Tag Archives for " mortgage "

November 15, 2017

How to Avoid Foreclosure on your Southern New Hampshire house

Foreclosure can be a very scary, and for many it can be an embarrassing issue. No one wants to lose their home due to money problems, but sometimes money is short and ours bills become difficult to maintain. 


Here are a few easy steps to avoid foreclosure.

  • Call Your Lender

As soon as you realize you might have trouble paying your mortgage for your home in Southern NH, contact your lender. Tell them about your financial difficulties. This gives them the chance to work with you, not against you, and create a plan of action. Be sure that you don’t stop paying your bills before talking to them. Don’t wait until you can’t make payments before you speak to your lender.

  • MHA Still Offers Guidance

The Making Home Affordable (MHA) Program is no longer available but this still offer help if you are having trouble working with your mortgage provider. This organization provides free counselors. They can give you advice and assistance with keeping your Southern New Hampshire home, or help you get out safely. If you need help making an important decision or just have questions you can visit their website at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov or call their hotline 1(888) 955-HOPE anytime. You may still be able to get a modification plan through your mortgage company to suit your budget so that foreclosure can be avoided. Your state housing agency may also have a foreclosure avoidance program as well. 

  • Foreclosure Scams

Scammers often contact homeowners who are having trouble with their mortgage payments and offer to help, knowing they are desperate to keep their Southern New Hampshire homes. They often find their victims by advertising online, distributing flyers, contacting people whose homes appear in foreclosure notices, and target specific religious or ethnic groups. These criminals will promise to help you keep or sell your home without having to go into foreclosure at all for a fee.

Do not fall for this, they aren’t really trying to help you, they are just trying to take your money! Be sure that you are aware of the tricks these scammers use.  They may offer to negotiate with your lender, advising you that filing for bankruptcy can help stop a foreclosure, and offer you fake legal help. Know the warning signs to protect yourself against these potential downfalls!



Follow these simple steps and you’re on the right track to keeping your Southern New Hampshire home. If things can not be worked out after exhausting all options we can help you make an agreement with the bank to extend foreclosure and sell your home or even short sale your home, if you owe more to the bank than the house is worth on the market. Whether you're behind on payments or not, don't be embarrassed, we can help you make the best decision for your particular situation.  

If you are looking to buy or sell a home for sale in Southern New Hampshire give our qualified agents at Harmony Real Estate a call today at (603) 883-8840. We would love to help you keep your home if possible, extend your foreclosure date and get back your equity, or even short sale your home if there is no other possible option.

November 6, 2017

4 Tips to House Buying Made Simple

The whole process of looking for and purchasing a home can be very stressful, but the agents at Harmony Real Estate are here to help! 


Here are a few simple steps you should take when buying a home in South Nashua:

Check Your Credit

Be sure you check your credit before you start searching for a home. If you have bad credit, you will most likely need someone else to co-sign, or to put their name on the mortgage with you, unless you pay for your home in full cash.

For a conventional loan you will need a higher credit score typically around 660 or higher while an FHA loan will give you more wiggle room typically down to about a 580 score. Don’t give up if your score is lower than the required amount because there are also ways of increasing your score to get you where you need to be.



Look At Your Income

Also be sure you look at your income so you know just how much you can afford monthly, and yearly. Don’t spend everything you have all at once, be sure you have enough money left over for other payments and bills you may have.

Typically there is a 40% or higher ratio that mortgage lenders will be looking for but we suggest a bit lower so you still have money for other things. Being house poor doesn;t make for a happier life. It’s nice to own a home but it’s also nice to be able to enjoy going out, or buying some new clothes once in a while.



Get Preapproved For A Mortgage

To get preapproved for a mortgage, first you must visit a lender. The mortgage lender will look at things such as your credit reports, your employment history, and your income very closely and carefully. After that, they will figure out which loan program you qualify for, the maximum amount you can borrow, and the interest rates you will be offered.

It is important to get this done before you start looking for South Nashua houses for sale, so you know just how much you have to spend. You don’t want to start looking at houses that are above your reach as it will make the houses you can afford not look as appealing. Be realistic and make your budget work for you. You can always build equity and get the larger house next time if you can’t afford it the first time around.



Find The Right Real Estate Agent

Finding the right Real Estate Agent is important because they can help take some of the stress off of you when you are looking for your South Nashua dream home. Searching for and purchasing the right home takes a lot of time that you may not have, as well as a lot of work that you may just not want to deal with. An agent can deal with the time, and work while you sit back and relax, that is their job!



If you are looking to buy or sell a home, call Harmony Real Estate today at (603) 883-8840. One of our qualified agents will be more than happy to help you find your dream home.


The whole process of looking for and purchasing a home can be very stressful, but the agents at Harmony Real Estate are here to help! Here are a few simple steps you should take when buying a home in South Nashua!



Check Your Credit

Be sure you check your credit before you start searching for a home. If you have bad credit, you will most likely need someone else to co-sign, or to put their name on the mortgage with you, unless you pay for your home in full cash.


For a conventional loan you will need a higher credit score typically around 660 or higher while an FHA loan will give you more wiggle room typically down to about a 580 score. Don’t give up if your score is lower than the required amount because there are also ways of increasing your score to get you where you need to be.



Look At Your Income

Also be sure you look at your income so you know just how much you can afford monthly, and yearly. Don’t spend everything you have all at once, be sure you have enough money left over for other payments and bills you may have.


Typically there is a 40% or higher ratio that mortgage lenders will be looking for but we suggest a bit lower so you still have money for other things. Being house poor doesn;t make for a happier life. It’s nice to own a home but it’s also nice to be able to enjoy going out, or buying some new clothes once in a while.



Get Preapproved For A Mortgage

To get preapproved for a mortgage, first you must visit a lender. The mortgage lender will look at things such as your credit reports, your employment history, and your income very closely and carefully. After that, they will figure out which loan program you qualify for, the maximum amount you can borrow, and the interest rates you will be offered.


It is important to get this done before you start looking for South Nashua houses for sale, so you know just how much you have to spend. You don’t want to start looking at houses that are above your reach as it will make the houses you can afford not look as appealing. Be realistic and make your budget work for you. You can always build equity and get the larger house next time if you can’t afford it the first time around.




Find The Right Real Estate Agent

Finding the right Real Estate Agent is important because they can help take some of the stress off off you when you are looking for your South Nashua dream home. Searching for and purchasing the right home takes a lot of time that you may not have, as well as a lot of work that you may just not want to deal with. An agent can deal with the time, and work while you sit back and relax, that is their job!



If you are looking to buy or sell a home, call Harmony Real Estate today at (603) 883-8840

One of our qualified agents will be more than happy to help you find your dream home.


October 11, 2017

Sealing the deal: How to Get a Mortgage

Buying a South Hudson NH home can be extremely stressful, especially when the home of your dreams costs more than you can afford. Luckily for you there are a few ways to get the most out of your money, and we are here to help you. Here are some important tips on how to get a mortgage,.

We will always stand by your decision as it's yours to make but we will guide you along the way. It's nice to be able to go out to dinner or buy a new pair of shoes and not just live for a house too.

How Much Can I Afford To Borrow for a South Hudson NH Mortgage?

Your credit, income, debt-to-income ratio, the size of your down payment, your employment and residence history are all factors in how much you can borrow for a mortgage. Be cautious when you get  a mortgage because the amount you are able to borrow can exceed the amount you can afford.

What Are My Upfront Costs?

Some costs associated with buying a Hudson NH home start to appear before you even make a payment on your mortgage. These include:

Mortgage Application Fees

When you apply for a mortgage there are always fees. Application fees include service fees, which can be flat fees, or they can be a % of the total purchase price. Application fees include the appraisal, credit report fees, title insurance, flood certification fees, lawyer costs, points, as well as application, processing and underwriting fees. Depending on the company you choose to work with they can show up differently on the closing statement.

Earnest Money
Earnest Money is an initial deposit to be paid into an escrow account once your offer is accepted. This is also known as a “good faith deposit” which may influence the seller's decision on whether to accept your offer. The more you put down, the more serious your offer will appear to the seller.

Down Payment
You can get better mortgage rates by having a larger mortgage down payment. Down payments range from 0% to 20% or more of the total cost of the South Hudson NH home you decide to purchase. Some people put down 20% in order to remove the cost of the Mortgage Insurance Premium. Paying mortgage points up front can also help lower your payments.

Closing Costs
Final closing costs can range from a flat fee to a percentage of the total loan amount, depending on your mortgage and the agreement with the seller. Sometimes closing costs can be rolled into the mortgage loan amount which means you can pay it through your mortgage. The other option is to ask the seller if they are willing to pay some of the closing costs in your offer, if the market will accept it.

Closing costs can include:

  • Mortgage Application Fees
  • Mortgage Points
  • Title Insurance and Title Search
  • Escrow Deposits
  • Attorney’s Fees
  • Inspection and Surveys
  • City Recording Fees

Don’t let this list of closing costs worry you because they are all paid at closing and can be estimated by the lender upfront to give you an idea of what will be needed in the transaction.

Home Ownership Expenses
Owning a South Hudson home requires financial commitment far beyond your monthly mortgage payment. You will also be required to pay your mortgage insurance, home insurance, utilities, repairs, and property taxes. Make sure to take all of these costs into account when you are deciding how much you can afford to borrow to buy your new home. It is crucial that you consider all of these costs before you decide to get a mortgage.

Planning And Saving Tips

If you are still saving for your new home, here are some helpful tips for you:

  • Maintaining a reliable income improves your standing with lenders
  • Paying your bills on time and limiting your monthly debt helps improve your credit score
  • Saving for a larger down payment can lower APR and payments
  • Combining your stated income with a partner or spouse can help you afford more
  • You want your mortgage payment to be less than a third of your income


Building up your finances and your credit rating before you buy a South Hudson NH home will help you to afford more when you decide to purchase. It can also help you compete with other buyers for the home that you want. This will make owning your new home easier to manage!

For more information on How to Get a Mortgage for a South Hudson NH home for sale give our agents at a call at Harmony Real Estate at (603) 883-8840. We would love to help you find your South Hudson NH dream home!

Buying a new home can be extremely stressful, especially when the home of your dreams costs more than you have to spend. Luckily for you there are a few ways of getting around that, and I am going to help.



How Much Mortgage Can I Afford To Borrow?

Your credit history, income, the size of your down payment, and your employment and residence history are all factors in how much mortgage you can borrow. Be sure you borrow cautiously because the amount you are able to borrow can very well exceed the amount you can afford to borrow!


What To Will I Need To Pay Upfront?

Some costs associated with buying a home appear before you start making regular payments on your mortgage. These include:


Mortgage Application Fees

When you apply for to take out a mortgage there are always fees. Application fees include service fees, which can be flat fees, or they can be 1% or 2% of the total purchase price. Application fees also include an appraisal, and credit reporting fees. They may be worked into the total closing costs, depending on the company.


Earnest Money
Earnest Money is an initial deposit to be paid to the seller if your offer is accepted. This is also known as a “good faith deposit” which may influence the seller's decision.



Down Payment
You can usually get better mortgage rates by paying a higher mortgage down payment. Down payments rance from 0% to 20% or more of the total cost of the home you decide to purchase. Most people put down 15% to 20%. Paying mortgage points up front can also help lower your payments.



Closing Costs
Final closing costs typically range from 2% to 4% of the total loan amount. Closing costs can sometimes be added into the mortgage loan amount which means you can just pay it as you are paying your mortgage.


Closing costs can include:

  • Mortgage Application Fees

  • Mortgage Points

  • Title Insurance and Title Search

  • Escrow Deposits

  • Attorney’s Fees

  • Inspection and Surveys

  • City Recording Fees.

Don’t let the long list of fees worry you because they are all paid at once and can be estimated by the lender upfront.


Home Ownership Expenses
Owning a home requires financial commitment far beyond your monthly mortgage payment. You will also be required to pay your mortgage insurance, home insurance, utilities, repairs, and your property taxes. Make sure you take all of these costs into mind when you are asking yourself how much you can afford when thinking of buying a new home. It is crucial that you are informed of these costs before you decide to take out a mortgage.



Planning And Saving Tips

If you are still saving for your new home, here are some extra tips that could be helpful for you:



  • Maintaining a reliable and regular income improves your standing with lenders

  • Consistently paying your bills and limiting your monthly debt help improve your credit score

  • Saving for a higher down payment can lower APR and payments

  • Combining your stated income with a partner or spouse can be to your advantage

  • You want your mortgage payments alone to be less than 28% of your income



Building your finances and your credit rating before you buy will help you to afford more homes. Also, it can help you compete better with other buyers for the home that you want, as well as making it easier to handle the costs of buying a home. This may also make owning your new home easier to mangage!




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