Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions
We put together some of your most common questions when it comes to property purchases and sales. When it comes to real estate, you'll want to be knowledgeable enough to feel confident in making the right investment choice. It's important to stay informed throughout the sales and buying process to get the best results for you and your family. If your question isn't answered below, you can always send us a message or call us at (661) 888-4493.
What kind of credit score do I need to buy a home?
Having a higher credit score tends to represent less risk for the lender, which ultimately leads to a better interest rate and potential even a lower down payment. Most loan programs require a FICO score of 620 or better. The better your credit score, the better rate you will get as there is more security and confidence in the borrow, in the lender’s eyes. I do recommend you speak with a lender about your unique situation and they will be able to guide you and suggest the right actions to take to achieve your goals as soon as possible!
FOR VETERANSVA loans require 0% Down Payment! However, these programs are more restrictive. VA loans are only available to current and former members of the US Military.
How much do I need for a
down payment?
The national average in the US is 11%. However, that’s factoring in first time buyers AND repeat buyers (Who tend to use the equity in their previous home as a down payment on their new one). For first time home buyers you tend to see a 3 to 5% down payment. Many first-time home buyer programs don’t require big down payments. For an FHA loan, you will need a 3.5% down payment. Conventional loans are the most common type of residential loan, and offer a program that only requires a 3% down payment!
Generally speaking, a minimum of 3 - 3.5% of the purchase price is needed for a down payment. For example for a $500,000 home, you would need a $15,000-17,500 down payment.
Need Help Finding a Lender?
You can always send us a message or call us at (661) 888-4493.
What is my home really worth?
Finding your home's worth is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home. While we're always available to help with questions on home value, we've put together an easy to follow step by step guide on how to find your home's worth. Follow the steps outlined in our latest blog post to better understand your home's value in Santa Clarita. If you need guidance on how to go through any of these steps, call us!
What can I do to get my house to sell?
In a competitive housing market, how can you get your home to stand out among the thousands of beautiful homes for sale? With brand new home construction sites popping up throughout the city of Santa Clarita, it can be easy to get lost in the marketing buzz around new homes. We've put together a list of easy strategies you can take to start the process of getting your home ready.
How long does it take to sell a house?
The overall time-frame of a sale can depend on a variety of things, such as the current state of the market, which agent you choose to work with, and the type of marketing strategies used to get the word out. Once an offer is accepted, a standard sale will typically last between 28-45 days. The most common “escrow” period is around 30-35 days.Once you accept an offer and open escrow, you should expect to have the sale complete, 30-35 days from then.
A quick sale would take approximately 28-30 days and would have to meet certain parameters. This situation could happen if a buyer uses traditional funding and if the offer gets accepted and put into escrow on the first day of a home being on the market. Some lenders can close a loan quicker than others, but usually those lenders may be able to fund the buyer’s loan in as little as 21 days.
If you don't choose the right agent, one that is not reputable, innovative, and gets results, your home may sit on the market for a couple weeks or even months, extending the overall sales time. For example, your home can be listed as long as 6 weeks. Upon accepting an offer, there are 28-45 days until the sale is fully processed and complete. This extends the overall sale time to 70-87 days.
Have more questions?
You can always send us a message or call us at (661) 888-4493.