2 Myths Holding Back Home Buyers
Freddie Mac recently released a report entitled, “Perceptions of Down Payment Consumer Research.” Their research revealed that,
“For many prospective homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the largest barrier to achieving the goal of homeownership. Part of the challenge for those planning to purchase a home is their perception of how much they will need to save for the down payment…
…Based on our recent survey of individuals planning to purchase a home in the next three years, nearly a third think they need to put more than 20% down.”
Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”
Buyers often overestimate the funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the same report:
22% of renters and 31% of homeowners believe lenders require 20% or more of a home’s sale price as a down payment for a typical mortgage today. And,
“If a 20% down payment was required, 70% of those who were planning to buy a home in the next three years said it would delay them from purchasing and nearly 30% indicated they would never be able to afford a home.”
While many believe at least 20% down is necessary to buy the home of their dreams, they do not realize programs are available which permit as little as 3%. Many renters may actually be able to enter the housing market sooner than they ever imagined!
Myth #2: “I Need a 780 FICO® Score or Higher to Buy”
Many either don’t know or are misinformed concerning the FICO® score necessary to qualify, believing a ‘good’ credit score is 780 or higher.
To debunk this myth, let’s take a look at Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insight Report, which focuses on recently closed (approved) loans.
As indicated in the chart above, 52.4% of approved mortgages had a credit score of 600-749.
Bottom Line
Whether buying your first home or moving up to your dream home, knowing your options will make the mortgage process easier. Your dream home may already be within your reach.
Should I Update My House Before I Sell It?
Should I Update My House Before I Sell It? Some Highlights If you’re deciding whether you should make updates before you sell your house, lean on your agent to be your guide. If the market is flooded with houses for sale, updates...
Sell Your House Before the Holidays
Sell Your House Before the Holidays As you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key decision points could be whether or not you want to move this year. If the...
Two Graphs That Show Why You Shouldn’t Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates
Two Graphs That Show Why You Shouldn’t Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac climbing above 3%, rising rates are one of the topics dominating the discussion in the housing market today. And since...
Salt Lake homebuyers, on average, paid $120,000 more than they did the same quarter last year
Numbers Don’t Lie – It’s Still a Great Time To Sell
Numbers Don’t Lie – It’s Still a Great Time To Sell Some Highlights Heading into the end of the year, you might wonder if it’s still a good time to sell your house. Here’s what the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says. Housing supply is...
Experts Project Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Rise in 2022
Experts Project Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Rise in 2022 Mortgage rates are one of several factors that impact how much you can afford if you’re buying a home. When rates are low, they help you get more house for your money. Within the last year, mortgage rates...
Sellers Have Incredible Leverage in Today’s Market
Sellers Have Incredible Leverage in Today’s Market With mortgage rates climbing above 3% for the first time in months, serious buyers are more motivated than ever to find a home before the end of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of...
The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary
The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary Some Highlights Applying for a mortgage is a big step towards homeownership, but it doesn’t need to be one you fear. Here are some tips to help you prepare. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When...
Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends.
Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends. The biggest challenge in real estate today is the lack of available homes for sale. The low housing supply has caused homes throughout the country to appreciate at a much faster rate than what we’ve experienced...
There Are More Homes Available Now than There Were This Spring
There Are More Homes Available Now than There Were This Spring There’s a lot of talk lately about how challenging it can be to find a home to buy. While housing inventory is still low, there are a few important things to understand about the supply of homes for sale...