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Understanding an Appraisal Contingency in Your Home Purchase

November 6, 2024 by Angel Leon

When buying a home, you have the option to include contingencies in your purchase contract. These protect you by setting certain conditions that must be met for the contract to remain valid. If any contingency isn’t satisfied, you can back out of the sale without penalty. Three main types of contingencies help protect buyers: appraisal, financing, and home inspection contingencies. Here’s how each can impact your home buying experience.

The Appraisal Contingency

An appraisal contingency allows you to step back from the sale if the property appraises for less than the agreed purchase price. Since lenders typically only loan up to the appraised value of the home, this contingency is essential to avoid overpaying. If the home appraisal is lower than expected, you can either renegotiate the price with the seller, make up the difference with a larger down payment, or back out of the sale without losing your deposit.

In competitive markets, leaving out this contingency can make you a more attractive buyer, but it’s a trade-off that could leave you paying above market value.

The Financing Contingency

If you’re relying on a mortgage, a financing contingency protects you if you’re unable to secure full loan approval. While pre-approval offers an estimate of what you can afford, the official loan approval depends on final underwriting. With this contingency in place, if your loan falls through, you can back out of the deal and recover your deposit.

The Home Inspection Contingency

This contingency gives you peace of mind by allowing you to have the home inspected for structural issues, hidden damage, or safety concerns. If any serious issues arise, you can negotiate repairs with the seller or even back out of the purchase. A professional home inspector can spot things the average buyer may miss, so this contingency is highly recommended for most homebuyers.

What Happens If the Appraisal is Too Low?

If the property’s appraised value is below the agreed price, you have three main options:

  1. Increase your down payment to cover the difference.
  2. Negotiate a lower purchase price with the seller.
  3. Use the appraisal contingency to walk away from the deal and get your deposit back.

An appraisal contingency can give you leverage in price negotiations, especially if the seller wants to avoid losing the sale. However, in a competitive market, waiving this contingency can make your offer more appealing, as it signals to the seller your commitment to the purchase regardless of appraisal.

Each contingency serves as a financial safeguard, providing flexibility and protection at different stages of the buying process. Including these contingencies in your offer ensures you’re not cornered into a deal that could end up costing you more than anticipated.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Appraisal Contingency, Home Buying 101, Mortgage Tips

Comprender los costos de cierre al comprar una casa

November 6, 2024 by Angel Leon Leave a Comment

Comprar una casa es un viaje emocionante, pero no está exento de giros y vueltas. Un aspecto desalentador específico para muchos compradores de vivienda es comprender el alcance de los costos de cierre. Estos gastos adicionales pueden tomar por sorpresa incluso a los compradores más preparados si no se los comprende adecuadamente. Entonces, analicemos el mundo de los costos de cierre y arrojemos algo de luz sobre qué esperar al comprar la casa de sus sueños.

Tarifas de tasación: antes de finalizar una hipoteca, los prestamistas generalmente exigen una tasación para garantizar que el valor de la propiedad coincida con el monto del préstamo. Los honorarios de tasación pueden variar según el tamaño y la ubicación de la propiedad, pero generalmente oscilan entre unos pocos cientos y miles de dólares. Es fundamental presupuestar este gasto, ya que es una parte no negociable del proceso de compra de una vivienda.

Seguro de título: proteger sus derechos de propiedad es primordial al comprar una casa. El seguro de título protege contra cualquier problema con el título de la propiedad, como gravámenes o disputas, que puedan surgir después de la compra. Si bien puede parecer un gasto adicional, la tranquilidad que brinda es invaluable. Los costos del seguro de título varían, pero normalmente ascienden a entre el 0,5% y el 1% del precio de compra de la vivienda.

Tarifas de inspección de viviendas: contratar a un inspector de viviendas calificado es esencial para descubrir cualquier problema potencial con la propiedad antes de cerrar el trato. Si bien no siempre es obligatoria, una inspección de la vivienda puede evitarle costosas sorpresas en el futuro. Las tarifas de inspección pueden oscilar entre $300 y $500 en promedio, dependiendo del tamaño y la complejidad de la casa.

Honorarios del agente de cierre: un agente de cierre, a menudo un abogado o un representante de la compañía de títulos, facilita el proceso de cierre y garantiza que todos los documentos necesarios se ejecuten correctamente. Sus honorarios cubren tareas administrativas, preparación de documentos y supervisión del proceso de cierre. Los honorarios del agente de cierre varían, pero normalmente ascienden a entre el 1% y el 2% del precio de compra de la vivienda.

Impuestos y seguros sobre la propiedad: Dependiendo de cuándo cierre su nueva casa, es posible que deba pagar por adelantado los impuestos sobre la propiedad y el seguro de propietarios para el próximo año. Estos gastos generalmente se prorratean según la fecha de cierre y pueden agregar una cantidad significativa a sus costos de cierre.

Tarifas de originación: Cobradas por el prestamista, las tarifas de originación cubren el costo de procesar su solicitud de hipoteca y garantizar el préstamo. Estas tarifas pueden variar ampliamente, pero generalmente oscilan entre el 0,5% y el 1% del monto del préstamo. Es esencial comparar precios y comparar las tarifas iniciales al seleccionar un prestamista para asegurarse de obtener la mejor oferta.

Tarifas de depósito en garantía: si opta por utilizar un servicio de depósito en garantía para retener fondos y coordinar el proceso de cierre, es probable que incurra en tarifas de depósito en garantía. Estas tarifas cubren el costo de administrar la cuenta de depósito en garantía y garantizar que todas las partes cumplan con sus obligaciones. Las tarifas de depósito en garantía suelen ascender a alrededor del 1% del precio de compra, pero pueden variar según la complejidad de la transacción.

Navegar por el ámbito de los costos de cierre puede resultar abrumador, pero comprender qué esperar puede ayudar a aliviar parte del estrés asociado con la compra de una casa. Al presupuestar estos gastos y trabajar estrechamente con su agente de bienes raíces y prestamista, podrá acercarse a la mesa de cierre con confianza y entusiasmo mientras da el siguiente paso hacia la propiedad de vivienda.

Filed Under: Homebuyer Tips, Spanish Tagged With: Compra De Casa, Costos De Cierre, Propiedad De Vivienda

Understanding “Cash to Close” in Your Home Buying Journey

November 5, 2024 by Angel Leon

If you’ve received your Closing Disclosure from your lender, congratulations! You’re almost at the finish line of your home buying journey, ready to celebrate with keys in hand. The Closing Disclosure, or CD, is provided at least three business days before your closing appointment and details your loan terms, projected monthly payments, and the much-discussed “cash to close.” But what exactly is “cash to close,” and how is it calculated?

What is “Cash to Close”?

“Cash to close” is the total amount you’ll need to bring to your closing appointment to finalize your home purchase. It includes your down payment and closing costs, which are necessary to officially transfer ownership of the property to you. Each fee has a specific purpose, ensuring the legal and financial security of both you and the lender.

Breaking Down Closing Costs

Closing costs are part of the cash to close and cover a range of legal, administrative, and logistical fees associated with your mortgage. Here’s a look at some common components:

  • Appraisal Fees: Typically paid by the buyer, this fee covers the cost of determining the fair market value of the home.
  • Attorney Fees: These include charges for preparing closing documents and conducting a title search.
  • Title Insurance: Provides protection if a third party claims ownership of the property.
  • Application & Origination Fees: Cover lender costs for processing and underwriting your loan.
  • Mortgage Insurance: Required for certain loans, this protects the lender if you default.
  • Funding Fees: Charged for specific loan types like FHA, USDA, or VA loans.
  • Pest Inspection Fees: Usually for termite inspections, particularly in certain areas or on specific property types.

Each of these fees will be listed individually on your CD and contribute to your total cash to close amount. Some lenders may allow you to roll certain costs into your loan, but this varies and depends on factors like loan type and lender policies.

Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and Down Payment

If you made an earnest money deposit when you agreed to purchase the home, this amount is held in escrow and typically applied toward your closing costs. The down payment, a major part of the cash to close, is based on your loan type and the amount you agreed to put down, which can range from as little as 0% to as much as 20% or more of the purchase price. Your lender will review and confirm these details well before closing.

Payment Options for Closing Costs

Lenders usually require a certified payment method. Here are a few options to consider:

  • Cashier’s Check: The most common form, which you can get from your bank. You’ll need the exact amount and payee information.
  • Certified Check: Another bank-issued option, ensuring funds are available and verified.
  • Wire Transfer: Convenient but requires advanced planning. Wire transfers can take a few days and should be carefully verified to avoid fraud.

Note: Cash, personal checks, and credit/debit cards aren’t accepted due to the high amounts and to ensure clear documentation of funds.

Verify all details on your Closing Disclosure and double-check your payment method with your lender. By staying informed and preparing early, you can ensure a seamless transition to homeownership.

Understanding “cash to close” can alleviate some of the uncertainty around finalizing your mortgage and help you walk confidently into your new home!

Filed Under: Home Mortgages Tagged With: Closing Costs, Home Loan Basics, Mortgage

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