BETTER GET YOUR MONEY: Invest In Your Now And Your Future

Lenders have loosened their mortgage guidelines, So why not loosen your purse strings?

Shelter is a basic human need. Why would you Borrow that need from somebody else?

Your landlord has the right to increase your rent at the end of your lease and guess what, if you cannot afford the hike then you are left scrambling to find a way to meet that basic need. Is this something that you want to face each year? Is this something that you want to put yourself and your family through?

If you answered “YES”, then congratulations on buying your landlord their home!!

If you answered “NO” then WAKE UP and change that now. Rates have NOT YET taken a major spike. The bank will never increase your monthly payment. Your monthly payment will remain the same with a fixed mortgage until you pay it off- at which point you will basically have FREE shelter. Of course you will be responsible for your annual taxes and insurance which is far less than rent anyways.

Think about this.

Current qualifications to purchase a home

• 2 year history of income
• 620 credit score

THAT’S IT!! DON’T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE!!!!

Sara Jenkins- 770-315-9813

Beginning To End: Steps To Purchasing Your Home

Step 1:

• Locate a Lender (A Good Agent Will Give You Several Lender Referrals.

Have Your Documents in Order. These documents include a copy of your Drivers License, 2 years Tax Returns, W-2’s, 1 Month Paystubs, 2 Months Bank Statements (All Pages).

• CONTACT that lender and ask for a “Pre – Approval”. This is Different than a “Pre- Qualification”

The Lender Will Run Your Credit — AND THAT IS OK… This WILL NOT affect your score because you are shopping around for a mortgage. Be sure to do this within a 30 day period.

Step 2:

• Send Your Pre- APPROVAL To Your Chosen Real Estate Agent

Set Your budget and Understand Your Market. If you Cannot Afford Prime Rib then buy a burger and add fancy toppings!! The Goal here is to buy a home, an investment in your future. Word of Advice… DO NOT run away if you can’t get everything that you want, 99% of the time buying a home is about compromise.

Step 3:

• Find Your Home.

You Will NOT be under contract for this home until ALL parties Agree to a price and  ALL parties have signed the contract, thus binding it at this time.

Step 4:

• Schedule your home inspection within your DUE DILIGENCE period. Try to use a CERTIFIED Inspector.

Should any issues arise, they will be addressed and renegotiated by your Real Estate Agent.

Step 5:

• Your lender has ordered an appraisal and that should be in shortly.

If your appraisal comes back lower than the contract price, then your agent will attempt to renegotiate a lower price for the property! Sometime is can be good news for you!!

Step 6:

• CONGRATULATIONS HOMEOWNER, YOU ARE CLEAR TO CLOSE!!!!

Now Have at it! Sign Your Papers, Get your keys, Pick Your Paint Colors and Your Curtains!!! This is Your Home- This Is Your Security- This is your Investment To A Brighter Future-

You Can Search North Atlanta Houses at….

http://www.sara.viewnorthatlantahouses.com/

Housing and Savings

It’s Tax Time!!! This can mean 3 things for a lot of people… 1) Federal Money 2)State Money & 3) New Beginnings!! Did you know that you can buy a home with NO MONEY DOWN?? or as little as 3%?? There are so many qualifying options. Lenders can qualify people down to a 580 credit score! Of course they prefer a 620 or better yet a 640- but they can still accommodate the lower end as well. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY! I can’t urge you enough. LOW RATES, LOW RATES, LOW RATES!!!! Invest in your future NOT your landlords.

Another idea of what you may be missing out on…. When you rent you are spending, on average, 38% more money monthly rather than if you own a home of equal value. In other words, IT IS LESS EXPENSIVE TO OWN THAN IT IS TO RENT!! Please contact me with questions and a free consultation.

TIPS:

1* Be Mindful of Business Deductions When Filing Your Return. The Lesser Amount Becomes Your Qualifying Income

2*Buy a Home

My team and I will get you to where you want to be!

Sara Jenkins 770-315-9813

 

Home Insurance for House Hunters

Your dream home is right around the corner, BUT WAIT!! what about the other costs involved?? Homeowners insurance is one of those costs_ did you know that they want one year paid up front? This full year is included in your closing costs and is paid at the closing table(hopefully by the seller, if you have a strong buyers agent negotiating on your behalf)_ I recently met with a 5 star Insurance agency that has beaming customer service reviews. Christine and Lauren enlightened me for nearly 1 hour with all that they have to offer to customers. They do a lot of leg work and have the lowest premiums I have seen. The most recent as $492.00!! compare that to $1200.00…. THAT IS A SAVINGS OF $708.00!!! That is $708 LESS that you need to pay as part of your closing costs. This was great news- Did you know what factors are considered in your quote? Contact Lauren or Christine to find out.

Office: 678-745-9430

http://insurance-agency.amfam.com/GA/christine-mccullock/

*disclaimer: all premium quotes vary based on each individuals unique circumstance*

Sara Jenkins

Real Estate Consultant

Optimus Real Estate Brokers

770-315-9813

‘US Mortgage Rates Hit New Low’

This is a link to a recent article done for AJC. I advise you to read this article and pay close attention. This is your time to get in! If you are hesitant over down payments/closing costs, DON’T BE!! There are ways around that. We have a great team that at the current moment can get you into a home for almost nothing out of pocket. Take Advantage, Take Advantage, Take Advantage!!

Optimus Real Estate Brokers

Sara Jenkins: 770-315-9813

http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/average-us-30-year-loan-rate-falls-to-373-pct/njjN9/

Why Would You Ever Buy A Home??

A home is where the heart is, right? yes, but a home is also where the money is. Confused? Let’s break it down. How much are you spending on rent each month? Now multiply that by 12….This is the amount that you are paying toward your landlords house every year!! even worse, if that landlord owns the house outright then that is the money that his pockets are being lined with, Courtesy of you and all of your hard work. You will Never see that money again. Wouldn’t you rather keep your money?? Sure the bank will collect interest off of your loan but you are still paying down the principal amount. You also benefit from tax breaks etc. (talk to your CPA). A home is one of the best investments that you can make! Interest rates are still low and housing prices are consistently on the rise, there is no better time than now to dip into homeownership. Have you ever heard of the term “Equity”? This term means that you have value or fairness in something. (Value) – (Loan Balance) = (equity). Another example- You purchase a home for $100,000.00 via financing but it is appraised at $115,000.00 – you instantly become $15,000.00 richer at the closing table!

Equity is a great resource to have if you are strapped for cash and need to tap into something. Needless to say home ownership is scary and can be intimidating for a first time homebuyer but with the right professionals in your corner you can reach your financial goals.

Optimus Real Estate Brokers:

Sara Jenkins 770-315-9813