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By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
SAME DAY HOME LOAN APPROVALS Same day home loan approvals do happen. I have them happen quite often, and yesterday it was less than thirty minutes after I submitted a file.   The key to a quick turn around in underwriting a home loan is the quality of the submission. The quality of the submission is dependent upon a seasoned loan originator who knows what documents are needed, assemble them in a clear order, document the file with an explanation of the contents.  Of utmost importance in the quality of the submission is the person seeking the home loan providing the loan originator with ALL the documents and EXACTLY the documents requested.  When I talk about one day loan approvals from underwriting that is very possible in today's environment depending upon the lender a borrower chooses...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
                                        IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO REFINANCE? Is now a good time to refinance is an age old question we don't hear as much these days because rates have been at lows not imagined until now. However, it is a question a home owner should always ask themselves. Generally if one could save 1% on a thirty year note a refinance was something to seriously consider. This rule is somewhat different now with property values escalating as they have over the last few years the interest rate is only part of the equation. Of course saving as much on interest rate is important, other savings can be realized by eliminating or greatly reducing private mortgage insurance because the property values have gone up so much. Another reason to refinance is to change loan programs int...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
Home Loan Shopping, Read the Fine Print Prior to Covid 19 I did in person home buying classes throughout the year. We cover a lot of info which I do by phone now, but one important point I always make is to always read the fine print when home loan shopping. Lenders are going to advertise their best interest rate, best terms, but not everyone qualifies for those terms. If you've listened to an advertisement for automobiles you likely have heard someone speed reading at the end. That is the fine print.  Here is an excerpt from a recent newspaper advertisement for an awesome home loan interest rate. (30 year conventional loan based on a loan amount of $150,000, 75% LTV. (specific pricing was quoted). Additional restrictions may apply. LTV and credit score may require additional fees. Rate...
By Monica Hess, Kentucky's Feng Shui Master
(Feng Shui This Kentucky)
Comments 0
I've found that in many feng shui consultations one of my recommendations is the same.  The addition of a chiming clock to the home will cure a lot of problems.  Even people who think they couldn't manage the constant bonging...find that if they properly adjust the volume and increase a little every week, they'll soon not even notice.   Why a chiming clock?  Well, the sound of metal (particularly Westminster Chimes) is a physical remedy for several problem star combinations.  Chimes and singing bowls (the sound of metal) have been used for hundreds of years to "clear the air".  Even church bells have been used not only to call people to prayer but to send messages to heaven.  Church bells are used to warn, celebrate, and to grieve, as well as to simply tell the town what time it is.So, ...
By Lizette Fitzpatrick, Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes
(Lizette Realty - Richmond KY)
Comments 2
 Kentucky Horse Farm Lexington KY - Fayette County - Horse Farms For SaleIf you have never seen one, you need to check out a Kentucky Horse Farm in Lexington KY. There are beautiful horse farms for sale in Lexington and Fayette County.Many new clients are finding us on my website, http://www.lizette.us, and making arrangements to relocate to Kentucky. Once in Lexington, they fall in love with the ambiance of the stone walls, black plank fences, lush bluegrass fields, and horses...everywhere! It's quite breathtaking to be here in person!Lexington Kentucky is "The Horse Capital of the World." My world has always been centered around horses, so I can understand why many buyers have a complete love for this relaxed way of life and search for horse farms for sale.  Visitors are always amazed...
By Barbara Flannery, "Homes for Everyone In London Kentucky"
(USA Realty,Inc.)
Comments 4
tMaking the Best of the Current Pandemic!! Ive been in Real Estate since 1992 and I have owned my own building since 1995!! So I decided to sell my building move my office Home. Best decision that I have made in awhile, Loving it !!!Most Buyers and Sellers in our Area never come to the Office, Listings are done on line with Dot Loop and so are Purchase Contracts.  My Agents Love it Too. No office hours they spend their extra time with family !! We meet once a week for Lunch or  Breakfast.  It's been a busy Summer and none of us miss our Phycial Office !!  
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 4
Thanks for your candor! I have spoken with several folks over the last few months about home financing. Quite a few of them contacted me because they have seen advertisements that interest rates are at all time lows. Some of them tell me the rates they are seeing and ask if it is really true, most are expecting there is a catch. The lowest rates advertised could come with a catch if one interprets it as there is no cost to get the rates advertised Rates really are at an all time low. It is amazing actually.  But that does not mean refinancing a home loan is the best idea for everyone.  What is supremely helpful is to talk to a loan originator who explains all the pros and cons of shorter terms, lower rates, loan amounts, loan to value, etc so an educated decision can be made. Several ti...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 2
Why Borrowers Get Spam After Their Credit Is Pulled A borrower needs a mortgage to purchase a home. They contact the mortgage broker or bank they want to work with, apply for a mortgage loan, have their credit pulled, and boom! they start getting spam calls out of the blue asking if they are buying a home. Why? Why are they getting calls from people they have never heard of? How did these folks get their information? What I described above is a "trigger lead". When someone applies for a mortgage loan and their credit gets pulled their information is often sold to a competing lender who buys trigger leads. Some lenders pay the credit bureaus (Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian) to provide them with leads. They have sales people sitting there waiting to snag a lead and see if they can gra...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
How The Pandemic Changed My Mortgage Business Each day we learn something new about the Covid-19 virus. This week we are learning whereas the first case was thought to be in 2020 the virus was actually with us months earlier in 2019. I, like many, know people, several family members to be exact who were really, really sick in the fall/winter of 2019, and not diagnosed as flu. Now it seems apparent that some of these people likely had Covid-19 then.I am a mortgage broker working in Kentucky and Ohio who, up until the virus hit, held monthly home buyer classes, went to all my closings and met people who wanted a face to face meeting.  Fortunately, even though I did these things, in my business we've had the capability for a long time to work remotely and do a lot of work across the Intern...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 4
The Benefit of Seller Paid Closing Costs Did you know seller's often pay part or all of a buyer's closing costs and prepaid items?  In our Northern Kentucky and Ohio market they do. Now more than ever this can be a benefit to the buyer because we for the time being are in a very different world of pricing on mortgage loans. In a normal market you have a range of choices when it comes to interest rates, the amount you want to spend and the amount you have available. It typically is not difficult to use something called premium pricing where a lender pays part of the closing costs for a buyer. Simply put a lender can bump the rate up a bit creating a surplus over and above the cost of the par rate and use that surplus to offset some closing costs for the buyer.  This pricing does not part...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 4
Mortgage Lending Guidelines & Corona Virus The arrival of the Corona virus has changed our lives significantly and it should come as no surprise that it has changed the mortgage lending world. Not only has it changed the interest rate market for refinance and purchase loans but it has changed at least on a temporary basis how mortgage loans are evaluated on their way to approval through closing. We are seeing mortgage lenders tighten up some standards when it comes to debt ratio, credit, reserves, etc.  Whereas these are discussed as temporary in nature if you are someone who has a loan in process or have been qualified for a purchase be sure you are on top of things with your loan originator. It is a stressful time and you want to make sure if the right home shows up in this tight mark...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
UNEMPLOYED? PUTTING YOUR HOME BUYING ON HOLD Our country is experiencing something it has never gone through before. Over the last few years we've experienced a shortage of homes for home buyers. Now with the the corona virus how many folks will put their homes on the market? Will it create an even greater shortage of inventory?  There are a lot of  unanswered questions regarding the market. One thing for certain is that one cannot buy a home while unemployed. Even if one is getting unemployment insurance payments regularly we cannot use those to qualify for a home purchase. To buy a home the buyer needs to be back to work. As part of the income verification process the buyer will need to provide an explanation about the reduction in year to date income as a normal part of the process. ...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 2
Trusted Mortgage Adviser Needed Now More Than Ever  If you've been involved the mortgage or real estate business for any period of time you've heard the term "TRUSTED MORTGAGE ADVISER".  A lot of loan officers have used it as a marketing catch phrase.  Who would not want a trusted mortgage adviser all the time? Every borrower wants it and every loan officer should live up to it to the best of their ability.  Now more than ever borrowers do need the trusted adviser because we are in uncharted territory. I'm getting calls and emails from folks saying I heard the interest rates dropped to some crazy level. Or they hear the prime rate dropped and think the long term mortgage rates are equally low. No one wants to lose out on locking the lowest rate they can.  Now is when having a trusted ad...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 2
Feds Dropped Discount Rate, Now What? Feds dropped the discount rate .5 points in a surprise move. A surprise move for the markets and unsuspecting public.  Now what? Now the phone will start ringing for L O's  from those with mortgages saying is my rate going down half a point?   No, long term mortgage rates are NOT going down half a point. In normal times a drop in the discount rate would actually make long term mortgage rates go higher. These times are not typical so I don't see rates going much higher after the Feds dropped the rate half a point. Mortgage rates rise and fall based on what is going on in the world. The Coronavirus threw a wrench into an economy that was not doing great but was holding it's own. The economy is measured by several forces and at the moment the force is ...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 2
Underwriters Request Additional Documents When underwriting a mortgage loan underwriters usually start out with some specific documents for the particular loan. These documents are provided when a seasoned loan officer gets them from the borrower and structures the file for the underwriter to review. Sometimes an underwriter may need clarification of the documents provided, it could be work history, past personal history, credit, or contract related for instance. When this happens the underwriter is usually specific about what additional documents may satisfy the request. Sometimes the loan originator can provide the documents and sometimes he/she may need to go back to the borrower for the information.  When underwriters request additional documents those are the documents they need to...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
Getting Organized For a Mortgage Loan Thinking of applying for a home mortgage? Organizing the information required is necessary. I take a lot of applications by phone and we work through the necessary data right there and then on the phone. If the applicant has not already organized their information for a home mortgage, then starting immediately following the application is not too soon.  Some typical documents one may need are pay stubs, W-2's, bank statements, along with photo I.D. Different loans need differing data, for instance for a refinance a copy of the last couple of statements from the current mortgagee may be needed or a copy of the note. So information can vary. Best practice is to ask what documents are needed and make it a priority to  begin gathering that information. ...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
What Are Higher Balance Loans? Conforming loan balances are out for the year 2020. A conventional loan that does not exceed $510,400 for a single family and $765,600 for a two family home fits into the conforming loan balance maximum. But does that mean a loan balance higher than that only has a jumbo option?  Not necessarily. (Jumbo loans are priced higher and often require bigger down payments.) Consumers with loans that exceed the aforementioned conventional conforming limit should consider a higher balance loan. A Higher Balance Loan offers better pricing as well as other benefits over the Jumbo product and is not universally available under the same conditions.  D A Griffin Financial has a higher balance loan product that offers advantages over the Jumbo loan option. It is availabl...
By Austin Rankin, First Time Home Buyer and Re-location Specialist
(Keller Williams Realty Services)
Comments 1
Preparing to sell your home in Northern Kentucky? Our top to bottom guide separates the whole procedure into 8 basic steps. Figure out how to locate an incredible agent, value your home, consult with purchasers, easily get through closing, and that's only the tip of the iceberg!8 Steps to Selling a House in Northern KentuckyRight now is a decent time to sell a house in Northern Kentucky! As per Zillow, property estimations in the Bluegrass State have risen 5% in the previous year, and are anticipated to rise a further 3% throughout the following year.Obviously, even the best Northern Kentucky properties will battle to sell in the event that you don't value the home appropriately, make a lackluster display of promoting it or don't have a clue how to deal with the arrangements and negotia...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 4
SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOV 30, 2019 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2019  is shop small businesses Saturday.  This is the day the focus is on small businesses.  It is hoped that on this Saturday if you make it a point to stop into a small shop you may just find a reason to return!  So if you need something on this day go to your small local store for it.  Small businesses need the support of the locals to stay in business. I use my local drug store, Ft Thomas Drugs,  vs the big stores that most insurance companies promote. I rarely have to wait, I have a friendly face to welcome me, and they take the time to tell me about what I'm getting. Ft Thomas Drugs has a lot of cards that don't cost an arm and a leg. They have several Melissa and Doug items for kids and bunches of candy. You'll find ...
By Dora Griffin, NMLS 6380
(D A Griffin Financial.LLC)
Comments 0
 Are you looking for fast or a trusted adviser when buying a home? When it comes to getting a home mortgage to buy a home are you looking for fast or a trusted adviser? (This is kind of a trick question because you can have both.)  Many mortgage companies are marketing the fast easy peasy mortgage which may make a home buyer think that is how it works, if they want fast they have to do something online.  I see ads for 15 year mortgages for instance touting the savings and demanding folks to refinance now to that 15 year mortgage. Are 15 year mortgages money savers? You bet they can be, but is it the best move? Do you think that online process is going to determine that for you? I keep hearing younger home owners in particular just want to have it done fast and have it all be easy.   The...

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