Saturday Strategy

Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...

House Hackers! Buy a Multi Family with 5 % Down!

Fannie Mae just made a big announcement that's going to make it easier for families to buy homes. Let's break it down in simple terms.

Here is the announcement from Fannie Mea on Oct 4 2023

Lower Down Payments for Multifamily Homes

Before this update, if you wanted to buy a multifamily home (that's a place with more than one apartment), you had to put down a big down payment – either 15% or 25%, depending on the unit you were buying. But starting in November, things are changing.

The Big Change

Now, if you're buying a multifamily home to live in as your primary home, you can put down just 5% of the cost of the home. That's great news because it means you don't need as much money upfront to become a homeowner.

There Are Some Rules

But hold on, there are some rules you need to follow. First, you have to live in one of the units for at least 12 months. That means it has to be your main place to live. You can't just buy it and then rent it out right away.

Why This Matters

This is a big deal because it helps people own homes and build wealth. Imagine buying a place with multiple units, living in one for a year, and then renting out the others. It's a smart way to invest in your future.

So, if you know someone who dreams of owning a multifamily home, share this news with them. It's a fantastic opportunity to make homeownership more affordable.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

P.S. Can I count on you to call us when any friends, family or coworkers are looking to buy, sell or refinance a home?  We'd love to help! You can just text/call me at 480.553.8770.

A woman sitting on the porch with her laptop.

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 17, 2022

Kevin Brierton – 3.17.2022 For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly…

A family walking down the sidewalk in front of their home.

Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home?

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 16, 2022

Kevin Brierton – 3.16.2022 Every year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. After all, according to Census data, rents…

A wooden block with a house on it

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs

By Kevin Brierton Team | March 15, 2022

Kevin Brierton – 3.15.2022 As a homebuyer, it’s important to plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people understand the need to save for a down payment, a recent survey found 41% of homebuyers were surprised by their closing costs. Here’s some information to help you get started so you’re…

A house with paint swatches and tools on the floor.

Which Home Improvement Projects Are Most Likely to Increase Your Home Value?

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 8, 2022

According to two recent studies on this topic, here are the top home improvement projects that are likely to add the most value to your home: 1 – Landscape improvement 2 – Bathroom improvement 3 – Kitchen improvement 4 – New roof 5 – New windows 6 – New garage door 7 – New siding…

Two people sitting at a table with papers and a calculator.

Tax Deductible Items for 2021 Mortgages

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 8, 2022

Congratulations on your mortgage closing!  Here is a general overview of some information that may be helpful to you and your CPA as you prepare your 2021 tax returns (the return you’ll file by April 2022). NOTE: These items are only deductible if you itemize.  They do not apply if you take the standard deduction.…

A picture of a person with a credit card.

Two Ways to Be More Strategic With Your Credit

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 8, 2022

Your length of credit history looks at how long your accounts have been opened. This has a 15% impact on your score. The longer your accounts have been opened, the higher your score will be; newly opened accounts will bring your score down. Here are three practical steps for you to improve your score in…

A brown house sitting on top of the floor.

Should You Cash-out Your Home Equity to Buy a Vacation Home?

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 8, 2022

The main problem with cashing out the equity in your primary home to buy a vacation home is that you lose the tax deduction on the mortgage. Mortgage interest is only deductible if you itemize your tax deductions AND if the mortgage proceeds are used to buy, build or improve a “qualified residenceâ€. Here’s the…

A bar graph showing the cost of walking on 0. 5 % increase in mortgage rates

Cost of Waiting to Buy $30,000 Mistake

By Kevin Brierton Team | February 8, 2022

Just one year of waiting to buy a house could cost you tens of thousands of dollars (see charts). For example, a homebuyer considering a $250,000 home would lose $7,500 if home prices increase by 3% during that one year timeframe.  They would lose an additional $21,391 over the life of a $200,000 mortgage if…

P.S. Can I count on you to contact me if you hear that a friend, family or coworker is looking to buy, sell or refinance? Call/Text 480.553.8770 - We'd be honored to help them too!