James Whitener

Arizona Loan Officer

Real Estate Podcast: BREAK IT DOWN WITH BRAYDON
Check out my podcast episode with BreakItDown — the Arizona #1 Real Estate podcast about everything real estate in The Valley!

On Time, Every Time: How Being Late on Monthly Payments Can Affect Your Mortgage

by

On Time, Every Time: How Being Late on Monthly Payments Can Affect Your MortgageAre you the type of person that struggles with remembering to pay their bills on time? You’re not alone. People across the country regularly submit late monthly payments, inflicting terrible damage to their credit. Let’s take a quick look at how paying your loan or other monthly payments late can have a negative impact on your mortgage.

Your Credit Score Is At Risk

As you already know, almost all banks, credit cards, mortgage companies and other lenders rely on your credit score to help assess the risk of lending money to you. Paying any of your payments late – even something as small as your mobile phone bill or a department store credit card – can result in negative marks showing up on your credit report. If you are late enough times or fail to repay the late payment in full, then your score will start to drop.

Refinancing Can Be Affected

If you already have a mortgage, then a lower credit score can be a problem when you try to refinance. The process of refinancing involves taking out a new mortgage, in which your lender will reassess your risk using your credit score as one of the indicators. If you have been making late payments, you might end up having to settle for a higher interest rate or you may even be declined for the new mortgage.

Making A Late Payment? Contact Your Lender

If you are caught in a bind and have to make a late payment, it is best to get a call in to your lender as soon as possible. First, there may be a grace period in which you can be a few days late without any penalty. If that little bit of breathing room is all you need to get caught up, you’re set. If not, you can let them know your circumstances and discuss what options you have.

It is essential to pay your monthly payments on time, even if it means making some small sacrifices in other areas. The better your credit score looks, the more opportunities you will have to make positive financial moves in the future. To learn more about monthly mortgage payments or to take out a mortgage on a new home, contact us today. Our team of mortgage professionals is here to help you find a mortgage to buy the home of your dreams.

How To Keep Your Address Private

by

How To Keep Your Address Private There are not many parts of your life that are private anymore. Today, it is relatively easy for someone to go online and look up your address in just a few minutes. At the same time, there are some people who have an easier time keeping their lives private. Celebrities, public officials, and other people who are frequently in the public light are able to conceal their addresses. Even if you aren’t famous, what do you need to do to hide your address?

Talk To A Real Estate Agent

If you want to keep your address private, the first thing you should do is talk to your real estate agent. There is a great chance that they have worked with someone who wanted to keep their address private in the past, and they can provide you with a list of steps you should take. Make sure the home you purchase is pulled off the MLS quickly. That way, someone has to go to the local Town Hall if they want to look up your home.

Use A Trust

You may also want to consider placing your home in a trust. A trust will specify how your assets are distributed after you pass away. You can use a trust to hide real estate purchases, meaning that only the name of your trust is going to be listed in public records. That way, people cannot find your address by simply looking it up online, as they will simply see your trust represented.

Form An LLC

You may also want to consider forming an LLC, also known as a limited liability company. The vast majority of locations do not restrict LLC ownership. This means that you can set up an LLC, specify the LLC as the owner of the property, and keep your name out of the public light. You may want to reach out to an attorney who can help you form an LLC.

Keep Your Address Hidden

The internet is a powerful tool, but you should not resign yourself to having your address listed online. Consider checking out a few of these options, and reach out to a professional if you would like help hiding your address after you purchase a new house.

 

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here’s What You Need to Know

by

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here's What You Need to KnowOutside of the significant financial responsibility of delving into home ownership, there can also be a lot of other risks involved that you may not have thought about before investing in a home. You’ll need to protect your home against theft or burglary. And homeowner’s insurance to protect your home and belongings is almost a requirement. But there are other less common occurrences you may not have thought about. If you happen to be living in an area that’s at high risk of fire, here are some things to consider beforehand.

Defining “High Risk”

It’s easy to be swept away by a beautiful home and forget about what the natural landscape around it consists of. Many homes across the United States are built in areas close to trees and shrubs, which can be dangerous in times of high temperatures, so it’s important to do your research. While hot spots can occur in many different areas, California and the southwest region are particularly vulnerable in times of drought.

What It Means For Your Mortgage

Nearly all homes can be adversely affected by a fire so it’s important to realize that buying in a high-risk area will not impact your ability to get a mortgage. It can, however, impact some of the costs associated with investing in your home. While homeowner’s insurance is a requirement of buying a home and it will generally cover you in the incidence of a fire, it can be a bit pricier. Fortunately, you may be able to guard against some of the additional costs by purchasing a home with materials that are more fire resistant.

In The Event Of Fire

If the worst happens and your home incurs damage from a fire, you’ll want to assess the extent of the damage before making a decision. For a home that is minimally impacted, you may want to use insurance to repair the property. However, if the property is significantly or completely destroyed, a payout may be required in order to pay off the mortgage. Before purchasing a home in a fire-prone area it’s best to be aware of all aspects of your insurance policy so you can be prepared.

It’s a more significant risk to buy a home in a fire-prone area, but you can be prepared for the worst by knowing your options. If you’re currently considering purchasing a new home, contact your trusted mortgage professional for more information.

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here’s What You Need to Know

by

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here's What You Need to KnowOutside of the significant financial responsibility of delving into home ownership, there can also be a lot of other risks involved that you may not have thought about before investing in a home. You’ll need to protect your home against theft or burglary. And homeowner’s insurance to protect your home and belongings is almost a requirement. But there are other less common occurrences you may not have thought about. If you happen to be living in an area that’s at high risk of fire, here are some things to consider beforehand.

Defining “High Risk”

It’s easy to be swept away by a beautiful home and forget about what the natural landscape around it consists of. Many homes across the United States are built in areas close to trees and shrubs, which can be dangerous in times of high temperatures, so it’s important to do your research. While hot spots can occur in many different areas, California and the southwest region are particularly vulnerable in times of drought.

What It Means For Your Mortgage

Nearly all homes can be adversely affected by a fire so it’s important to realize that buying in a high-risk area will not impact your ability to get a mortgage. It can, however, impact some of the costs associated with investing in your home. While homeowner’s insurance is a requirement of buying a home and it will generally cover you in the incidence of a fire, it can be a bit pricier. Fortunately, you may be able to guard against some of the additional costs by purchasing a home with materials that are more fire resistant.

In The Event Of Fire

If the worst happens and your home incurs damage from a fire, you’ll want to assess the extent of the damage before making a decision. For a home that is minimally impacted, you may want to use insurance to repair the property. However, if the property is significantly or completely destroyed, a payout may be required in order to pay off the mortgage. Before purchasing a home in a fire-prone area it’s best to be aware of all aspects of your insurance policy so you can be prepared.

It’s a more significant risk to buy a home in a fire-prone area, but you can be prepared for the worst by knowing your options. If you’re currently considering purchasing a new home, contact your trusted mortgage professional for more information.

Understanding ‘PITI’ and What Goes in to Your Monthly Payments

by

Understanding 'PITI' and What Goes in to Your Monthly PaymentsAsk any friend or family member that owns a home and they will share that it takes a bit of management to keep all the expenses under control. Let’s explore the concept of PITI and why it is vital to have a clear picture of how much your home is costing you each month.

Just What Is PITI, Anyway?

PITI is an acronym that stands for “principal, interest, taxes and insurance,” which are the four main components that make up your housing costs.

Principal – this is the amount that you are paying against the total amount that you borrowed when you purchased the home. For example, if you used a mortgage to cover $200,000 of the home’s purchase price, the remaining balance of that $200,000 is the principal. A part of your monthly mortgage payment goes to paying down the principal.

Interest – this is the extra cost that the lender charges for the service of lending you the principal amount. For most mortgages, you will see this expressed as an “interest rate” which is a small percent charged on the loan. A portion of your monthly mortgage payment goes to paying down the interest owed.

Taxes – tax costs are not included in your monthly mortgage payment, but will be added by your lender as part of your yearly expenses when calculating your debt-to-income ratio (see below). Property taxes and other assessments will need to be paid each year.

Insurance – this is the cost of insuring your mortgage and your home. Like taxes, your mortgage lender will typically include some insurance costs in your DTI ratio calculation.

How Lenders Use PITI

Many mortgage lenders use some form of PITI calculation when determining your debt-to-income ratio. This ratio helps the lender understand your ability to manage your monthly mortgage payments without being at risk of missing one. The lower the ratio, the more likely you can afford all your monthly expenses.

Don’t Forget Your Other Monthly Expenses

Finally, don’t forget that along with PITI you will have a variety of other monthly expenses that need to be budgeted for. Leave some space for utilities, repairs and other renovations that need to be made throughout the year.

Once you have the full picture of what is coming in and going out each month, managing your expenses is easy. When you are ready to discuss or apply for a mortgage, get in touch with us. Our friendly team of mortgage professionals is happy to help.

What Are The Different Types Of Investment Properties You Can Purchase?

by

What Are The Different Types Of Investment Properties You Can Purchase? If you are looking for a way to diversify your investment portfolio, there are different options available. One option is to invest in real estate. With so many different choices, how can you select the right one for your needs? There are a few key points to keep in mind.

A Single-Family Home

One of the first options you might be considering is a single-family home. This is a versatile option that you can use to host long-term renters or vacation visitors. Single-family homes come in many shapes and sizes, but the variation can also make it a bit of a challenge. You need to think about landscape maintenance, potential repairs, and real estate taxes. Single-family homes can also be expensive, so they might require more upfront cash to purchase.

A Duplex

Another option you might want to consider is a duplex. A duplex is a house that is essentially divided into two parts. This option provides a number of advantages. You could potentially live in one side of the house and rent out the other, possible covering your mortgage, if you are comfortable living near your renters. Furthermore, living close to the renters could make it easier for you to manage the property. Because you could live in one side of the house, this option could be more affordable.

A Condo

In addition, you might be thinking about purchasing a condo as a rental property. A condo could be a nice option because you don’t have to worry about exterior maintenance. There is usually an HOA that is responsible for managing the landscape. The downside is that a condo typically comes with expensive HOA fees that could eat into your profits. Condos come in all shapes and sizes, so you should think carefully about whether this option is right for you.

Find The Right Investment Property For Your Needs

If you are thinking about purchasing a rental property, these are a few of the top options available. Each choice has its benefits and drawbacks, and you need to think carefully about which one is right for your style. If you have questions about investment properties, you should reach out to an expert who can help you.