Speed Your Mortgage Approval up by Following This Checklist

Have you finally found your dream home after months of searching, and then you are told that the seller has received other offers? No buyer wants to find themselves in a bidding war against another buyer as it is a stressful situation. Being unprepared and not having your finances in order will make it even more stressful. Here are a few quick ways if you’re looking to speed up your mortgage approval process, here’s a checklist to help you prepare:

·        Review your credit report: Maintain a good credit score by paying bills on time, reducing existing debt, and avoiding new credit inquiries. Check your credit report for errors and make sure your credit score is in good shape. A good credit score can positively impact the approval and interest rate you receive.

·        Gather financial documents: Gather all necessary paperwork beforehand, including pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and any other financial documentation. Having these readily available will expedite the application process.

·        Save for a down payment: A larger down payment can reduce the risk for lenders, making them more inclined to approve your loan faster. It can also decrease the time needed for certain approval processes.

·        Stay at your job: It’s best to avoid changing jobs during the mortgage approval process.

·        Avoid new credit: Don’t apply for new credit or take on new debt during the approval process.

·        Don’t make big purchases: Avoid making large purchases, such as a car, during the approval process.

·        Respond promptly to requests: Once you’ve applied for a mortgage, respond promptly to any requests from your lender. Delays often occur when there’s a lack of communication or slow responses to queries or requests for additional information.

·        Work with a reputable lender: Choose a lender with a good reputation and experience in the mortgage industry.

·        Get pre-approved: Consider getting pre-approved for a mortgage before house hunting to speed up the approval process.

Stay informed about the process and ask questions if you’re unsure about any step. Following this checklist can help speed up your mortgage approval process and make the process smoother and less stressful.  Good communication with your lender is key to ensuring a smooth and expedited process.

Which Big Tax Breaks Are Available From Home Credits

There are several big tax breaks available from home credits that can help homeowners save money on their taxes. Here are some notable examples:

Mortgage Interest Deduction: This is one of the largest tax breaks for homeowners. You can deduct the interest paid on your mortgage loan, up to a certain limit, as an itemized deduction on your federal income tax return. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced the mortgage interest deduction limit for new mortgages, but it still remains a significant tax break for many homeowners.

Property Tax Deduction: Homeowners can deduct the amount they pay in property taxes on their primary residence and any other real estate they own. The property tax deduction is an itemized deduction and can help reduce your taxable income.

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements: The Residential Energy-Efficient Property Credit allows homeowners to claim a tax credit for certain energy-efficient improvements made to their homes. This includes installing solar panels, solar-powered water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, and fuel cell systems. The credit is a percentage of the cost of the improvements and can provide substantial tax savings.

Home Office Deduction: If you use a part of your home regularly and exclusively for business purposes, you may be eligible for a home office deduction. This deduction allows you to deduct a portion of your home-related expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, and home insurance, based on the percentage of your home used for business.

First-Time Homebuyer Credit: Although the federal first-time homebuyer credit was phased out in 2010, some states offer their own versions of this credit. These credits are designed to assist first-time homebuyers with their down payment or closing costs. Eligibility criteria and available amounts vary by state, so you should check with your state’s tax authority or a tax professional to see if you qualify.

It’s important to note that tax laws can change, and eligibility for these tax breaks may vary depending on your specific circumstances. It’s always a good idea to consult with a tax professional or refer to the latest tax guidelines to understand the most up-to-date information and determine your eligibility for these tax breaks.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 13, 2023

The week following the FOMC rate decision meetings are typically very light, with the two most influential releases being the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment and the weekly Job Claims reports. The more positive news is mortgage lending rates have been on the decline in the last two weeks.

Consumer Credit Reports

Consumer sentiment fell in November for the fourth month in a row due to tensions with the Middle East and there is lingering hawkishness from the Federal Reserve, which could spell continued rate hikes in the future.

The preliminary reading of the sentiment survey declined to 60.4 from 63.8 in October, the University of Michigan said Friday, making it the weakest reading since May.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

  • 15-Yr FRM rates seeing a week-to-week decrease by -0.22% with the current rate at 6.81%.
  • 30-Yr FRM rates seeing a week-to-week decrease by -0.26% with the current rate at 7.5%

MND Rate Index

  • 30-Yr FHA rates increased week to week seeing a 0.20% increase for this week. Current rates at 6.91%
  • 30-Yr VA rates increased week to week seeing a 0.04% increase for this week. Current rates at 6.74%

Jobless Claims

The weekly jobless claims report from the Labor Department on Thursday also showed unemployment rolls rising to a six-month high.

Initial Claims have decreased to 217,000 compared to the expected claims of 220,000. The prior week was 220,000.

What’s Ahead

The next week will have much bigger market impacting data reports with the releases of CPI and PPI. There will also be a significant amount of the Federal Reserve members speaking throughout the week on rate policy decisions.