SELLERS SHOULD BE
PRE-APPROVED TOO!
We have all heard the saying, "we might not qualify to
buy the house we already own". We joke about it, but it can be true. This
can be a particular problem for the homeowner who wishes to sell their present
home and "move up" to another home.
With home values having stabilized and interest rates remaining low, it is an
excellent time to purchase property. A seller can profit by doing a "move
up" transaction via the reinvestment of one's equity. On the other hand,
in many cases a seller discovers, too late, that they are unable to qualify for
the home they desire to purchase. To avoid this disappointment, a seller can do
the following:
Become "pre-approved" (not merely pre-qualified) for the loan they
will need.
Complete a loan application and apply for a credit report. The $15-$18 cost
(at most lenders) can be a great investment for the seller's peace of mind.
Humboldt Home Loans will obtain a credit report at no charge to a borrower when
a loan file is opened.
If a seller lists their home for sale prior to pre-approval for their new
loan, it is advised that their offer to purchase be made "contingent upon
qualifying for a new loan". A buyer may be uncomfortable with this kind of
contingency so be prepared to act quickly to remove the requirement.
Consider carefully the process of whether one should "sell first"
or "buy first". It can be stressful when trying to do both at the
same time.
A seller who will experience considerable equity from a sale can easily be
given a false sense of security in feeling that there will be no problem in
acquiring a loan with such a large amount of money available for a down
payment.
The borrower, even with lots of cash must have excellent credit. In some
cases, even the smallest of blemishes can be sufficient for denial of the loan
or require higher interest rate and less desirable loan terms. That is why it
is recommended that a seller acquire a credit report early in the process . .
to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Loans today require a borrower to be “fully documented” as qualified
for the loan. It is the potential buyer’s responsibility to make certain
they are capable of qualifying.
Thus, it is advised that sellers determine in advance that there is a loan
alternative available that will allow them to purchase that next home of their
dreams. With the new Automated Underwriting programs available, a seller can be
quickly pre-qualified for a new loan. This results in the seller being able to
proceed with the sale of his/her current property without the fear of being
disappointed in their future purchase.
Web page/seller preapprove