We may not be comparing real apples and oranges, but we’re coming pretty close in the home financing industry.
And if you’re at all interested in using your home’s equity to access cash, then this comparison is for you.
There are two common ways to get cash from your home—a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or a cash out refinance.In the current environment, many people want to keep the great interest rate they already have on their home loan, so they automatically choose a HELOC over a refinance. But wait—there’s a big difference that can make the benefits hard to compare at a glance. HELOCs have adjustable interest rates, whereas most home loans are fixed.
Try it out. And if you’re interested in exploring your options more, please let me know. I’ll be happy to help.
ZEROThe VA and the USDA both offer a zero down loan program for individuals and/or properties that meet their criteria. Sometimes, loans require little or no cash out of pocket. Some HUD properties are available with as little as $100 down.
3%Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac conventional loans are available with down payments as low as 3% on single-family homes, including eligible condos, co-ops, and some manufactured homes. Fixed-rate mortgages with up to 30-year terms and ARMs are available.
3.5%The Federal Housing Administration (or FHA) loan program can allow as little as 3.5% down, and it is more lenient than most other programs on minimum credit scores and other factors.
Are you surprised at how low you may be able to go? While many believe a 20% down payment is required, you can see now that it’s far from the only option.
Whether you’ve saved a little or a lot, reach out today, and we’ll work on finding a loan that works for you.
Here’s a new addition for your home buying toolbox: a quick way to estimate a total monthly housing payment and the income needed to qualify.
Just bookmark this payment and qualification calculator link and make a quick visit while you’re looking at homes. I hope you’ll feel more comfortable knowing what you’ll likely pay each month and whether the loan may work for your particular situation.
Give it a try now!
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