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Understanding the Impact of Mortgage Inquiries on Your Credit Score

19 Friday May 2023

Posted by in Buying Myths, Columbia housing market

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Your credit score plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility for various financial opportunities, including securing a mortgage for your dream home. However, many prospective homeowners are often concerned about the potential impacts of mortgage inquiries on their credit score. In this blog post, we will shed light on this topic, helping you understand how mortgage inquiries can affect your credit score and what steps you can take to minimize any negative impact.

1 – What are Mortgage Inquiries?

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will request your credit report from one or more credit bureaus to assess your creditworthiness. These credit report requests, also known as mortgage inquiries, are recorded on your credit history.

2 – Types of Mortgage Inquiries:

There are two types of mortgage inquiries: hard inquiries and soft inquiries. Hard inquiries occur when you apply for credit, such as a mortgage loan. Soft inquiries, on the other hand, occur when you request your own credit report or when a lender checks your credit for pre-approval purposes.

3 – The Impact on Credit Scores:

Hard inquiries may have a temporary negative impact on your credit score. Each hard inquiry typically results in a small decrease in your score, typically around 5-10 points. However, multiple inquiries within a short period may have a more significant impact, suggesting a higher level of risk to potential lenders.

4 – Time Frame for Inquiry Impact:

The impact of hard inquiries on your credit score is generally short-lived. In most cases, the negative effect lasts for about 12 months. After that period, the inquiries no longer factor into your credit score calculation. Soft inquiries, on the other hand, do not impact your credit score.

5 – Mitigating the Impact:
While you cannot completely avoid mortgage inquiries, you can minimize their impact on your credit score. Here are a few strategies to consider:


a. Rate shopping: When looking for a mortgage, aim to complete all your loan applications within a short time frame (e.g., 30 days). Credit scoring models typically recognize this practice as rate shopping and treat multiple inquiries as a single inquiry, minimizing the impact on your score.

b. Pre-approval process: Instead of applying for multiple mortgages with different lenders, consider getting pre-approved. Pre-approvals involve a soft inquiry and give you an idea of the loan amount you qualify for without affecting your credit score.


c. Focus on credit health: Prioritize maintaining a healthy credit profile by paying bills on time, keeping credit utilization low, and avoiding excessive debt. A strong credit foundation can help offset any minor impacts from mortgage inquiries.

Conclusion:
Mortgage inquiries, especially hard inquiries, may have a temporary effect on your credit score. However, with proper knowledge and planning, you can minimize the impact while searching for the perfect mortgage. Understanding the time frame for inquiry impact and adopting smart strategies like rate shopping and pre-approval can help you navigate the mortgage process without undue stress on your credit score. Remember, a strong credit history built on responsible financial habits is key to achieving your homeownership goals.

Are you ready to fulfill your dreams of homeownership? If so, let’s connect today and make it happen! At RMF Realty Team, we specialize in helping individuals and families find their perfect home and navigate the mortgage process. Our experienced team of real estate professionals is here to guide you every step of the way, from finding the right property to securing a mortgage that fits your needs. Don’t wait any longer to turn your dream of homeownership into a reality. Contact us now and let’s start this exciting journey together!

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What You Need To Know About Home Price News

17 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by in Buying Myths, Columbia housing market

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The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will release its latest Existing Home Sales Report tomorrow. The information it contains on home prices may cause some confusion and could even generate some troubling headlines. This all stems from the fact that NAR will report the median sales price, while other home price indices report repeat sales prices. The vast majority of the repeat sales indices show prices are starting to appreciate again. But the median price reported on Thursday may tell a different story. 

Here’s why using the median home price as a gauge of what’s happening with home values isn’t ideal right now. According to the Center for Real Estate Studies at Wichita State University:

“The median sale price measures the ‘middle’ price of homes that sold, meaning that half of the homes sold for a higher price and half sold for less. While this is a good measure of the typical sale price, it is not very useful for measuring home price appreciation because it is affected by the ‘composition’ of homes that have sold.

For example, if more lower-priced homes have sold recently, the median sale price would decline (because the “middle” home is now a lower-priced home), even if the value of each individual home is rising.”

People buy homes based on their monthly mortgage payment, not the price of the house. When mortgage rates go up, they have to buy a less expensive home to keep the monthly expense affordable. More ‘less-expensive’ houses are selling right now, and that’s causing the median price to decline. But that doesn’t mean any single house lost value. 

Even NAR, an organization that reports on median prices, acknowledges there are limitations to what this type of data can show you. NAR explains:

“Changes in the composition of sales can distort median price data.”

For clarification, here’s a simple explanation of median value:

  • You have three coins in your pocket. Line them up in ascending value (lowest to highest).
  • If you have one nickel and two dimes, the median value of the coins (the middle one) in your pocket is ten cents.
  • If you have two nickels and one dime, the median value of the coins in your pocket is now five cents.
  • In both cases, a nickel is still worth five cents and a dime is still worth ten cents. The value of each coin didn’t change.

The same thing applies to today’s real estate market.

Bottom Line

Actual home values are going up in most markets. The median value reported tomorrow might tell a different story. For a more in-depth understanding of home price movements, let’s connect.

Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

02 Tuesday May 2023

Posted by in Buying Myths, Columbia housing market, SC Home Sellers

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Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

If you’re a South Carolina resident who is considering buying a home, you might be wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988. 

And, data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com shows rents continue to grow today, even though it’s at a slower pace than we saw at the height of the pandemic:

“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row . . . The median asking rent was $1,732,up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still$354 (25.7%) higher than the same time in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”

With South Carolina rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially if the long-term trend of rents increasing each year continues. In contrast, South Carolina homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years). 

Owning a Home Could Be More Affordable if You Need More Space

The graph below uses national data on the median rental payment from Realtor.com and median mortgage payment from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to compare the two options. As the graph shows, depending on how much space you need, it’s typically more affordable to own than to rent if you need two or more bedrooms:

So, if you’re looking to live somewhere where you have two or more bedrooms to accommodate your household, give you more breathing room to spread out your belongings, or dedicate the extra space to practice your hobbies, it might make sense to consider homeownership.

Homeownership Allows You To Start Building Equity

In addition to shielding you from rising rents and being more affordable when you need more space, owning your home also allows you to start building your own equity, which in turn grows your net worth. 

And, as home values typically rise over time and you pay off your mortgage, you build equity. That equity can set you up for success later on because you can use it to help fuel a move to an even bigger space down the line. That’s why, according to Zonda, the top reason millennial homeowners bought their home over the past year was to build their own equity instead of someone else’s.

Bottom Line

If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home or continue renting, let’s connect to explore your options. With rents rising, it may make more sense to pursue your dream of homeownership.  

Smart Home Buying Strategies for People with Student Debt

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by in Buying Myths, Home buying, Home Ownership, ibuyers, Rent-vs-Buying

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Strategies for managing debt while still saving for a down payment

For many young homebuyers, student debt is a significant obstacle to homeownership. According to the Federal Reserve, outstanding student loan debt in the United States now exceeds $1.7 trillion, making it the second-largest category of consumer debt after mortgages. But despite this burden, there are smart strategies that young buyers can use to manage their debt while still saving for a down payment.

Strategy 1: Refinance Student Loans

One smart strategy for managing student debt is to refinance your loans. Refinancing involves taking out a new loan with a private lender to pay off your existing loans. By refinancing, you can often lower your interest rate and reduce your monthly payments, which can free up more money to save for a down payment.

Strategy 2: Explore First-Time Homebuyer Programs and KW Homebuyers Experience

Many states and cities offer first-time homebuyer programs that can help buyers with student debt. These programs may offer down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, or other financial incentives. For example, some programs allow you to use your student loan payments as evidence of timely payments for the purpose of qualifying for a mortgage. In addition, signing up for the KW Homebuyers Experience with the RMF Realty Team can also help you navigate the first-time home buying process. This program provides resources and guidance from a team of experienced real estate professionals to help you find the right home and secure the best possible financing.

Strategy 3: Find Creative Ways to Increase Income

If you’re struggling to save for a down payment due to student debt, finding creative ways to increase your income can help. Consider taking on a part-time job, starting a side hustle, or freelancing to earn extra money. You could also look for ways to monetize your hobbies or skills, such as selling your crafts on Etsy or offering your services as a tutor.

Strategy 4: Prioritize Saving for a Down Payment

Saving for a down payment is a critical step in the home buying process, especially for buyers with student debt. To make the most of your savings, consider opening a high-yield savings account or investing in a low-risk mutual fund. You could also automate your savings by setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck to a savings account.

In conclusion, buying a home with student debt can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By refinancing your loans, exploring first-time homebuyer programs, finding creative ways to increase your income, and prioritizing saving for a down payment, you can achieve your dream of homeownership.

#homebuying, #studentdebt, #debtfree, #downpayment, #refinancing, #firsttimehomebuyer, #increasingincome, #KWHomebuyersExperience, #RMFRealtyTeam,

Advantages of a Multi-Generational Home

11 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in Multigenerational, South Carolina Living

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The concept of multi-generational living has been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more Americans are choosing to share their homes with family members of different ages.

For one, financial considerations play a significant role in the rise of multi-generational living. Younger people who may struggle to afford their own homes are increasingly opting to live with their parents or grandparents in order to save on housing costs. This can be especially appealing in expensive urban areas where housing prices are sky-high. At the same time, older parents or grandparents may prefer to live with their families rather than in assisted living facilities, which can be costly.

In addition to financial benefits, multi-generational living also offers emotional support and companionship to family members of different ages. In the past, several generations often lived together and supported each other emotionally and practically. Nowadays, families are rediscovering the benefits of this approach to living. Older family members can offer help and guidance to younger generations, while also receiving care and assistance when needed. This can be especially valuable as family members age and face health issues or other challenges.

Furthermore, multi-generational living can foster a sense of community and interdependence. By sharing a home and living space, family members of different ages can develop stronger bonds and a deeper sense of connection. This can be especially important for children, who benefit from having close relationships with grandparents or other older relatives.

As the trend towards multi-generational living grows, homeowners are finding creative ways to accommodate the different needs and preferences of family members. One popular option is the use of tiny home-style. “granny flats,” which offer a self-contained living space that is connected to the main house. This allows older family members to have their own space while still being close to their loved ones.

While multi-generational living may require some adjustments and compromises, many families are finding that it is a rewarding and beneficial way to live. It offers financial benefits, emotional support, and a stronger sense of community and interdependence. As such, it is no surprise that this trend is on the rise and is likely to continue to grow in the years to come.

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