realtor makes all the difference. It is crucial to choose the right agent to find your next home. With thousands of homes for sale in the Austin MLS, looking by yourself is overwhelming. Any agent can open the door and let you look around. That just simply isn’t enough when it comes to representing a buyer!
I will walk you through each step and present all of your options so that you are comfortable making each decision along the way. What really sets me apart from my competition is my dedication to my clients. I answer phone calls and e-mails and return messages promptly. I help take the stress out of the buying experience. Moving is stressful enough, contact me for help today!
I will walk you through each step and present all of your options so that you are comfortable making each decision along the way. What really sets me apart from my competition is my dedication to my clients. I answer phone calls and e-mails and return messages promptly. I help take the stress out of the buying experience. Moving is stressful enough, contact me for help today!
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| 5 Tips for Homebuyers Seeking a Mortgage |
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Here’s a warning for potential borrowers: Nervous lenders have tough new rules and are paperwork crazy. "Borrowers are going to have to prove they are the borrower they say they are," says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, a mortgage-industry publisher in Pompton Plains, N.J. Gumbinger says homebuyers should consider these things before they apply for a loan. 1. Down payments are critical. Borrowers should expect to put down at least 10 percent for a “conforming loan” – a mortgage that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will purchase. 2. Credit scores count. A 720 on the 850-point FICO rating scale will get a borrower access to the best rates. Rich Bira, branch manager of FCM Direct Lender in Chicago, says: "A score between 720 and 739 gets 0.125 percent added to the rate, a score between 700 and 719 gets 0.375 percent added to the rate, and a score between 680 and 699 gets 0.5 percent added to the rate.” 3. Consider VA and FHA. Borrowers without down payments or with less than stellar credit scores should consider these government-insured loans offered through the Federal Housing Administration of the Veterans Administration. 4. Unearth the records. Before applying, borrowers should organize tax, banking and other records that prove income, savings and debts. They should also expect to be patient about what may seem to be endless requests for information. 5. Get rid of debts. Limiting debts, including what borrowers expect to pay for the mortgage, to less than 43 percent of gross income is important. Source: Chicago Tribune, Mary Umberger (02/15/09)
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Lisa Meier is a REALTOR licensed in the state of Texas. Equal housing opportunity. The broker does not guarantee the information describing any property. Interested parties are advised to independently verify all information through personal inspection or with appropriate professionals. Broker Licensed in Texas.