Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday Morning!

Talk of a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy is currenty having little effect on the national housing market.  Any current slowdown in housing right now is most likely going to be fueled more by inflation with home prices.  The unknow is, how much inflation will influence the potential for a recession.  Here is an article from "Realtor.com" that talks about recession risks and the national housing market.

While the U.S. economy has been chugging upward for the last seven years, the good times could be coming to an end. But that isn't deterring determined home shoppers from trying to close on a home.

Whether it's sooner or later, most home buyers, according to a recent realtor.com® survey, believe a recession is on the way (much like winter on "Game of Thrones"). About 70% of home shoppers believe the United States will enter a recession within the next three years.

More than 1,000 active home buyers participated in the survey.

"There may be concern among some consumers, but economists and analysts generally expect that the next recession will be more mild than the [Great Recession], particularly in the housing market," says Danielle Hale, realtor.com's chief economist.

However, these gray clouds on the horizon could have a silver lining. If a downturn hits, about 41% of shoppers expect the housing market will fare better than it did in the Great Recession of a decade ago. Another 36% of respondents believe it's going to be worse, while 23% think it'll be just as bad.

Yet other life factors are simply closer to home.

Another recession isn't going to stop information technology specialist Richard Fame, 51, of Eastpointe, MI, from selling his home to buy a new one.

"It is inevitable," Fame adds, of his family's facing the possibility of an economic downturn. "If I make money on my current house, that's great, but I know I'm going to need to move."

In his family's case, moving to a better school district outweighs fears of a housing crash.

"Our next house will be for the long term," explains Fame.

Low mortgage interest rates could help to buoy the housing market as well. Rates fell to just 4.06% this week on 30-year fixed-rate loans, according to Freddie Mac. This could spur more buyers to close before rates go back up again.

The housing slowdown, which began over the summer as prices in many markets reached unheard-of highs and more sellers rushed to list their homes to cash in, could also lure buyers to seal the deal. It's resulted in more inventory and given home shoppers more options. And while home prices aren't coming down in most of the country, they are seeing a slower rate of appreciation.

Why a recession could be heading our way 

There are a number of factors that suggest a downturn could be looming—but that doesn't mean folks should panic just yet. Despite high home prices, it doesn't appear that there's a housing bubble about to burst due to bad mortgages and an over-inflated market. Instead, a U.S. trade war with China could spur one; or a disastrous Brexit. Or it could just be that after some really good years, the good times eventually have to end.

"Workers are scarce, with the unemployment rate near record lows, and that's pushing up wages," says Hale. "Employers have to pay to attract workers, which could eventually translate into higher prices and cause consumption to slow."

That can cause inflation, a problem that can snowball if it increases at a higher pace than wages. The U.S. Federal Reserve typically tries to keep inflation in check by raising interest rates. This, in turn, makes it costlier for companies to borrow money to open up new operations, invest in new equipment, or hire new employees. And that can slow down the economy.

"I don't think the next recession will be as severe for the housing market as the last one," says Hale. "This one isn't likely to be as bad."

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

5241 Sugarpine Cir  

Price: $265,000    Beds: 2    Baths: 2.0    Sq Ft: 1188

Charming home thats been well maintained. Covered front entry with 2 car garage. Open kitchen & dining combo, tile floors, white cabinets, laundry room, and walk-in pantry. Open living room with pellet stove. Fenced & private back yard with patio and...View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

I am seeing a trend in our local housing market that is not good.  The overall market remains strong, but the inventory of homes remains low and dropped from that of March.  In February we had an inventory of 2.2 months and this declined in March to 1.8 months.  At the same time, we had an increase in the cost of homes in our area.  There are fewer homes on the market and those homes that are for sale are continuing to be more expensive.  The primary issue here is that there really are not many homes available for the first time buyer in our area.  First time buyers purchasing homes are what keeps a housing market healthy.  Our market in Eugene and Springfield in my mind is anything but healthy at this point.  It has been a great market for sellers and a horrible market for buyers for some time now.  Now with housing prices soaring, the market is becomeing tougher for sellers, even though the inventory is lower.  This is due to affordability.  This cannot sustain itself and I am predicting that at some point this year, we will see this market shift dramatically. Time will tell.  Here are the numbers for Lane County home sales during March of 2019.

March Residential Highlights

Lane County saw an uptick in seasonal activity this March, but had cooler activity than in 2018. There were 453 pending sales, ending 7.4%under the 489 offers accepted last year in March 2018 but 47.1% aheadof the 308 offers accepted last monthin February 2019.

New listings, at 444, slipped 16.4%from March 2018 (531) but ended 35.0% ahead of the 329 new listings offered last month in February 2019.

Closed sales (314) fared similarly, showing a 22.3% decrease from March 2018 (404) and a 9.0% increase compared with February 2019 when 288 closings were recorded.

Inventory decreased to 1.8 months in March, with total market time decreasing to 60 days.

Average and Median Sale Prices

Comparing the average price of homes ending March 31st of this year ($311,900) with the average price of homes sold in the twelve months ending March 2018 ($292,800) shows an increase of 6.5%. The same comparison of the median shows an increase of 7.5% over the same period.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

2945 Ava Street  

Price: $337,000    Beds: 3    Baths: 2.0    Sq Ft: 1570

New Construction. this home is sure to impress. Open Living, Dining, & Kitchen. Great for entertaining. Master suite with walk-in closet and master bath. Two additional bedrooms are on opposite side of house. This home includes a Laundry room and a...View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

Nationally, homes sales were up slightly during the month of March of 2019. At the same time, home prices increased slightly as mortgage interest rates dipped.  This slight increase in both sales and home prices is good news for what is now appearing to be a steady Real Estate market for most of the country in 2019.  If mortgage interest rates hold or even decline further, this will certainly help maintain an active market. The key is to keep home prices from escalating at any kind of fast pace.  Home price increases would potentially negate the decrease in mortgage interest rates.

With a market that appears to be stable and home prices remaining high, this is a very good time to think about selling your home.  This is especailly true in the Eugene and Springfield area where demand for homes remains very high and inventories remain low.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEKS HOT HOME LISTING!

3329 Coburg Road  

Price: $455,000    Beds: 3    Baths: 2.5    Sq Ft: 1771

New Construction. Acacia engineered hardwood in entry. Office, living room, kitchen, and family room. Bathrooms and utility room have tile flooring. Home has stained hickory cabinets & quartz countertops throughout. Master suite with tile bathroom...View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

If you are purchasing a home, the home inspection is an integral part of this process. To protect your best interests, having the home you are purchasing inspected first can give you a look at the condition of the home and may save you from purchasing a home with unknown issues.  My advice to my clients is to never make a home purchase blindly and without having an expert look at all of the homes components.  Here is an article form Realty Times that gives you go information on home inspections.

If you're hiring someone to inspect the home you want to buy, or you're a seller trying to find out if there are any hidden problems that need fixing before you put your home on the market, here are five things you need to know:

1. You can choose your home inspector.

Your real estate professional can recommend an inspector, or you can find one on your own. Members of the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI), must complete an approved home inspector training program, demonstrate experience and competence as a home inspector, complete a written exam, and adhere to the NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

2. Home inspections are intended to point out adverse conditions, not cosmetic flaws.

You should attend the inspection and follow the inspector throughout the inspection so you can learn what's important and what's not. No house is perfect and an inspection on any home is bound to uncover faults. A home inspector will point out conditions that need repair and/or potential safety-related concerns relating to the home. They won't comment on cosmetic items if they don't impair the integrity of the home. They also do not do destructive testing.

3. Home inspection reports include only the basics.

A home inspector considers hundreds of items during an average inspection. The home inspection should include the home's exterior, steps, porches, decks, chimneys, roof, windows, and doors. Inside, they will look at attics, electrical components, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning, basement/crawlspaces, and garages.

They report on the working order of items such as faucets to see if they leak, or garage doors to see if they close properly. Inspectors may point out termite damage and suggest that you get a separate pest inspection. The final written report should be concise and easy to understand.

4. Home inspectors work for the party who is paying the fee.

The NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics clearly state that members act as an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction and "will discharge the Inspector's duties with integrity and fidelity to the client." A reputable home inspector will not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home inspection report if his or her fee is contingent on untruthful conclusions.

The inspector should maintain client confidentiality and keep all report findings private, unless required by court order. That means it is your choice whether or not to share the report with others. If you're a seller, you don't have to disclose the report to buyers, but you must disclose any failure in the systems or integrity of your home.

5. Inspectors are not responsible for the condition of the home.

Inspectors don't go behind walls or under flooring, so it's possible that a serious problem can be overlooked. Keep in mind that inspectors are not party to the sales transaction, so if you buy a home where an expensive problem surfaces after the sale, you won't be able to make the inspector liable or get the inspector to pay for the damage. In fact, you may not be entitled to any compensation beyond the cost of the inspection.

As a buyer, you need the home inspection to decide if the home is in condition that you can tolerate. You can use the report to show the seller the need for a certain repair or negotiate a better price. You can also take the report to a contractor and use it to make repairs or to remodel a section of the home.

One thing you should not do when buying a home is skip having the home inspected because of cost or undue pressure by the seller. A home inspection is reasonable, it can save you money in the long run, and it's required by many lenders, particularly for FHA loans. There's a reason why buyers should beware, and a home inspection gives you the information you need to make a sound buying decision.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

39285 Upper Camp Creek Rd  

Price: $950,000    Beds: 5    Baths: 3    Sq Ft: 3520

New Construction. this home is sure to impress. Open Living, Dining, & Kitchen. Great for entertaining. Master suite with walk-in closet and master bath. Two additional bedrooms are on opposite side of house. This home includes a Laundry room and a ...View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

Last month, homes sales were down nationally and home values also dipped slightly. This took place at the same time that home mortgage rates were down over the previous several months. It is too early to tell, but this could indicate the fact that the housing market is going to flatten out this year and the trend for home price increases could be over for now. We will certainly know more by mid year, but the trend over the last few months looks as if the housing market is going to slow from the fast pace of the last several years. This trend could be extremely favorable to would be homebuyers.

Have An Awesome Week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

3346 Roanoke Ave 

Price: $610,000    Beds: 4    Baths: 2.5    Sq Ft: 2577

This beautiful one level home features an open concept floor plan, tall ceilings, 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Stainless steel Dacor appliances. Office space/den with french doors & builtins. Large island bar off kitchen, granite counters, and hardwood floors...... View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning,

The national home sales statistics for October 2018 indicate that the national housing market remains flat.  There was little change in home sales numbers and home prices from the month of September.  Mortgage interest rates were up slightly, but still remain favorable.  These numbers indicate that the national housing market remains healthy.  With little change going into the Fall months, this suggest that we should see a very healthy and stable national housing market into the first quarter of 2019.

The housing market in the Eugene and Springfield area remains very robust for the price ranges of $300,00.00 and under, but drops off considerably in the upper end price ranges over $500,000.00 and above.  The housing market for homes that work for first time home buyers remains a strong sellers market, but changes considerably from a sellers market in the upper end market.  This trend should remain unchanged going into 2019.

View video HERE.

Have an awesome week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

 88139 KEOLA LN

Price: $495,000   Beds: 4   Baths: 3   Partial Baths: 1   Sq Ft: 2794

Gorgeous & private rural living! Serene tree views surround 1.37 acre estate. Well-manicured gardens w/ paths, sitting areas & huge patio. Finished 3-car garage & half bath, w/ guest suite above. Features media rm, open layout & private master suite...View this property >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Morning!

There can be some confusion in the minds of the average consumer about interest rates, especially as it relates to the Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, meetings. About every six weeks, the FOMC meets to discuss the current state of the economy with an eye toward the future. One important task is to monitor and adjust the cost of funds. In general, the “Fed” tries to keep inflation in check and in theory raise or lower the cost of funds. They do so by adjusting the Federal Funds rate and this is the rate that gets so much press each time the FOMC meets.

The Federal Funds rate is the rate banks can charge one another for short term lending. Short term as in overnight. Why does a bank need to borrow money on such a short notice? Banks are required to keep a certain amount of liquid capital, in other words “cash,” at the end of each business day. These funds are essentially demand funds. When a consumer wants to withdraw some cash either at the bank or at any automated teller, there needs to be cash available to meet those withdrawal requests. If the bank sees their reserves to meet these requests do not meet the reserve requirements, banks seek out a short term loan from another depository institution to meet the reserve requirements. This is what the Fed adjusts, the overnight lending rate. But the Fed doesn’t directly impact the everyday 30 year conforming fixed rate mortgage.

When lenders set their rates each day, they refer to a specific mortgage bond. For example, with a 30 year fixed conforming loan underwritten to Fannie Mae standards, the lender will review the current yield on the FNMA 30-yr 3.0 mortgage bond. Just like any bond, with the price of the bond goes up, the yield will fall. And when the price goes down, the yield will rise. Investors buy bonds, all types of bonds, as a safe place to park cash. When the economy appears to falter, investors can get a little skittish and pull some funds from the stock market and transfer those funds into bonds, including mortgage bonds. If on the other hand the economy is healthy and improving, the opposite will occur.

When the Fed makes an announcement at the end of their two-day meetings, investors are anxious to hear if the Fed raised, lowered or kept rates the same. If the Fed announces they decided to raise the cost of funds by 0.25%, it can tell investors the FOMC decided the economy is doing rather well but to hold of any potential inflation, it will raise the cost of funds that banks will pay for short term lending. It’s not a direct affect on mortgage rates, but definitely an indirect one.

Have an awesome week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

825 SAND AVE

Price: $550,000    Beds: 3    Baths: 2    Sq Ft: 2344

Grand very well-maintained home! Light filled vaulted open layout w/ large windows & skylights. Living rm w/ gas fireplace opens to dining area. Office/bonus rm w/ exterior entrance & Shoji sliding dr/rm divider. Massive kitchen w/ cook island, pant...View this property >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Morning!

A loan program that was popular several years ago is making a comeback and many lenders are now offering options for a mortgage loan program called "the Piggyback mortgage".

The following will give you some insight into just what a Piggyback mortgage is and also it will give you some information to help you decide if a "Piggyback" loan is a good option for you, if you are searching for a home loan.

Definition of a Piggyback Mortgage

Also called a “purchase money second mortgage,” a piggyback loan is used by homebuyers with less than 20 percent down to avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Types of Packages

Typical packages might be called 80-10-10 (80 percent first mortgage, 10 percent second mortgage, and 10 percent down payment from the buyer), 80-15-5 (a 15 percent second mortgage, and a five percent down payment) or even an 80-20 (80 percent first mortgage, 20 percent second mortgage, and no down payment from the buyer).

Buyers considering this financing should compare the costs of a second mortgage (they do have higher interest rates than first mortgages) with the cost of a bigger first mortgage plus mortgage insurance. They should compare the after tax costs, because borrowers with higher incomes may not be able to deduct mortgage insurance, but they may still be able to write off mortgage interest.

Piggyback Loan Explained

Essentially, a piggyback loan helps homebuyers who don't have the traditional 20 percent down payment when applying for a mortgage.

A piggyback loan occurs when a borrower takes out two loans simultaneously: one for 80 percent of a home's value, and the other to make up for whatever cash is lacking to make up a 20 percent down payment. This is used as an alternative to private mortgage insurance. A piggyback loan is also known as a second trust loan.

The most common type of piggyback loan is an 80/10/10 where a first mortgage is taken out for 80 percent of the home’s value, a down payment of 10 percent is made and another 10 percent is financed in a second trust loan at a higher interest rate. In some cases, you may even qualify for a piggyback loan with as little as a 5 percent down payment (known as an 80/15/5).

Many lenders will finance loans with down payments of less than 20 percent, but you'll pay a price. Usually, the lender insists you buy private mortgage insurance (PMI) which guarantees that the outstanding balance of your loan will be paid off if you default. You will either pay a lump sum each year for PMI or add the cost to your monthly mortgage payments.

Piggyback loans eliminate the need for PMI. You combine this loan with your down payment to reach the 20 percent down needed for a conventional mortgage. This can significantly lower the interest rate of your mortgage.

If you get a piggyback loan, you will close on it the same time as you close on the mortgage. You will most likely have to pay closing costs, which will require additional upfront cash.

You will probably also have to make two loan payments each month — one for your mortgage and one for the piggyback loan. The interest rate on the piggyback loan will probably be higher. But, the monthly payments of both loans are often still less than they would be if you were paying PMI.

Another benefit of a piggyback loan is that the interest may be tax-deductible, potentially saving you even more money. Check with a tax adviser on how a piggyback loan would affect your tax situation.

Have an awesome week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

176 V Street

Price: $225,000   Beds: 3   Baths: 1   Sq Ft: 1,011

Lovely Hayden Bridge home centrally located! Pride of ownership shows. Step-down living rm w/ pellet stove. Kitchen opens to dining area w/ sliding door. Combination mud/pantry/laundry rm. Workbench in garage, large covered deck w/ hot tub...View this property>>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Monday Morning!

Finally, some bright news for would-be homebuyers. Mortgage interest rates are holding steady and may even see a decline. This trend may help take heat off of a housing market that continues to be over priced for many buyers.

Borrowers saw a slight cool down in mortgage rates this week following last week’s seven-year high. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped for the first time after five consecutive weeks of increases, averaging 4.71 percent.

But the higher rates may be deterring some would-be home buyers. “The strength in the economy has failed to translate to gains in the housing market as higher mortgage rates have contributed to the decrease in home purchase applications, which are down from a year ago,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “With mortgage rates expected to track higher, it’s going to be a challenge for the housing market to regain momentum.”

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Oct. 4:
(Scroll over interactive data chart)

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.71 percent, with an average 0.4 point, falling slightly from last week’s 4.72 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.85 percent.

• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.15 percent, with an average 0.4 point, decreasing from last week’s 4.16 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.15 percent.

• 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 4.01 percent, with an average 0.3 point, rising from last week’s 3.97 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.18 percent.

Have an awesome week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

6997 GLACIER DR

Price: $359,900    Beds: 4    Baths: 2 ½   Sq Ft: 2406

Completely remodeled! Fresh interior & exterior paint. All new carpet, vinyl wood floors, LED lights w/ Decora switches, heat pump, furnace, hot water heater. Large lower level bonus space (not included in SF) w/ lots of potential; could make a grea... View this property >>

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Good Morning!

As a homebuyer, having a competitive edge during our current housing market is an important part of the homebuying process.  I am often asked as to whether it is better to be a pre-approved buyer or a pre-qualified buyer for mortgage financing. The followng article from U.S. News will give you details on both and help you get that competitive edge.

Before you can buy a house, you have to know how you’ll pay for it. For 88 percent of homebuyers, that means financing the purchase with a loan, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2018 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report.

A major part of finding the right lender and knowing what you can afford is providing information to the bank, credit union or other lender to prove you can continue to pay back the loan, with interest, over time.

There are two options to find out what a bank is willing to lend you, as long as everything checks out once you’ve picked a house: prequalification and preapproval.

Prequalification. Having a prequalification letter from a lender means you’re conditionally approved to purchase a home up to a certain price, based on basic information about your income, debt and how much you have saved for a down payment.

While prequalification doesn’t require the documentation and proof of funds needed for a preapproval, it’s particularly helpful for homebuyers who have no idea about their budget for a home. “Prequalification gets them in a position to shop,” says John Pataky, executive vice president at TIAA Bank.

Preapproval. With preapproval, you’re providing the details about your employment and financial information and letting the lender pull your credit history to learn more about you as a borrower. A preapproval means the lender is stating confidence in lending you a certain amount of money to purchase a home, pending any issues with the house itself or unforeseen circumstances with your finances.

While the differences between preapproval and prequalification are merely a matter of reporting financial information versus providing documentation for it, a preapproval letter can be far more powerful when it comes time to place an offer on a home. That's because with preapproval, the seller has proof of your lender's confidence in you as a borrower. While prequalification makes it easier to shop for a home you can more realistically afford, preapproval gives you the strength to negotiate a purchase price, Pataky says.

Brian Simmons, founder and CEO of Ask a Lender, an online platform to help consumers shop lenders and loans and get financial advice, echoes the preference for preapproval: “One of the first things a buyer should do when they begin looking at homes is getting preapproved for a mortgage.”

If your local housing market is seeing frequent bidding wars and multiple offers on houses, a preapproval could help keep you from being overlooked by sellers who have many options to choose from when it comes to sale terms and price. Still, there are times when prequalification may be your best option to begin house hunting. 

Here are five things to keep in mind as you decide whether prequalification or preapproval is the best move for you.

To shop lenders, prequalify. You may not have decided on the lender you’d like to work with yet, and shopping around by inquiring with three lenders or so is always recommended. Rather than just talking to a loan officer about available programs, you can use the prequalification process to gauge how much a lender would be able to lend to you. Of course, don’t base your choice of lender solely on the maximum price you prequalify for. Also consider what terms, rates and other details will best suit you in the long run.

Don’t get preapproved by too many lenders. Preapproval includes a full review of your financial background, including your credit history. As a result, that inquiry is noted in your credit report and can negatively impact your credit score if you have too many recent checks into your credit history.

“It doesn’t necessarily reflect well on you,” Pataky says. If you’re unsure which lender you want to work with, ask more questions and consider trying out prequalification first, then apply for preapproval once you’ve made your decision.

Neither guarantees a rate lock. The interest rate on your mortgage may be a deciding factor in whether you can afford a certain house. But your ability to secure a desirable interest rate through a rate lock, which guarantees your rate will not increase over a set time period – typically between 30 and 90 days – often only happens when you’ve found the house you want to buy.

Rate locks vary based on lender practices, but prequalification rarely offers a rate lock, and preapproval often doesn’t include a rate lock until you’ve identified the house you wish to purchase – or even until the seller has accepted your offer. 

Ask your lender what’s required to ensure a rate lock and how long that rate lock lasts. In many cases, the lock is limited to 30 days, which is just enough time to get through the contract period on a house.

Preapproval still isn’t a done deal. Even if your lender is impressed by your salary and pristine history of paying off debt, no preapproval is a guarantee that a mortgage will be approved once you’ve found the house you want. There are still other factors at play, the first of which focuses on whether your financial situation has changed.

“The factors by which you were preapproved have to be maintained,” Pataky says. That means not quitting your job, not buying a Maserati to keep up with the Joneses in your new neighborhood and not opening up five credit cards in the last two weeks, he explains.

Another factor standing between you and mortgage approval is the house’s condition and appraised value. Even if you’re preapproved to buy a house for $400,000 and agree to that same price with the seller, if the house appraised for only $375,000, your lender will likely only approve you for a mortgage on the house at $375,000. You’re then tasked with trying to renegotiate on price with the seller, coming up with the extra cash on your own or starting your search for a home all over again.

Keep asking your lender questions. Even if you’ve bought a home with a mortgage before, it’s likely been at least a few years, and the process will feel different. At every step of the way, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your lender about expectations, timing and documents you should have ready to help streamline the process as much as possible.

“During the preapproval process, the buyer will need to provide some of the documentation their loan officer will use when it’s time to underwrite the loan,” Simmons says. “This is a good opportunity to ask the lender questions about the process and get a checklist of documents the lender will need, such as pay stubs, bank statements and tax documents.”

Have an awesome week!

THIS WEEK'S HOT HOME LISTING!

6997 GLACIER DR

Price: $359,900    Beds: 4    Baths: 2.5    Sq Ft: 2406

Completely remodeled! Fresh interior & exterior paint. All new carpet, vinyl wood floors, LED lights w/ Decora switches, heat pump, furnace, hot water heater. Large lower level bonus space (not included in SF) w/ lots of potential; could make a grea...View this property >> 

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!