First Time Home Buyers? Know Your Home Loan Options

Having your own home gives you a sense of pride, freedom, achievement and security, but deciding and buying it is for the first time is one of the biggest steps one can take in life and for many it is also a biggest investment decision ever. So if you have decided to buy a home make sure everything is done wisely and the first step is deciding what the type of home, size of residence, location, and surrounding in which you would like to live.

Besides, the most important factor that comes into picture is arranging finances for buying a home. You can pay the cost in one go if you have big pocket, however if not then you can choose any of the below listed loans. A little homework about the types of home loan options available to you can help you make an informed decision without wasting much of your time and energy. This brief read gives you a basic idea about the types of home loans available for buyers.

Types of Home Loans Available in the U.S.

Arranging finances for home requires special attention as it is not every year that you plan to buy a new home. Here are some common types of homes loans and their key benefits available in the market:

Conventional Loans

Conventional loans are types of mortgage loans offered by private lenders, some of the types their key benefits are listed below:

Fixed Rate Loans and Mortgages

Conventional fixed-rate mortgages as the name suggests have fixed rate for at least some period, which makes it easy for buyers to predict the timeframe in which they can pay off the loan. This loan is worth considering for buyers who plan to stay in the home for longer duration. Also buyers who have good credit history.

Jumbo Mortgages

Jumbo loan is beneficial for virtually every borrower irrespective of their good or poor credit card history. Moreover, the borrowers are allowed to take more debt as opposed to normal loan limits. This kind of loan is worth considering for buyers who know that they will be moving out of the home in a couple of years.

FHA

An FHA mortgage loan is guaranteed by the United States Federal Housing Administration. Only a Federal Housing Administration approved lender can lend the loan. FHA loans are framed to enable borrowers with less income buy home, if they are unable to secure any other financing options.

VA loans

VA loans are especially for Veterans of American Armed Services framed by the United Department of Veterans Affairs and only an authorized lender can lend VA loans. The goal of the loan is to help veterans and their spouses to obtain long-term financing. In case veterans are not able to get private financing, the program helps them to buy home without having to pay any down payment.

A few Parting Words

Although there are multiple financing options for borrowers, unfortunately many find it difficult to find the right type of loan. Some borrowers make wrong choices and lose their savings paying off the loan, some have already lost their home waiting for mortgage approval. If you don’t want any of these circumstances in your life, it will be a good idea to consult first time home buyers Loan Experts in your area.

Things you need to know about FHA loans

June brought some good news for the real estate sector in Texas. The sales of pre-owned homes in North Texas had seen the biggest year-over-year gain in 2014. In June of 2014, 9,481 houses were sold in this state, which were the largest single monthly sales ever recorded. Such a thriving housing market is creating a lack of inventory. Hence, home buyers may have to shell out more money to get their desired home due to the increase in property prices. As the market is full of new buyers who want to take advantage of this optimistic trend, the mortgage market is also witnessing a lot of activities. For these buyers, there is a wide variety of home mortgage options available. One of the most popular mortgage options for the first home buyers is an FHA loan.

The Federal Housing Administration or FHA loan program has specifically been designed for home buyers with low to moderate income. This loan is more lenient in terms of eligibility criteria such as credit score, borrowers’ income and outstanding debt. This program also allows a down payment of 3.5 percent, which seems generous considering the larger down payment requirement for conventional mortgages. In those mortgages, customers are expected to pay a significant amount of an upfront fee in addition to the monthly premium, which poses challenges to many borrowers.

FHA loans provide relief to home buyers who do not meet the typical eligibility criteria for traditional mortgages. With such benefits of this mortgage program, even the home mortgage lenders in Texas are ready to provide financing to buy a property.

Here are some of the features of an FHA loan:
Easier to get: In earlier times going for a home loan caused home buyers to go through confusion and taxing paperwork. However, things have changed now, and with a more streamlined application process and underwriting, mortgages get approved with quick turnaround time.

Limits of the loan: There is no specific maximum limit for an FHA loan. Instead, it is set according to different states, and it is based on the specific market condition.

Credit Score: FHA loans work in a different way than a traditional loan works when it comes to credit score requirements. There is no minimum requirement for the loan, and a homebuyer can still be eligible even if he has faced bankruptcy.

Available for all income groups: Though FHA loans are mainly sought by lower and medium income groups, there is no such restriction. If borrowers can prove their ability to pay, they can apply for this loan even if they belong to the high income bracket.

Mortgage processes can be complex and buyers better seek assistance from mortgage experts. They may need the services of a reputed home mortgage company to know more about FHA loans or any other suitable loan option. Such a company not only makes your work easier by finding the best mortgage option for you, it also provides assistance for a hassle-free loan application process.