Virginia Real Estate Blog

Should You Save 20% for a Down Payment?

If you’re planning to buy a new home, you may be wondering about the down payment. Loan programs require down payments as low as 3.5% for FHA loans and conventional offers as low as 5%. While you have a lot of options, there are 4 strong benefits to making a 20% down payment on your home.

1. Lower Interest Rates – A borrower who can put 20% down on a home is considered a lower-risk buyer. In addition, the lender only needs to recover 80% of the home’s value in the event of a default. Therefore, the interest rates will be more favorable than that of a higher loan-to-value program.

2. Less Interest Paid – A lower loan amount means there is a smaller amount of money subject to interest. Over the life of the loan, putting 20% down on the home will save you thousands of dollars in interest.

3. Your Offer is Stronger – In a highly competitive market, sellers are more likely to accept an offer with a higher down payment. You will be considered more financially stable and thus better able to close on the loan and sale.

4. No PMI – PMI (private mortgage insurance) is an additional fee added to all home loan payments where the value of the home is under 80%. This provides insurance to the lender in the event of a default.

Ultimately, work with your lender to understand your options and identify the best loan program for your needs, but putting 20% down on a home loan can provide some nice perks.

Property Liens That Can Stop The Sale

One of the most common reasons for a home sale to fall through is the presence of property liens. Often the sellers are not even aware they have a lien on their home and the delay caused by having them removed can cause a qualified buyer to look elsewhere.

Along with other pre-listing tasks, such as repairs and curb appeal projects, sellers should order a title search to determine if any liens are on the property. Some liens are expected, such as the mortgage lien which ensures any home loan is paid off at the time of close, but others might come as a surprise. Here are a few liens which can derail your closing.

· Mechanics Lien – A contractor may place a mechanics lien on your home to make sure they are paid after a home project.

· Divorce Lien – Even if you and your spouse have agreed on the sale of the home, the court may need to approve the sale before the lien can be removed.

· Homeowner’s Association – Past due HOA payments and assessments can lead to a lien on the home.

· IRS and Property Taxes - A government legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt.

· Judgment Liens - Is a court ruling that gives a creditor the right to take possession of a debtor's real or personal property if the debtor fails to fulfill his or her contractual obligations.

· Credit Card Liens – If you default on a credit card and the issuers get a judgment, they can attach...

5 Signs That You Should Take Your Home Off The Market

When you first list your home for sale, the goal is to see an offer or two from a highly qualified buyer quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes days and weeks go by without much interest. When this happens, it may be time to reevaluate the listing and cancel the listing. Here are 6 signs that it’s time to take your house off the market.

1. Your Financial Situation Has Changed – If you are planning to buy a new home and you are no longer able to do so, then it could be time to cancel the listing, job loss, major expenses, etc.

2. Lowball Offers – Lowball offers could mean either that the house is priced too high, or buyers see the home as a fixer-upper.

3. Repair Needs – If you discover major repair needs, such as a new roof or slab leak, it might make sense to repair and then relist.

4. Needs Updating – While most real estate agents discourage making updates before listing if you are getting feedback from buyers that your home is too dated, performing targeted upgrades may help sell when you relist.

5. Too Much Competition – Even in a seller’s market there can be too many options for buyers. If you can wait for a slower market, your home will stand out more and garner more interest.

A seller’s market does not guarantee that every listing will sell quickly and for a good price. If your home is not attracting the offers you’d hoped for, consider removing it from the market and adjusting your approach.