Peter Boyle asked:




USDA Home Loan Program offers more credit flexibility in this concerned housing and lending market than traditional lenders do. It also provides low fixed monthly mortgage payments to help low-moderate income households.

For those that have a desire to live right outside city limits you should check this program out. You can get 100% financing and no down payment within eligible property areas. You will be surprised how many semi-rural properties fall within the programs eligibility.

A large percentage of our country ‘s greatest obstacle to home ownership is the lack in funds for down payment. USDA provides a solution not many know about. It overcomes down payment issues for an individual or family by loaning up to 100% of the appraised value of the property. This eliminates the down payment requirement.

The USDA Guaranteed Home Loan program helps low-to-moderate income individuals and families purchase homes. The approval process is fairly easy and fast, and the funds for the program are basically unlimited. Best of all, this loan requires no monthly mortgage insurance, only a 2% up front fee and that can be financed in the loan.

The program offers a 30 year fixed rate mortgage and no prepayment penalty. Under the Guaranteed Loan program, it guarantees loans made by private sector lenders. If the borrower defaults the USDA guarantee pays the lender. Borrowers work with the lender and make their monthly mortgage payments to the lender, not the USDA. Borrowers must have a two-year primary employment history and the dependable income must not exceed the moderate-income limit guidelines for the eligible property area.

This program offers more lenient qualifying guidelines than traditional mortgages. No minimum credit scores or previous housing history is required. Non-traditional credit is acceptable if no credit is available.

The loans can be used on new construction, existing homes, and homes in need of improvements. The rates are very low and repairs to a home may be financed 100%. The repair work on the home must be done by a licensed contractor.

There is also help for funds to close. All closing costs and prepaids can be financed by the seller, and 100% gifting is available to borrowers. There are no minimum cash contributions from the borrower.

If you have not owned a home in the past three years you can use the USDA home loan and the HR3221 bill to get into a home with no out of pocket money and take up to $7500 off your tax liability.

The tax credit must be paid back over a 15yr period at $500 a month interest free starting the following year. Speak to your local lender about the Housing Rescue Plan and HR3221.

What does this mean to renters? Based on today’s USDA housing loan rates and average rental costs, people can buy a $175,000 home for basically the same costs they pay in rent. For a personal rent versus own analysis contact a local mortgage consultant. If you have a property you have selected you can verify the USDA program eligibility using the following link or just click to gain further knowledge.

Frances

Kristin Abouelata – Home Loans asked:


Think about why this is true. A good appraisal is the best reassurance that the lender won’t lose its pants on the transaction. If the borrower defaults, the lender still has a marketable property that can be sold to recoup its losses. All of which makes it understandable why lenders are so picky about appraisals. And with recent changes in the industry, the focus by lenders to obtain good appraisals is at the forefront.

Appraisals typically cost anywhere from $350 to $400. However, if the house is gigantic, multi-unit or in the boondocks, it could run more. The cost varies on property type, location and square footage.

The most common type of appraisal is the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). It consists of interior and exterior photos and sometimes (depending on the age of the home), a complete cost breakdown of the property and comps (comparison sales of homes nearby that meet the proper criteria). These comps help determine the “market” approach. Each comp sale is adjusted in value when stacked against the home being evaluated (the one you’re buying or refinancing). Usually you will see a comp below the value of your home, in line with the value of your home, and a third above the value of your home. Kind of like the three bears. But if the valuation gets tricky, you can see fourth, fifth and sixth comps. The net value of the comps is estimated based upon the approaches used to come up with the appraised value of your property (meaning the appraiser performs some type of calculation that’s kind of like an average, but not necessarily a true average. Confused yet?)

URARs also, typically but not always, reflect a cost approach, which determines what the value would be based upon what is estimated it would cost to rebuild the home, less depreciation. The final estimated value of the home is then determined by using a melding of the market approach described above and cost approach (if applicable).

Lori Babb, Staff Appraiser for Mortgage Investors Group of Knoxville, TN, further explains comparables. “The best comparables are those similar in size, style (ranch, basement rancher, 2 story, etc.), age, and are close in proximity to the dwelling being appraised,” she explains. “Unique properties will typically require more adjustments than the average properties.”

So, say you’re Bill Gates and want to secure a mortgage on a $200,000 home (I know, it’s ridiculous, but I’m trying to make a point). He’s got the best credit profile a lender could imagine, yet the house appraises for $175,000. Deal or no deal? You better believe it’s no deal. The sales price will have to be lowered, or Mr. Gates will just have to pay cash for his new home (you think he can afford it?). The point is, your average Joe won’t go ahead with the deal without a price adjustment, and he will be obligated to pay for the appraisal regardless of the outcome of value.

Dan Tyrell, principal of Knoxville area’s Tyrell Appraisal Service, Inc., has this comment about value, “When determining value of a single family house, beauty is more than ‘skin deep’. Fresh paint, new carpet, new appliances, and nice landscaping all enhance the marketability of a house. Not so obvious items also impact the appraised value of a house. For instance older houses that have replaced plumbing/electrical systems, updated HVAC systems, newer roofs, replacement windows, etc. lower the effective age of the property which in turn increases the appraised value.”

There are other types of appraisals that are not as common, like an Automated Valuation Model (or AVM). In this case, different factors combine to ensure the value of the home (it’s worth $200K, but your loan amount is only $100K) and your unbelievable credit worthiness (800 credit score!), allowing you to skip purchasing a typical appraisal. You may also only be required to get a “drive by” appraisal, where the appraiser just inspects the exterior of the subject for size, looks at the lot and makes you wonder who that person standing by your mailbox is.

Most lenders control what appraiser is used to determine the value of your home. After all, it’s their money on the line. The appraisal is such an important factor to the mortgage transaction – make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Your lender will make sure it is satisfied!



MAXWELL