Why the Lowest Mortgage Rate Could Cost You Thousands

Why the Lowest Mortgage Rate Could Cost You Thousands

As a loan officer, many borrowers tell me they want the lowest possible interest rate. I listen carefully, and then I begin to ask questions.  Experience has shown me that the lowest possible interest rate could actually end up costing borrowers thousands of dollars!

INTERNET RATES

JSRealty4U Mortgage Lowest Rate Real EstateMany borrowers will scour the internet for the lowest possible mortgage rates. Low rates will indeed pop up, but most often they won’t apply to most borrowers. The rates may assume a very high credit score, a large down payment, or even the cost of paying discount points to get the advertised rates. Many of the low rates that are advertised are also coming from mortgage brokers. Typically, mortgage brokers are third parties that have relationships with multiple investors. This means they can “shop around” for the lowest rates when it is time to lock in. Because the broker is a third party, they don’t control the processing and underwriting aspects of the loan. If something unusual is found during the loan process, many times the issue is not communicated immediately and causes loans to close late. Once a sale is postponed due to loan issues, the buyer can face the possibility of losing their earnest money deposit and can be sued for damages by the seller. This is why lower rates aren’t always the best way to go for a borrower.

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE

JSRealty4U variable mortgage rates lowestGenerally, an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) will offer lower rates than a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with the shortest term on the ARM offering the lowest rate. For example, a 5/1 ARM may have a rate of 3.375% while a 30 year fixed loan may be at 3.75%. The monthly payment for the ARM will be less than the 30 year fixed rate for the first 5 years. After five years, the rate will adjust based on the then current market. Since rates today are close to the lowest ever, it is likely that in five years the interest rate will soar – causing the monthly payment to skyrocket!

FHA LOANS

JSRealty4U lender man mortgage assumption lowest rateFHA loans also offer lower rates than a conventional loan. Currently, a conforming FHA loan may offer a rate of 3.375% with the corresponding conventional loan offering the same 3.75% as in the previous example. The difference is the FHA loan adds an additional 1.75% to the loan amount in what is referred to as an “Upfront Mortgage Insurance” premium. The FHA loan also has a monthly mortgage insurance premium that remains on the loan for as long as you own it. The rate for this monthly mortgage insurance payment is most often much higher than a corresponding monthly mortgage payment on a conventional loan. The result: a higher monthly payment on a loan with a lower interest rate.

MORTGAGE INSURANCE

JSRealty4U paper deposit real estate lowest mortgageAnother thing to factor in is Mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance comes into play when a purchaser is putting less than 20% down on their desired home. There are a couple of ways in which the mortgage insurance can be paid. One way is to make monthly mortgage insurance payments. If making the minimum payment required each month by the lender, these mortgage insurance payments continue until the loan-to-value reaches 78%. In the case of a beginning loan-to-value of 95%, these payments may take as much as 9 years before reaching the 78% threshold where the payments stop.  The second method of dealing with mortgage insurance is to have the lender pay for the mortgage insurance premium. This results in a higher interest rate – but no mortgage insurance payment. The overall monthly payment will be lower on this option even though the rate may be up to .5% higher. Paying even $25 more each month for 9 years will cost the borrower $2,700!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

JSRealty4U mortgage rate lowestIt is always important to let a lender help you determine the best possible loan solution. Some of the most important factors for the loan officer to know are:

  • Monthly Income
  • Monthly debt
  • Credit score
  • Credit history
  • Cash available for down payments and closing costs
  • Length of time you expect to own the loan

With this information, your loan officer should be able to provide multiple loan options. In addition, they should provide explanations as to why one would be preferred over another. And more often than not the loan with the higher interest rate becomes the best long term solution!

Thinking about buying or refinancing a home? Make sure you speak to a lender first! You can reach Keith Harris, Senior Loan Officer at Intercoastal Mortgage Company online or by calling 703.259.0788.

Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company
NMLS ID # 838973
Company NMLS ID # 56323
(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Intercoastal Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender.

House Hunting – Why a Lender Should Be Your First Call

Top 6 Reasons to Contact a Lender BEFORE House Hunting

Searching for a new home can be an exciting time. The right location, the right neighborhood, the right features – these are all at the top of a potential homeowners list. But the last thing you want is to find your dream home and then discover it’s well out of your price range. So we asked our Lender buddy Keith Harris to break down why it’s so important to speak to a Lender (and get pre-approvedbefore you start house hunting.

Know Your Price Range

JS Realty Refinance Monney Calculator Bills House HuntingYou can get an idea of what you can afford based on monthly income and monthly debt. Most loans have a maximum debt-to-income ratio for qualification purposes. The mortgage industry uses a borrower’s GROSS monthly income as a basis for this ratio. Most borrowers don’t know their monthly debts and usually think it is higher than what the industry may calculate. For example, if a borrower has 3 credit cards with a total outstanding balance of $900, what is their monthly debt? Many consumers might think their monthly debt is $900. In reality, it would be the total of the monthly minimum payment for all three cards and could be as little as $25 per card – or $75.

Know Your Credit Issues

JS Realty credit score house huntingOnce a credit report is run, a number of potential issues may surface. You may have a score that is preventing you from qualifying for certain loans due to a creditor reporting inaccurate information on your credit report. You may have a high balance on a credit card that is impacting your credit score. If you need time to remedy these issues, you can address them early on so that a purchase settlement is not delayed.

Loan Programs

Lender loan jsrealty4uThere are potentially many loan programs available to you as a borrower. A sample list may include Conventional, High-Balance, VA, FHA, VHDA, USDA, Jumbo, primary residence, investment properties, etc. Some of these require little or no money down, whereas some may require a minimum down payment of 20% or more. It is not fair to assume that your Realtor will know all of the requirements for loan qualification. Perhaps you had a short sale 3 years ago – if that’s the case, you may only qualify for an FHA loan based on that information.

Have a Competitive Edge

JS Realty approved credit house huntingYou may have a competitive advantage over other buyers if there are multiple offers on a property. If you have filled out a loan application and your lender has run your credit report, you can obtain a conditional loan approval letter from your lender. If you are interested in a sought after property, you may be able to submit an offer with a closing date weeks earlier than if you had not spoken to a lender. The approval letter can also be strong enough to convince the seller that your offer is the best and safest of all the competing offers.

Be More Efficient

Your lender can tell you all of the information that may be needed to process and approve your loan. You can begin gathering this information ahead of time so that the loan process can be as efficient as possible.

Less Stress!

jsrealty4u loans lender house huntingIf you need to liquidate funds for closing, obtain a gift from a family member or provide documentation that is not readily available, you can be made aware of these needs well in advance. We all have enough stress in our daily lives to not have to have added pressure of trying to get qualified for a loan in a short period of time.

If you’re thinking about house hunting and would like to know more about prequalifying for a loan, contact Keith Harris  at 703-259-0788 or apply online here.

Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company
NMLS ID # 838973
Company NMLS ID # 56323
(www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Intercoastal Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender.

Documents Needed for a Mortgage

What documents are needed for a mortgage loan approval?

Years ago there was actually a no documents loan process for certain types of loans. Those are not applicable in today’s world of mortgage lending. Today we’re providing you with a list of documents that are needed for final loan approval. Some documents are required whether the loan is for a purchase or a refinance; others are pertinent to a specific type of loan.JS Realty documents sign pen woman

Documents needed for either a purchase or refinance are as follows:

  1. Most recent pay stubs, showing a 30-day period
  2. Past two years W-2 forms and/or 1099’s (if self-employed)
  3. Signed Federal Personal Tax Returns for past two years
  4. Signed Federal Business Tax returns if applicable
  5. Asset statements for a 2 month period, or most recent quarterly statement. This should include any and all of the following and must include ALL pages.
    • Checking
    • Savings
    • Stocks
    • Bonds
    • Mutual funds
    • Money Market
    • 401 K’s
    • IRA’s
  6. If the property is or will be held in a Trust, provide Trust documentation
  7. For Investment properties:
    • Lease agreement for rental properties
    • Mortgage statement
    • Property tax bill
    • Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
    • HOA or Condo fees, if applicable
  8. Hazard Insurance (homeowner’s insurance) Policy
  9. Complete Divorce/Separation Agreement /Property Settlement agreements, if applicable
  10. School Transcripts and Diploma if you are a recent graduate
  11. Contact name and phone number for Verification of Employment

For VA loans, the following is required:

  1. VA Certificate of Eligibility
  2. Original statement of service or DD-214

For Purchases only, we need the following:

  1. Ratified Sales contract
  2. Copy of Earnest Money Deposit AND bank statement showing the check has cleared your account
  3. Name, address and phone number of landlords for past 2 years if currently renting
  4. Sales Contract for existing home if selling and vacating to purchase new home
  5. Settlement Statement from the sale of current residence if vacating to purchase new home

For Refinances only

  1. Copy of most recent mortgage statement
  2. Copy of Owner’s Title Policy or settlement statement indicating that you have owner’s title insurance
  3. Copy of existing Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Whether you’re purchasing or refinancing a property, you can download a copy of this List of Documents to help aid in your search for a loan. This list will be helpful to both you and your Lender as you work through the processing of your loan.

Mortgage Loan ABC’s

Understanding the most common types of mortgage loans available today

There are many choices when it comes to the types of mortgage loans you can apply for when buying a home. Each one comes with it’s own set of options, qualifications, and rules. But it’s important to understand the most common types of loans at their most basic level. Especially once your Lender starts talking about rates, points and qualifying ratios! So here are your options. It’s as simple as A, B, C, and F (hey, nothing is perfect).

So, what is a mortgage? By definition, a mortgage is a legal document that promises property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.jsrealty4u mortgage loan propertyA: Adjustable-Rate (ARM)
JS Realty variable mortgage ratesThis is a mortgage in which the interest rate floats up or down according to a specified index. The interest rate is “adjusted” at certain time intervals (such as six months or one year), usually having a “cap rate” or maximum rate of change per adjustment interval (such as 1%, or 4%). Terms such as “one year ARM” generally identify the adjustment interval (interest rate adjusted after one year).

B: Balloon
jsrealty4u mortgage loans balloonThis is a unique type of loan, as it is rather short. You make a monthly payment for 5 – 7 years, based on a term of 30 years. There’s often a low interest rate, and it can be easier to qualify for this versus a traditional 30-year-fixed. A balloon mortgage can be an excellent option for many home buyers. There is, however, a risk to consider. At the end of your 5-7 year loan term you will need to pay off the outstanding balance. This usually requires you to either refinance, sell your home, or convert the balloon mortgage to a traditional mortgage at the current interest rate.

C: Conventional
JS Realty Loan mortgageThese loans are neither insured nor guaranteed by the government. As such, conventional loans represent a greater risk to lenders than government backed loans. Conventional loans can start with as low as 5% down, but if you can put at least  a 20% down payment (80% LTV) you can avoid paying private mortgage insurance.

F: FHA
Federal Housing Administration loans are available to all types of borrowers, not just first-time buyers. You can read more about the differences between a conventional loan and an FHA loan in one of our previous blogs.

JS Realty Lock Interest Rate mortgageF: Fixed Rate
The most common type of home loan is the fixed-rate mortgage. The interest rate remains the same for the life of the loan, so the principal and interest remain the same, too. This is one of the best reasons to buy vs rent, as rents rise over time where as most mortgages stay constant for the life of the loan.

If you’re interested in learning more, or would like to apply for a loan, contact our preferred lender, Keith Harris.

Choosing a Lender: Local VS Online

When it comes to finding a lender for a mortgage loan, many borrowers take the same approach as with most other needs – they resort to the internet. This approach can be very fruitful, but it can also have some pitfalls. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the advantages of working with on-line lenders as well as advantages of working with local lenders.

Often times an on-line search for mortgages will result in finding mortgage brokers that are advertising very competitive rates. While getting the lowest interest rate is a goal for most borrowers, it may come with some unforeseen costs. Mortgage brokers usually have access to multiple investors so that they can “shop around” for low rates when it is time to lock in a loan for their borrowers. Generally speaking, the more investors they have access to, the better chances of getting a very competitive rate.

ONLINE LENDERS
lender computer research jsrealty4uSo why not go on-line to find a mortgage broker that can offer a low interest rate? Because the rate is only part of the equation. Is the broker charging discount points to be able to offer such a good rate? If there are points involved, the lower rate could results in a worse financial scenario for the borrower.

Most mortgage brokers do not participate in the processing or underwriting of the loan. The mortgage broker is just a “middle man” that is paid to link a borrower with an investor and is left out of the most critical part of the loan approval process. They often gather the information from the loan application, along with supporting documentation, and then send it off to the investor so that they can process and underwrite the loan. Many times, the loan will have some “issues” that require additional documentation or explanations from the borrower. In some cases, the broker is not aware of any issues with the loan. Even worse, if they are aware of the issues, they have no control as to how the issues can be corrected or how long it may take to get the problem resolved.

Another important aspect of any loan is the appraised value of the property that is being used as collateral. If your mortgage broker is from a different part of the country, how do you know that they are using appraisers that have a keen understanding of the nuances of property values in the DC Metropolitan area? Just in Northern Virginia alone, property values for similar type homes can vary greatly by zip code, school district, and city. It is important that the appraisers understand these differences when compiling an appraisal report.

LOCAL LENDERS
lender business people interview sell homeSometimes it is important to be able to have a face-to-face meeting between the lender and the borrower. Many borrowers would prefer to hand deliver valuable and sensitive personal financial information versus sending it via email or some other electronic format. In addition, it is also comforting for some borrowers to be able to shake hands with the people that will be making the determination of whether a loan of hundreds of thousands of dollars will be approved.

There are mortgage programs that are specific to a general area or state. Recently, VHDA was offering to pay 3% of a sales price to qualified borrowers purchasing a home in Virginia. The benefit to borrowers qualifying for this program could be as much as $15,000! Having knowledge of these types of programs is essential when determining the best loan solution for borrowers. It is unreasonable to expect a mortgage broker from another part of the country to know about specific programs in your area.

OUR PREFERRED LENDER
JS Realty Intercoastal MortgageIntercoastal Mortgage Company is a local lender with headquarters located in Fairfax, VA and has been providing residential loan solutions for the DC Metro area since 1987. Intercoastal Mortgage Company will fund loans that have been processed and underwritten “in house” at our Fairfax, VA location. Similar to mortgage brokers, Intercoastal Mortgage Company (ICM) has access to multiple investors which allow us to look at various outlets when locking in a rate for a borrower. If the borrower has good credit and income, it may be as simple as seeing which investor has the lowest rate at time of the loan lock. If the borrower has experienced credit challenges, a short sale or foreclosure, ICM has access to investors that will service loans of this type. Perhaps there are programs such as the VHDA grant program that can save thousands of dollars for the borrower. We work very hard to keep updated on all local loan programs.

Because the processing and underwriting is completed “in house”, ICM is able to meet closing dates that many mortgage brokers are unable to meet.

The appraisal process is completed by having access to multiple “local” appraisers that know the DC area very well. The “pool” of certified appraisers that ICM uses have all shown their knowledge of the local area for an extended period of time.

The chart below sums up the advantages of working with a local lender versus an online lender.

Lenders

As you can see, a local lender can access multiple investors to offer very competitive rates, along with excellent service and timeliness that is extremely important in today’s lending environment.

 

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973


Keith Harris
Senior Loan Officer
Office: 703-259-0788
keithh@icmtg.com

 

 

 

DO I NEED A DOWN PAYMENT?

Being a homeowner has lots of perks – you get a nice tax deduction, you are building equity in your home, and hey – you can paint the walls whatever color suits your taste!

There’s quite a lot of data to be found about loans, interest rates, and insurance costs. And it’s pretty easy to find out what a home will cost in the area you’d like to purchase in. But there’s not a lot of information on how much money you will need to pay “out of pocket” in order to actually buy a house. Everyone’s circumstances are different and you may have thousands of dollars saved up – or maybe just a few hundred.JS Realty No down payment Blackboard with 3d house

Typically, a borrower (that’s mortgage lingo for “person who applied for a loan”), will have to make a payment at closing which consists of a down payment and closing costs. There are instances where this amount can be zero – or very close to it! Let’s look at some cases where this would be true.

JS Realty House, Veteran, Military.The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) guarantees VA loans and are available for eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses (provided they do not remarry). VA loans can provide 100% financing and will even allow the VA funding fee to be added to the loan amount. This takes care of the need for a down payment. Closing costs can be covered by seller credits, lender credits or realtor credits which can result in a closing where no money is needed on the buyer’s part. VA loans don’t have the need to pay mortgage insurance.

JS Realty Mortgage application form with a calculator and house.Another scenario where a buyer can escape the need for a down payment is a loan from the Federal Housing Administration, known as an FHA Plus loan. Most FHA loans require a down payment of 3.5%. With the FHA Plus loan, there is a first mortgage based on 96.5% of the sales price and a second mortgage of 3.5% to 5% of the sales price. Again, if third party credits are available to pay the closing costs, no money is needed at closing. Unlike the VA loans, FHA loan have both upfront mortgage insurance premiums as well as monthly mortgage insurance payments.

JS Realty Farmhouse in a pastoral environmentA third loan option that has no down payment is a USDA loan. USDA loans are designed for lower-income borrowers and there are geographical restrictions regarding the purchased properties. The home purchased must be a primary residence and in a rural area that with a general population limit of 20,000 or less.

JS Realty Refinance Monney Calculator BillsConventional, conforming loans of $417,000 or less can be obtained for as little as a 3% down payment. Keep in mind that with a loan that has a loan-to-value of 97%, the cost of mortgage insurance will be higher on both single premium mortgage insurance as well as with monthly mortgage insurance when compared to loans with a down payment of 5% or more.

With conventional loans, mortgage insurance will be needed with any single mortgage loans with less than a 20% down payment.

Every borrower has unique loan scenarios based on credit scores, cash available for down payments and closing costs, eligibility for various loan types, etc. As a loan officer, I take great pride in fully understanding the specific needs of borrowers to allow me to offer the best possible mortgage loan solution. Please contact me for further information or assistance!

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

Keith Harris
Senior Loan Officer
Intercoastal Mortgage Company
Direct: (703) 259-0788
NMLS ID # 838973


 

WHEN TO CALL A LENDER

When should I call a lender in the Buying process?

jsrealty4u business lender menContacting a lender to get pre-approved for a loan should be the first action item for anyone that is interested in buying a home. The pre-approval process will typically begin with a phone conversation or a face-to-face meeting between the borrower and the loan officer. The prospective borrower will need to fill out a loan application and give the loan officer permission to run a credit report.

Why are these steps important?

The initial conversation will allow the loan officer to get valuable information such as:

-The number of people on the loan
-Will there be a non-occupant co-borrower
Meeting Realtor Contracts-Permission to run a credit report
-How much cash the borrower has for closing costs and a down payment
-Time-frame for purchasing a home
-Is the borrower self-employed?
-Is the borrower paid by salary, commission, overtime etc?

The loan application provides a great deal of information as well such as:

JS Realty Mortgage Loan Application-Does the borrower own any properties currently
-Employment information
-How long the borrower has been employed at current job
-Monthly income
-Assets such as checking accounts, savings accounts and retirement accounts
-Past credit issues: bankruptcy, foreclosures, short-sales etc.

The credit report provides additional information that is valuable in the pre-approval stage.

JS Realty credit score variableCredit score which will determine the type of loans available
-Score also determines interest rates that the borrower qualifies for
-Amount of monthly debts that need to be factored into the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio
-Are there any collection accounts that need attention prior to final loan approval
-If scores are low, many times a loan officer can offer help in raising the borrower’s credit scores

jsrealty4u js realty stampAfter gathering information from the initial conversation, loan application and credit report, the lender may need additional documentation in order to provide a pre-approval letter. Once this information is received and reviewed, a lender should be able to let a borrower know the amount of a monthly housing expense payment they would qualify for. A pre-approval letter is a written commitment by a lender to provide a mortgage loan to a borrower. With a pre-approval letter in hand, potential buyers are able to look for properties in their price range with a high degree of confidence that they can purchase a home that fits their needs.

JSRealty4U new homeIf you are curious about how the process works, check out our previous blog on the entire Loan Process or download our Loan Process Flyer.

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

If you have any questions about a loan, or would like clarification on any of the information we have provided thus far, please contact our preferred Lender, Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

 

 


JS Realty Free Analysis Contact Us

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is a very important part of home ownership. The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties guides our clients through the entire home buying process, but there are 2 items that the Buyer must handle themselves: obtaining their loan and purchasing homeowners insurance.

Homeowners insurance will be required by your Lender if you have a mortgage on your home, and they will require a minimum level of coverage to protect their interest in the property.

Homeowners Insurance is actually comprised of two different types of protection: hazard and liability coverage.

JS Realty House Fire Attic RoofHAZARD INSURANCE
This protects you should any damage and/or destruction happen to your home and contents. It will cover fire, theft, and certain natural disasters. If you live in a flood zone or in an area that could potentially have earthquakes you will need to purchase additional coverage to include these natural disasters.

LIABILITY COVERAGE
If someone gets injured on your property, the liability coverage is in place to protect you from medical costs and possible lawsuits.

There are also several factors to consider when choosing your insurance:

COVERAGE MINIMUM – Depending on how you feel about insurance, the minimum level that your Lender requires might not provide you with enough peace of mind. Although you may want to keep your homeowners insurance cost down, you also want to make certain you have all the coverage you need.

JS Realty Insurance Policy DocumentWHAT IS INCLUDED – Be very clear about what is covered and more importantly what is NOT covered. You don’t want to lose something and later find out it wasn’t included in the policy.

DEDUCTIBLES – Most policies come with a $500 or $1,000 deductible, but speak with your insurance agent to see what works best for you – and your budget!

PERSONAL PROPERTY – Be sure you know exactly what personal property is covered. You’ll also need to determine whether you want replacement value or depreciated loss value. You should also review the value of your possessions yearly. You don’t want to spend money for coverage you don’t need if the value of certain items has decreased.

JS Realty Home Office WorkingBUSINESS NEEDS – Do you have a home office? There are both property and liability business exposures that most standard homeowner policies don’t address, as well as low levels of coverage. The typical policy appears to be around $2,500 for in-home office equipment. And while that may sound like enough, by the time you add the costs of your computer, software, tablet, printer, scanner, phone, furniture, etc., it could very well exceed that amount. You’ll need to find coverage that can include all of your home office equipment and supplies.

Remember, your home is usually your largest investment. This is not the time to save a few dollars and possibly expose your family to hardships if the unthinkable happens. Perform your due diligence, be comfortable knowing what your homeowners insurance covers, and ensure that you have enough protection in place.Happy Couple Keys Home JS Realty

Contact a JS Realty Team member to answer any questions about any facet of the home buying or selling process or if you need a referral for a reputable insurance agent.

JS Realty Free Analysis Contact Us

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

MORTGAGE LOAN FEES

What Fees are Associated with a Mortgage Loan?

There are a number of fees that a borrower may encounter when finalizing a mortgage loan for a real estate purchase or a refinance. We’ve compiled a list of fees that are part of the settlement for a JS Realty Mortgage application form with a calculator and house.mortgage loan. The fees can be separated into several categories: lender fees, escrow deposits, prepaid items, title fees, government recording and transfer fees, and additional settlement fees.

LENDER FEES

-Origination Charges – these are comprised of fees charge by the lender to process and underwrite the loan
-Discount Points – these are charges to the borrower for a particular loan interest rate or certain loan program
-Credit Report – fees charged to run a credit report for the borrower
Appraisal fee – cost to have a licensed professional provide a market value of the property
-Flood Certification Fee – this is needed to determine if your property is located in a flood zone and if flood insurance is needed on the property

PREPAID ITEMS

Daily Interest Charges – interest is paid from date of settlement through the end of the same calendar month
Homeowner’s Insurance – initial premium is paid upfront
Mortgage Insurance (if necessary)

INITIAL ESCROW DEPOSITS

Property Tax Fee JS RealtyMost loans require the borrower to pay for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance on a monthly basis as part of the mortgage loan payment. When property taxes are due (typically twice a year), and homeowner’s insurance (annually) the lender will pay the bills out of the escrow funds.

TITLE FEES

-Settlement fee – Charged by the settlement company for preparation of closing documents and conducting the closing.
-Lender’s title insurance – cost of insurance covering the amount of the loan. This is required by the lender and covers title issues for the life of the loan.
-Owner’s title insurance – OPTIONAL coverage for the owner’s to protect against any tile claims on the property. This policy will protect the owner’s forever.

GOVERNMENT RECORDING AND TRANSFER FEES

JS Realty Calculating Money Finance FeeGovernment Recording Fee – fee charged by government to record the deed of trust
Transfer Taxes – basically a sales tax that is paid to the local government as well as the state government

ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENT CHARGES

There can be several “additional” fees associated with a loan. Here are a few:

-Pest Inspection
-Survey
-HOA/Condo Transfer fees
-HOA/Condo dues

JS Realty Keith Harris
Keith Harris
NMLS # 838973

If you have any questions about a loan, or would like clarification on any of these charges or fees associated with mortgage loans, please contact our preferred Lender, Keith Harris at Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

 

 


JS Realty Free Analysis Contact Us

The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.

MEET OUR PREFERRED LENDER

The JS Realty Team is excited to introduce you to our preferred mortgage lender, Keith Harris!

JS Realty KHarris Lender
Keith Harris,               NMLS #838973

Keith is a Licensed Realtor and Associate Broker who has been in the real estate industry since 2003 and the mortgage industry since 2011.  Since then, Keith has closed over $250 million in real estate and mortgage transactions.  His previous experience as a Realtor is valuable to both real estate agents as well as the borrowers, and he views both as his clients. You can be sure that Keith is always looking to provide the best solution for the borrower. He is available to meet with clients when it’s most convenient for them – so if the typical work week makes it difficult to get together, Keith is available on weekday evenings and most weekends. Keith’s professionalism, integrity, and stellar work ethic goes above and beyond to ensure his clients get the best possible outcome.

For 10 years, Keith has coached youth sports and he takes a similar approach in coaching his clients to get to a “winning” solution!

JS Realty Intercoastal MortgageKeith Harris is a Lender at Intercoastal Mortgage Company. They are committed to spending the necessary time to understand your needs and tailor a loan best suited for you.

As a Full Service Residential Mortgage Lender, there’s no need for a “middle man”.  These are only a few reasons why Keith is our preferred Lender:

  • Direct Local Lender – not a broker
  • Extremely competitive rates
  • In-house Processing, Underwriting, and Closing
  • Uses only local Appraisers who know our market
  • Takes care of completing your loan application &  paperwork
  • Specialize in complex scenarios and First Time Homebuyers
  • Free, 1-time float down, once rate is locked (scenario specific)
  • Offers the following:
    • FHA, VA, Conventional FNMA & FHLMC, Jumbo and Super Jumbo, USDA, Construction Loans, Bridge Loans, No Money Down loans
  • Licensed in Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia

JS Realty Equal Housing LenderTo apply online, click here to fill out the loan application. There is no cost or obligation associated with obtaining a preapproval from Intercoastal Mortgage Company.

JS Realty Free home analysisThe JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.