Now might be the best time to lock in a low mortgage rate

Low interest rates have been gracing the real estate market with their presence for the past year but the word on the street is that they won’t be here much longer. While mortgage rates aren’t going to skyrocket out of sight, it is doubtful that they will decrease and certain that they will steadily begin to rise.

For those wishing to lock in at below 5%, the time just might be now or never (or at least for a very long time). This past week, the first week in January, the average 30 year fixed mortgage rate was 5.09%. The general sentiment among economists is that rates are not going anywhere but up from here.

The strengthening of the economy equals less chance for discounted rates. If you want to refinance or purchase real estate, now might be the best time to do so.

For more information on mortgage rates click here to look at a recent article from CNNMoney.com.

Finding a mortgage before looking for real estate is a smart idea

The first step in purchasing real estate should be getting a mortgage.  Getting a mortgage, or rather getting approved for a mortgage, lets a buyer know what he can expect to afford when looking at property.  It is important for a potential buyer to know how to secure a mortgage.

There are any places to look for a mortgage these days.  There are banks, mortgage brokers, finance companies, credit unions and private lenders.  Often experienced Realtors have mortgage brokers or banks that they work with often and using a lender that has a good reputation is often a safe bet.

When looking for a mortgage have a good idea how much you can afford to pay each month.  Look into the past, present and future to determine this.  It is of the utmost importance not to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to your finances and the affordability of a home that you might buy.

When applying for a loan a person must provide documentation of income, expenses, and assets.  Have your financial statements and tax returns ready and the process will be much easier.

Having a mortgage ready to go before finding a property will make the entire process smoother.  Financing is harder to get these days and being prepared is a wise step in the home buying process.

Like anything, it is good to know that the person you are going to work with has a track record of success. If you would like a list of successful lenders that I work with call me (Kevin Duffy  ReMax Unlimited) at 513-602-6000. When you are ready to search go to www.cincyhomelistings.com  this will get you the exact homes that you are looking for.

The rates are great! There is no time like the present

For more information on mortgages click here.

REO property is often a bargain for the real estate investor

What is REO property?  REO (real estate owned) is property which has been taken back  by the lender.  REO properties typically sell for less than comparable real estate listings as the lender usually wants to recoup the value of the loan which is traditionally less than the valueof the property.  The differences between REO property and foreclosure or short sale property are:

• REO has already been acquired by the lender typically after a failed foreclosure sale or foreclosure auction.
• The REO is owned by the bank (or lending institution) and is listed as an asset on their balance sheet.
• The original home owner is no longer in the picture and the property is for sale.

The downside of REO property is that an REO property is typically not well-maintained by the financial institution that owns it.  The positive side of an REO is that a real estate investor or buyer can often purchase the property at a distinctively lower price.

For more information on REO property click here.