Many people want to relocate to Charlotte NC Real Estate but are concerned about both property values and the ability to get a mortgage. Inquiring into a mortgage can create stress because no one likes rejection. I can help you overcome these obstacles. I work with several lenders and mortgage brokers and can explain mortgages in layman terms.
What are my Charlotte Mortgage options? First, the "no money down" or 80/20 mortgages are gone. These loan products have disappeared due to the national housing market decline and high foreclosures on sub prime loans. Here is why.
Let's say your home declined 5% in value over the past year. Now you are behind on payments and going into foreclosure. If you are going into foreclosure is is safe to say that you are at least 6 months behind in payments of $6,000 (on a home of about $150,000. Now the lender hires a local attorney for the foreclosure process.
After the foreclosure the lender pays any tax liens or back home owners dues and the marketing expenses. After the home is actually sold the money is dispersed. The 2nd mortgage (the 20% of the 80/20) gets nothing because over 20% of the value was lost due to the expenses. Too many of these occurred so investors will no longer "invest" (or donate) there hard earned cash for 2nd mortgages. Ultimately they were a losing bet.
Here we are today. If you are going to purchase a Charlotte home is is safe to say you either get a FHA loan with 3 1/2% down payment or a conventional loan with at least 10% down. The FHA is a Government backed loan and there is a lot of additional Government red tape in securing this loan. As you are likely to be aware, any time the Government is involved there will be additional hoops to jump through. The FHA loans are more costly but it employs more people (also known as job creation or wealth redistribution).
The conventional loans are still possible but you will need 10% down payment, a credit score of 700+ and a debt to equity ratio of less than 35%. This will be a challenge for many "want to be" home owners but good things come to those who wait. In the long term this will actually help strengthen the over housing market and Homes in Charlotte NC. Visit Charlotte Realty and Rick Waite for additional insights into the greater Charlotte Real Estate market.
