Posted on: 02nd Jan, 2007 04:59 pm
hey guys let me give you a quick breakdown of my life, i just moved to lakeland florida about 6 months ago after becoming a firefighter/emt, i lived in south florida before that where an average home is like 400k, now here i can get a place below 200k, i make about 40k a year and have a beacon score of 640. my girlfriend also lives with me and makes about what i do. so we went looking at houses just for fun yesterday and we saw a few we liked, one was a 1600ft townhouse for 160k and a nice 1900ft home for 235k. i think the house is out of our range, but she has big eyes and doesn't think about money much. the truth is we don't have any money saved up but want to buy before prices start going back up, i believe i may qualify for several first time buyers grants because of my position. ok here are my questions
-what down payment assistance programs can i qualify for?
-what is the best type of mortgage to get for the long run?
-is it better to get something thats really cheap like an interest only and then refinance a few years later? or just go with a traditional fixed rate?
-realistically how much should i be expecting to pay each month for a mortgage, tax, and insurance?
thank you guys for any help you can give me, i am sure i will have hundreds of more questions soon enough.
-what down payment assistance programs can i qualify for?
-what is the best type of mortgage to get for the long run?
-is it better to get something thats really cheap like an interest only and then refinance a few years later? or just go with a traditional fixed rate?
-realistically how much should i be expecting to pay each month for a mortgage, tax, and insurance?
thank you guys for any help you can give me, i am sure i will have hundreds of more questions soon enough.
Hi,
You can take a 100% piggyback mortgage where you will not have to make a downpayment.
"-what is the best type of mortgage to get for the long run? "
Secondly for the long term, 30 yr fixed would be suitable option, if you do not have plans of moving out.
"-is it better to get something thats really cheap like an interest only and then refinance a few years later? or just go with a traditional fixed rate? "
I would also suggest that do not go for an interest only, refinancing after a few years will be better.
Let me tell you that nothing stupid about asking things beforehand instead of repenting after making a wrong choice.
Loan Advisor
You can take a 100% piggyback mortgage where you will not have to make a downpayment.
"-what is the best type of mortgage to get for the long run? "
Secondly for the long term, 30 yr fixed would be suitable option, if you do not have plans of moving out.
"-is it better to get something thats really cheap like an interest only and then refinance a few years later? or just go with a traditional fixed rate? "
I would also suggest that do not go for an interest only, refinancing after a few years will be better.
Let me tell you that nothing stupid about asking things beforehand instead of repenting after making a wrong choice.
Loan Advisor
what exactly is a piggyback mortgage I've heard of it before.
I don't plan on moving for atleast 10-15 years.
ok so I go with a fixed rate, but what rates are considered good now? and is there a way I can find out how much my insurance will be as well as my taxes?
thank you
I don't plan on moving for atleast 10-15 years.
ok so I go with a fixed rate, but what rates are considered good now? and is there a way I can find out how much my insurance will be as well as my taxes?
thank you
Piggyback is a combination of 2 mortgage one for 80% of the value and 20% for the rest. With such loan you will not be required to have a PMI.
what kind of rates can I expect to find on those loans? how much of a realistic payment will I be looking at for a 200k house?
Hi Silentneko,
Welcome to the forums.
Regarding the down payment assistance that you are looking for, you can enquire at the local and state agencies conducting bond programs. There are purchase limits off course for which one needs to qualify provided he has earns the required money.
Also, you can look out for some non-profit companies providing down payment assistance. It's a kind of gift assistance worth 3% of the home sale price. But for this, you'll have to show the authorities that you have qualified for a loan.
Then there is the chance to get 100% gift funds from the FHA. All you need to do is approach the offices and enquire about the assistance.
Thanks,
Sara
Welcome to the forums.
Regarding the down payment assistance that you are looking for, you can enquire at the local and state agencies conducting bond programs. There are purchase limits off course for which one needs to qualify provided he has earns the required money.
Also, you can look out for some non-profit companies providing down payment assistance. It's a kind of gift assistance worth 3% of the home sale price. But for this, you'll have to show the authorities that you have qualified for a loan.
Then there is the chance to get 100% gift funds from the FHA. All you need to do is approach the offices and enquire about the assistance.
Thanks,
Sara
Hi Silentneko,
Welcome to our forums.
Doesn't matter if you have too many questions. We shall be happy to answer you and help you out. It's a community where people share their problems and discuss among them to find out some kind of solution.
For the long run, you may go for fixed rate loans as they require somewhat stable payments throughout the loan term. As you don't have sufficient savings now, so I won't advice you to go for an adjustable rate mortgage where rates can be low initially but then they shoot up at regular intervals. And, then if you fail to bear the payments as they go on rising, tat become painful indeed.
You can still go for an interest-only loan and refinance later on when rates are low compared to you existing loan. This will help you to keep aside some cash for savings.
Piggyback doesn't seem to be a good option. I personally feel making the down payment is much better than going for a combination of two loans (as in piggyback). I will cost you less I believe and save you from paying interest on two loans.
Now, the payments – well, that will depend upon the loan program you are choosing and the lender you are dealing with. What you can do is look out for lenders, gather all kind of data – the rates, fees and possible monthly payments, then compare them and decide which program to go for.
Hope I could offer some help.
Feel free to come up with further queries.
Thanks,
Caron.
Welcome to our forums.
Doesn't matter if you have too many questions. We shall be happy to answer you and help you out. It's a community where people share their problems and discuss among them to find out some kind of solution.
For the long run, you may go for fixed rate loans as they require somewhat stable payments throughout the loan term. As you don't have sufficient savings now, so I won't advice you to go for an adjustable rate mortgage where rates can be low initially but then they shoot up at regular intervals. And, then if you fail to bear the payments as they go on rising, tat become painful indeed.
You can still go for an interest-only loan and refinance later on when rates are low compared to you existing loan. This will help you to keep aside some cash for savings.
Piggyback doesn't seem to be a good option. I personally feel making the down payment is much better than going for a combination of two loans (as in piggyback). I will cost you less I believe and save you from paying interest on two loans.
Now, the payments – well, that will depend upon the loan program you are choosing and the lender you are dealing with. What you can do is look out for lenders, gather all kind of data – the rates, fees and possible monthly payments, then compare them and decide which program to go for.
Hope I could offer some help.
Feel free to come up with further queries.
Thanks,
Caron.
Rates on the second loan in piggyback are quite high compared to that of the first.
Currently fixed rates seem to be around 5.50% and 30 year loans are available at near to 6% rate of interest.
Since you are planning not to move within 10-15 years, a fixed rate is a feasible option for you.
Currently fixed rates seem to be around 5.50% and 30 year loans are available at near to 6% rate of interest.
Since you are planning not to move within 10-15 years, a fixed rate is a feasible option for you.
Neko, if you are looking for some down payment assistance, you can go for the assistnce available from HUD. Just go through hud.gov/local/fl/homeownership/programs/countylist03.cfm to know more about it.
Hi silentneko,
For a fixed rate loan of 30 years at a rate of 6%, you will have to pay $1199.10 as the sum of principal and interest. Besides there are property taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis.
Ask your lender to help you with the calculations. You may also use the calculator at http://www.mortgagefit.com/calculators/simple.html
Thanks
For a fixed rate loan of 30 years at a rate of 6%, you will have to pay $1199.10 as the sum of principal and interest. Besides there are property taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis.
Ask your lender to help you with the calculations. You may also use the calculator at http://www.mortgagefit.com/calculators/simple.html
Thanks
it seems I make to much for the hud programs, but I am looking into a program offered just for firefighters and police that will give me up to $15000. using that as a down payment I think I might be able to get away from the 100% financing, but now where to look for a loan? are there home town hero programs that apply to mortgages?
Hi,
Yes, Hometown Heroes Homebuyer assistance programs are available which can help in covering down payment and/or settlement costs related to the purchase of the house.
You should contact the County Executive of your county to get all details about applicability of such a program in your region.
Yes, Hometown Heroes Homebuyer assistance programs are available which can help in covering down payment and/or settlement costs related to the purchase of the house.
You should contact the County Executive of your county to get all details about applicability of such a program in your region.
Don't think he'll find such a program in Florida Aaron.
That's only offered in New Castle county.
That's only offered in New Castle county.
Hi Silentneko,
Welcome back.
For the down payment assistance, you can contact the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Their address and contact numbers are given below:
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
227 N. Bronough Street, Suite 5000
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 488-4197
(850) 278-4197 (SUNCOM)
(850) 488-9809 - fax
Feel free to share with us if you could get some help from the FHFC. :) We can then refer other people in need to such helpful organizations.
Thanks,
Caron.
Welcome back.
For the down payment assistance, you can contact the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Their address and contact numbers are given below:
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
227 N. Bronough Street, Suite 5000
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 488-4197
(850) 278-4197 (SUNCOM)
(850) 488-9809 - fax
Feel free to share with us if you could get some help from the FHFC. :) We can then refer other people in need to such helpful organizations.
Thanks,
Caron.
Wouldn't he qualify for a Next Door Program since he is a Firefighter/EMT?
Yes Wenzel, I have heard that HUD offers up to fifty percent discount from the home's list price. In return the person has to stay in the house for 3 years as his sole residence. And can apply for FHA insured mortgage with only a $100 downpayment requirement.
Loan Advisor
Loan Advisor