Discover The Meaning of Real Estate Secret Words For Instance: Fannie Mae, Freddie, Conforming Loans And So On Today

If you’re looking for a new home to buy or investigating home mortgage loan choices, you’ve probably run into some friendly, upbeat people who want to help you achieve your home ownership dreams or maximize the value of your home buying potential. However, some of these people sure talk funny! The real estate industry does have its own lingo. Just like any industry, sometimes the pros forget that everyone doesn’t know every single specialized term or abbreviation. So, we thought we’d put together a short list of some common terms you’ll hear, and what they stand for.

  • Conforming Loan: A conforming loan is a mortgage that fits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (see below) guidelines for the size of loan and loan underwriting criteria. In November 2019, the FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) announced that the maximum 2020 conforming loan limit for a single-family house would be $510,400.
  • Conventional loan: A conventional loan is a home mortgage that isn’t provided through or guaranteed by a government organization. So, a mortgage that is offered by a private lender or a bank/credit union that isn’t a VA, USDA, FHA, or other government sponsored loan is a “conventional” mortgage.
  • Escrow: Escrow is an unusual word, but it just stands for the third party and time period where the money and contracts in a real estate transaction are verified and the property title is transferred.
  • Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: These two people aren’t a married couple. They’re two different home mortgage associations that are chartered by the Federal government. Freddie Mac stands for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Fannie Mae stands for the Federal National Mortgage Association.
  • FHA: FHA stands for the Federal Housing Association, which was established as part of “New Deal” programs in the 1930s, and is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

There are a lot of other specialized terms in the real estate and home mortgage industry. One of the advantages of working with an RE and mortgage professional is their ability to explain these terms to you, so you can understand what your choices are in homes to buy and loans that you can qualify for.

Sources

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/hey-housing-professionals-your-jargon-isnt-helping-consumers/
https://www.fhfa.gov/Media/PublicAffairs/Pages/FHFA-Announces-Maximum-Conforming-Loan-Limits-for-2020.aspx

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Hurry Now! Start Restoring Your House That Has Seen Better Days Through FHA. You Can Also Opt For Loan Products By Freddie Mac Or Fannie Mae

Did you know there are California home loans that will help you not just to buy a home, but also pay for renovations? If you’re considering buying a house that needs some work, sometimes called a “fixer-upper,” or a “handy-mans special”, or a property that needs “TLC” aka “Tender Loving Care”, you do have options to pay for the work that it will need.

What type of home renovation loans are there?

The best-known type of home renovation loan is the FHA 203(k) loan. This loan comes in two versions: limited and standard. The limited FHA 203(k) loan will pay for up to $35,000 in renovations, as long as they’re not considered to be luxuries by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). A new bathroom isn’t a luxury, but a new swimming pool would be, according to FHA guidelines.

The standard FHA 203(k) loan will pay for renovations over $35,000. In order to qualify for this loan, you will need to work with a HUD-certified consultant who will get bids and oversee inspections of the work. Both of the FHA 203(k) loans will pay for renovations on your primary residence. They aren’t available for second homes or investment properties.

Other home renovation loans include FannieMae‘s HomeStyle loan, and Freddie Mac’s CHOICE Renovation loan. These loans require higher credit scores than an FHA 203(k) loan. You could potentially qualify for an FHA 203(k) loan with a credit score as low as 500 to 520, but you will need to make a down payment of at least 10%.

Don’t let a “fixer-upper” stop you from buying the home you want

If you find a home that you can afford in the neighborhood you want, but it needs upgrading or repairs, don’t pass it by until you’ve considered a home renovation loan like an FHA 203(k) loan. There are many California home mortgages which can pay for the purchase and renovations that can help you to move into the neighborhood you want to live in, and have a modernized live-able and enjoyable home with the upgrades/renovations and repairs, you want and need. These loans allow you to finance 100% of the renovation rehab costs.  All those costs are rolled into the loan.  You just pay your normal down payment on the purchase, the rest of the costs including renovation, permits, and holding costs during the renovation period are often times covered by the loan. So you start making payments when your home is move in ready. Contact Us here at California Platinum Loans to see how we can make your dreams of buying a fixer upper with a low down payment a reality today!

Sources

https://www.moneycrashers.com/fha-203k-mortgage-loan-requirements/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/renovation-loans-expand-homebuying-options/

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