• Who Pays the Closing Costs in a Real Estate Transaction?,Brian Weinzetl

    Who Pays the Closing Costs in a Real Estate Transaction?

    Who Pays the Closing Costs in a Real Estate Transaction? What are Closing Costs? Inspection and appraisal fees to attorney's fees, title insurance premiums, recording fees, transfer taxes and more. Depending on your state laws and regulations, some of these may be required while others may be negotiable. All told, closing costs typically account for 2-5% of the total purchase price of a home. Who Pays Closing Costs?In most cases, both parties will share responsibility for covering closing costs. The seller typically pays for certain expenses such as real estate commissions and title insurance; meanwhile, the buyer is responsible for other expenses such as loan origination fees and prepaid escrow accounts. In some cases, however, buyers may be able to negotiate with sellers in order to have them pay all or part of their closing costs as well. This is especially common if there are multiple offers on the same property or if market conditions favor buyers over sellers.  Additionally, lenders may offer some type of assistance through programs such as grants or low-interest loans that help defray buyers’ upfront costs related to closing on a new home. To determine what kind of assistance might be available in your area, speak with your lender directly or contact a local HUD-approved housing counseling agency for more information on available resources that could help reduce your overall closing cost liability. Conclusion: When it comes to understanding who pays closings cost in a real estate transaction – there is no one-size-fits-all answer because each deal can vary depending on market conditions and individual negotiations between buyer and seller. Generally speaking though – it’s safe to assume that both parties will likely end up sharing responsibility for those added expenses associated with buying or selling property at closing time. That said – if you are looking for ways to reduce your upfront liability when buying a home – make sure you explore any available options through local grants or low-interest loans that could help offset some of those initial costs related to purchasing a new place!  Understanding which party typically covers certain types of expenses can help give you an edge when negotiating deals - so make sure you take advantage!

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  • What is a 2-1 Buy Down?,Antonio Gutierrez

    What is a 2-1 Buy Down?

    A 2-1 buy down is an option for home buyers to take advantage of lower mortgage rates. The idea behind this type of loan is that the borrower pays a certain amount at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate over the first two years of their loan. This allows you to secure a lower payment initially and then have the opportunity to renegotiate your loan after two years. Let’s explore this concept further. How Does it Work?A 2-1 buy down works by paying a certain amount, usually in points, at closing that goes toward lowering your annual percentage rate (APR) for the first two years of your loan. The APR will increase after two years, but you will have the opportunity to renegotiate your loan at that time and potentially secure another buy down or refinance altogether if you choose. It’s important to note that there are no guarantees when it comes to mortgage rates; they can go up or down depending on market fluctuations and other factors. Therefore, it’s important to do research before deciding if taking out a 2-1 buy down makes sense for you.  You should also consider how long you plan on staying in the home—if it’s only for two years, then this type of loan may not be ideal since you won’t get much benefit from the initial APR reduction due to paying off the mortgage so quickly.  On the other hand, if you plan on living in your home for more than four years, then this type of loan may be worth considering as it can provide some significant savings over time. Advantages & DisadvantagesThe biggest advantage of taking out a 2-1 buy down is that it provides an immediate reduction in monthly payments without having to refinance or take out a new loan. This can be beneficial for those who don't qualify for traditional refinancing options or who need some short-term relief from high monthly payments. Additionally, if your financial situation improves after those initial two years, you could potentially refinance into an even better deal with a conventional lender after the initial period ends.  However, there are some drawbacks to consider as well—namely, that any money paid upfront at closing is nonrefundable and that interest rates may rise after those first two years which could lead to higher payments later on down the line. Conclusion:A 2-1 buy down can provide short-term relief from high mortgage payments while still providing flexibility when it comes to refinancing later on down the road. Before deciding whether or not this type of loan makes sense for you, however, make sure you understand all its terms and conditions as well as how long you plan on staying in your home so that you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your situation and budget. With this knowledge in hand, you can confidently decide whether or not taking out a 2-1 buy down makes good financial sense for your family and future plans!   To get pre approved to purchase a home start by filling out an application https://www.blink.mortgage/app/signup/p/edgehomefinancecorporation/noworytagutierrez Edge Home Finance Corporation NMlS #1950898 Company NMLS# 891464

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  • The Benefits of a Homestead Tax Exemption ,Brian Weinzetl

    The Benefits of a Homestead Tax Exemption 

    The Benefits of a Homestead Tax Exemption  If you are buying a home, you may have heard of the homestead tax exemption. This is an important form of property tax relief that can help reduce your tax liability and save you money. But what exactly is a homestead tax exemption? Let’s take a closer look at this valuable benefit.  What Is It? The homestead tax exemption is a property tax reduction program that helps qualified homeowners pay their property taxes. Depending on the state in which you live, the exemption can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. In some states, the savings are applied directly to your property taxes; in others, it might be credited against your total taxable amount or used to reduce your assessed value. In texas a home that is homesteaded can only have the total taxable appraised value go up by 10% per year this can keep your taxes significantly lower in an appreciating real estate market.  Who Qualifies? To qualify for this program, you must be a homeowner who uses the house as his or her primary residence. Your eligibility will vary by state but many states offer exemptions for disabled veterans, elderly citizens, and low-income households as well.      How Do I Apply?               The application process varies from state to state but typically requires filing an application with your local county assessor’s office. In Texas we can now do this anytime through the year. You will need to provide documentation proving proof of ownership and residency. Once the homestead tax exemption is applied it will stay with the proeprty until you switch it to a new property when you move.  A homestead tax exemption can be an invaluable resource for homeowners looking for ways to lower their overall tax burden each year. By reducing your taxable amount or assessed value by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year, these exemptions can help make owning a home much more affordable.  

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