Cautious Homebuyer May Miss Great Deal
Q: I've been waiting for the market to hit bottom before buying my first house. I think we're there, but I feel I should wait for a while longer in case prices continue to fall. What do you think?
(Thursday, March 11, 2010)
Pay Less Now Or Later: You Decide
Q: I am in the process of buying a home in the Northeast Heights and am getting lots of conflicting advice on how much money I should apply toward my down payment. The home I'm buying is priced at $200,000 and I originally was going to put $40,000 toward the purchase and have a $160,000 loan. Now, I'm getting advice from friends and family that I should save that money and just do the minimum down payment. I really don't mind putting that much down, but it does pretty much deplete my cash savings. What should I do?
(Thursday, March 04, 2010)
Income Holds Up Loan for Family's First Home
Q: I am trying to purchase my first home with my wife and two small children but have run into a serious roadblock. I am just starting my career and don't make as much as I will in two or three years. My wife works part time and takes care of our children the other time, so she really can't work any more hours. She also takes care of some neighbor children and makes about $100 per week doing that. However, we can't count that income on our application. What I'm being told is that if we made $400 more per month, we would qualify for an Federal Housing Administration mortgage and our first home. Right now, that's just not possible. Our credit is excellent and we have the down payment saved. I know that we would be able to make these payments and we are desperate to get out of this apartment. What do you suggest?
(Thursday, February 18, 2010)
The Right Steps for Financing
Q: I'm thinking of having a home built, but I've never done this before. I understand I get the financing when the house is done, right? How much will I need in the beginning of the process?
(Thursday, February 11, 2010)
Petal to the Metal Economy forces career change onto the fast track
Real estate agent Lisa Chamberlain always wanted to run a florist business. The plan was to save up enough while she was still selling houses to make the transition comfortably.
(Thursday, February 04, 2010)
Residence or Rental? Loan Terms Depend
Q: How long do you have to live in a house as your primary residence before you can rent it? I'm considering purchasing a home, but I may be moving in with my fiancee in the next 12 months.
(Thursday, February 04, 2010)
Do Your Finance Work First
Q: I want to buy a house, but the Realtor I have is resistant to show me houses until I get approved for a mortgage. I think I'll be more inspired to do what it takes to get approved if I find something I really like first. Is my Realtor being unreasonable?
(Thursday, January 28, 2010)
Do It Yourself
A knack with a knife, a handy way with a rolling pin and how to produce tasty meals with a pressure cooker are just some of the cooking skills Janice Laird has fun teaching.
(Thursday, January 21, 2010)
No Credit? No Bank Will OK Mortgage Loan
Q: I am in my second year of graduate school at UNM and would like to purchase my first home. I work part time and make about $30,000 per year working at a medical lab. My parents are willing to give me about $100,000 for a down payment for a $200,000 home but I'm being told I still don't qualify. My problem is that I have no FICO scores (Fair Isaac Corporation, uses information contained in consumer credit files to determine a consumer's credit score) because I've never had any credit cards. I think the banking system is totally corrupt and will probably never have a credit card if I can avoid it. Do you know of anyone who will lend to me under these circumstances?
(Thursday, January 21, 2010)
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