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Category: Financing

Learn more about Memphis real estate.

How to Buy Down Your Mortgage Rate: A Guide for Potential Homebuyers

October 6, 2024

As you explore mortgage options to finance your new home, you may come across the concept of a “rate buy-down.” This is a valuable strategy that allows you to secure a lower mortgage interest rate, which can lead to significant savings over the life of your loan. In this article, we’ll walk you through what a rate buy-down is, the potential benefits and challenges, and how it could apply in a real-world scenario for a $500,000 home. What Is a Rate Buy-Down? A rate buy-down, also known as a mortgage discount point, involves paying an upfront fee to reduce your interest rate. Essentially, you are prepaying some of the interest costs to lower your monthly mortgage payments. This process can be particularly helpful in high-interest rate environments, making homeownership more affordable over time. Rate buy-downs are often discussed in terms of “points,” where one point equals 1% of the loan amount. Each point you purchase lowers your interest rate by a certain percentage, generally between 0.125% and 0.25% per point, though the exact rate reduction can vary depending on the lender and market conditions. How Does It Work? Here’s a quick breakdown: Determine the Loan Amount: To figure out how

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What To Know About Closing Costs

September 30, 2024

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don’t forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know. What Are Closing Costs? Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. And while they’ll vary based on the price of the home and how it’s being financed, every buyer has these, so they shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s just that some people forget to budget for them. According to Freddie Mac, this part of the home buying process typically includes: Application fees Credit report fees Loan origination fees Appraisal fees Home inspection fees Title insurance Homeowners insurance Survey fees Attorney fee Some of these are one-time expenses that are baked into your closing costs. Others, like homeowners’ insurance, are initial installment payments for ongoing responsibilities you’ll have once you take possession of the home. How Much Are Closing Costs? The same Freddie Mac article goes on to say: “Closing costs vary

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Helpful Negotiation Tactics for Today’s Housing Market

August 12, 2024

If you haven’t already heard, homebuyers are regaining some negotiating power in today’s market. And while that doesn’t make this a buyer’s market, it does mean buyers may be able to ask for a little more. So, sellers need to be ready for that possibility and know what they’re willing to negotiate. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a house, here’s a quick rundown of potential negotiations that may pop up during your transaction. That way, you’re prepared no matter which side of the deal you’re on. What Can You Negotiate? Most things in a home purchase are on the negotiation table. Here’s a list of just a few of those options, according to Kiplinger and LendingTree:     Sale Price: The most obvious is the price of the home. And that lever is being pulled more often today. Buyers don’t want to overpay when affordability is already so tight. And sellers who aren’t realistic about their asking price may have to consider adjusting their price. Home Repairs: Based on the inspection, a buyer is within their rights to ask the seller to make reasonable repairs. If the seller doesn’t want to do that, they could offer to reduce

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What You Need To Know About Today’s Down Payment Programs

June 22, 2024

There’s no denying it’s gotten more challenging to buy a home, especially with today’s mortgage rates and home price appreciation. And that may be one of the big reasons you’re eager to look into grants and assistance programs to see if there’s anything you qualify for that can help. But unfortunately, many homebuyers feel like they don’t know where to start. A recent Bank of America Institute study asked prospective buyers where they lack confidence in the process and need more information. And this is what topped the list: 53% said they need help understanding homebuying grant programs. So, here’s some information that can help you close that gap.   What Is Down Payment Assistance? As the Mortgage Reports explains: “Down payment assistance (DPA) programs offer loans and grants that can cover part or all of a home buyer’s down payment and closing costs. More than 2,000 of these programs are available nationwide. . . DPA programs vary by location, but many home buyers could be in line for thousands of dollars in down payment assistance if they qualify.” And here’s some more good news. On top of all of these programs, you probably don’t need to save as much

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Savings Strategies Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs To Know

June 15, 2024

If homeownership is on your goal sheet for your future, you’re probably working on your savings. And a big priority is making sure you’ve got a plan in place for things like your closing costs, down payment, and more. Here are a few strategies that can help speed up that process. Budget and Track Your Expenses: To start, create a detailed budget that tracks the money you’ve got coming in and the money going out. This’ll give you a better look at your finances as a whole. Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending: Now that you have your budget sheet done and you know how you’re spending your money, look for any line items that aren’t absolutely essential. If you cut down on those, you can re-allocate that cash toward buying a home. Even the little things can add up. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says: “The majority of first-time buyers did make financial sacrifices to purchase a home. For those who did, the most common sacrifices buyers reported were cutting spending on luxury goods, entertainment, and clothes.” Automate Your Savings: Once you know how much you want to set aside for your homebuying budget, look for ways to

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Ways To Use Your Tax Refund If You Want To Buy a Home

April 15, 2024

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a number of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But did you also know your tax refund can help you pay for some of these expenses? As Credit Karma explains: “If one of your goals is to stop renting and buy a home, you’ll need to save up for closing costs and a down payment on the mortgage. A tax refund can give you a start on the road to homeownership. If you’ve already started to save, your tax refund could move you down the road faster.” While how much money you may get in a tax refund is going to vary, it can be encouraging to have a general idea of what’s possible. Here’s what CNET has to say about the average increase people are seeing this year: “The average refund size is up by 6.1%, from $2,903 for 2023’s tax season through March 24, to $3,081 for this season through March 22.” Sounds great, right? Remember, your number is going to be different. But if you do get a refund, here are a few examples of how

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This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please contact Meridian Premier Homes to learn more about what properties are for sale and for current real estate information. Equal Housing Opportunity: Equal Opportunity Employer. It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.We are committed to making this website compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We wish all of our visitors to be able to easily access our services. Accessibility and usability are not always possible in every area of the website or for those visitors using assistive technologies and devices. If, at any time, you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any particular page, please contact us. Meridian Premier Homes. Privacy Policy.

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