Explore our blog for insights on buying, financing, remodeling, and taking care of your home.
If you've heard the term 203(k), FHA 203k, 203k loan or 203k renovation mortgage, then you're one step ahead of most Americans. This special product offering from HUD for fixing up housing stock has been around since the late 1970s, yet many real estate agents know nothing about it, and the public is in the dark. Even if you've heard of the 203k, you may not know much - if anything - about it. That's all okay. We're here to let you know what it means and how it can help home buyers (and even sellers!).
FHA loans are one option for home buyers in today's market. In fact it's often a popular route for first time home buyers. One main reason for the desire to go FHA is the low down payment requirement. Home buyers need 3.5% of the purchase price as cash-on-hand for the down payment. This means if you're buying an $80,000 house you'll need less than $3,000 for the down payment.
How do the home improvement loans "HomeStyle Renovation" and "FHA 203k" compare side by side? If you're searching out this answer, then you're already familiar with the idea of renovation mortgages. The video below compares these two well-known options for financing a fixer-upper home purchase (or refinance). After the video we'll also take a look at some of the facts in a chart for you, so you're well-equipped to make the right decision for your home buying situation. Download the Ultimate Guide to Renovation Loans here and learn more about all your renovation options.
When you're buying a house and you're ready to move, patience can be hard to come by. A week can seem like a month. It's even worse when you're waiting on someone else, and you're ready to get things done. A common question during the mortgage process is "How long?" This could be "How long does it take to get pre-approved?" Or a home buyer who wants to use an FHA 203k loan to do some upgrades or remodeling on the house they're buying might ask, "How long does it take to go from making an offer to closing?"
If someone tells you that they bough their new house with a USDA Rural Development mortgage, do you picture them living on a farm down a dirt road with chores like milking cows at dawn? Does "rural" make you think of a sea of corn stalks with a house plopped in the middle of the field?
We've talked about pest inspections for first time home buyers during the month of November. We have looked at the damage left behind by termites and carpenter ants. You saw mud tubes in the basement of a house, and damage to a bedroom floor. You also saw a few areas where you can help prevent insect infestation.
Equal Housing Lender
A division of Amerifirst Financial Corporation
950 Trade Centre Way, Suite 400
Kalamazoo, MI 49002
NMLS ID #110139
This is not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify; contact us for more information on fees and terms.
