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Travis Made An Offer On A House

nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
edited March 2011 in General Discussion
I sure hope it is accepted. He found this foreclosed house that has a bargain (I think) asking price. It is cheap because it only has two bedrooms, it is on a tiny lot, and it is in a not-so-great neighborhood. The house is only a few years old, and as far as I can see, its only problems are cosmetic.

The banker in the bank where I have my mortgage kept shining him on, never giving him a firm answer, so I called a loan officer at the bank where he and I have our checking and savings accounts. No problem...only I have to apply as co-borrower. Travis has zero credit, having never borrowed a dime from anyone. He would just has soon have kept it that way, but for the chance to be a homeowner at a very reasonable cost.

Bank offered him a 10-year loan at 7%. Not great terms, but it's all in-house, and pretty good for a kid with no credit, and no job. He is only borrowing around $25,000, and he intends to pay it back in five years, not ten.

Anyhow, the financing is in place; all we have to do now is see if his offer is accepted.

Comments

  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bank rate is WAY HIGH. The wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first home. We are borrowing quite a bit more than that at 5% for 30 years. If we went to a 15 year, it would be 4.325%.
  • rongrong Member Posts: 8,459
    edited November -1
    I have a steadfast rule
    I live by. I don't co-sign
    for anyone,family or friends.
    I'll give or loan them enuff money
    to satisfy the bank but I never co-sign.
    If they can't buy it on their own they don't
    deserve it. There are many ways to build up
    credit if they choose to. Life is a journey
    not a race.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    nunn -

    Travis is your son that was/is (sorry lost track) in the Army, right?

    would USAA or the VA be a better route for a lower rate?
  • RtWngExtrmstRtWngExtrmst Member Posts: 7,456
    edited November -1
    Don't worry about the interest rate if he's getting an outstanding deal on the purchase price, especially since he intends to pay it off in 5 years. I say, good for him! If he plays his cards right, he can own property with no mortgage the rest of his life.
  • SawzSawz Member Posts: 6,049
    edited November -1
    doesnt sound like a mortgage loan to me . Is it? more like a simple interest loan credit line? backed by the property? if so I think its a good deal way less interest than normal mortgage.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    If I had $25G setting where I could get to it, I would front him the money on a handshake. Travis is that kind of man. But, my money is tied up in my retirement account, so I can't help him myself.

    The rate is higher than market, but it is about all he can expect, and he got it done in minutes, not months. Keep in mind, he has NO CREDIT, and NO JOB, and his co-borrower (me) filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

    Also keep in mind that this is an in-house loan, not second-tier. No FHA, no VA, no Fannie Mae, no Freddie Mack. He borrows from the bank, and pays back the bank.

    If he pays the loan back in five years as planned, the difference between 5% and 7% isn't enough to lose sleep over.
  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great rate for an in house bank loan. The heck with the mortgage companies...
  • Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
    edited November -1
    I just refi'd my house at 3.75% for 15 yrs.

    Back when I lacked credit you could do a "low doc" loan (low documentation)) with 20% and very little qualifying.

    The first credit card I ever applied for was Texaco and they turned me down. Shell accepted me at the same time and conditions. Now I can have pretty muchy whatever credit card I want, and I have been sent dozens of pre-approved Texaco cards over the years, but I'll never have a Texaco card - they wouldn't give me a chance, I won't give them one.
  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In 1965 I bought my house at 6%! Now I see some offering 4.5%. Hard to believe rates are lower 45 years later. Of course I didn't pay a lot for it either. Been paid off since 71 or 72.
  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,836 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No job? How does he intend to pay the money back then? I'm confused.....

    Merc

    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    If I had $25G setting where I could get to it, I would front him the money on a handshake. Travis is that kind of man. But, my money is tied up in my retirement account, so I can't help him myself.

    The rate is higher than market, but it is about all he can expect, and he got it done in minutes, not months. Keep in mind, he has NO CREDIT, and NO JOB, and his co-borrower (me) filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

    Also keep in mind that this is an in-house loan, not second-tier. No FHA, no VA, no Fannie Mae, no Freddie Mack. He borrows from the bank, and pays back the bank.

    If he pays the loan back in five years as planned, the difference between 5% and 7% isn't enough to lose sleep over.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    He has income, just no actual employment. I told him, had he worked, even part time, since he got back home, he could just pay cash for this house with money left over for a good fence. He agreed.
  • cce1302cce1302 Member Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That's a great start. I wish I had been smart enough (ever) to buy a house with financing only 25,000. Or financing a house for only 10 years. I haven't been able to do either one (yet). I'm planning to do so for my next house.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    He may borrow only $20,000. He offered $35,000, and he intends to put $15,000 down. We have to see if his offer is accepted first.
  • NOAHNOAH Member Posts: 9,690
    edited November -1
    [:p]go for it . if you can cover the 25k if something went south, don't worry about it. i did 4 in house loans 4-5 years ago and they panned out well[;)][8D]but that was before the bust[V]of 08. any time you can do that at this point and time go for it
  • wittynbearwittynbear Member Posts: 4,518
    edited November -1
    I'd advise him to pass on this house, you said yourself its in a bad neighborhood, not a great place to start a family. He won't trust that his family is safe while he's at work. Then you have the problem of the house its got 2 BR and will be hard to unload in a few years.

    He should look for a 3 BR 2 BA in a decent neighborhood. Reason being is if he decides to move in a few years the house will be much easier to sell and he won't have to sit at work and worry about his family's safety, worrying will make you old, fast. He's lucky enough to have a cosigner he's in good shape. aaaaif the best terms he can get is 10yrs at 7% take it and refinance a year or so later when he has good credit. Good idea to pay it off in half the time too, when bankers get their thieving little hands on less of your money its always a good thing.

    Always get a home inspection, if a house has a good structure the rest is fixable. Houses are out there that have been forclosed on and can be had at a good price.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    Even in this market, he is not going to find a 4-year-old, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in nice neighborhood for $35,000.

    Who the heck said anything about a family? That's a ways down the road, after he has this place paid for, and rented out.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Bank rate is way too high...but it sounds like a steal. I hope he gets it! [:)]
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    some people say never buy anything you cant pay for in cash. i think thats a little extreme; but buying something that will require payments when you dont have a steady income is just ridiculous.

    if his income is steady and adequate, i dont see how thats not employment; and if its not steady, then i dont see how he(or you) thinks its a good idea to be on the hook for a mortgage.

    then again, this one wont cost me a penny either way, so i guess go for it.

    i do find it ironic that you're the forums pimp for dave ramesy and now you're both advocating and cosigning for a mortgage.
  • wittynbearwittynbear Member Posts: 4,518
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    Even in this market, he is not going to find a 4-year-old, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in nice neighborhood for $35,000.

    Who the heck said anything about a family? That's a ways down the road, after he has this place paid for, and rented out.
    Oh OK if thats a plan, other than the headache of renting to other "people" he should be fine.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    Dave Ramsey notwithstanding, it is something Travis wants, and something he can manage with his current income. BTW, income and job are not synonymous. I have income from a job, but shortly, I expect to have income and no job. Travis has income and no job, but he will likely have to seek employment whenever his benefits run out, but that won't be for a while.

    Dave Ramsey does caution against co-signing a note, but that's the only way the bank would do the note. I wouldn't consider it, except I know Travis will pay the note, and I know the house will be a good investment. Once Travis pays on it for a year or so, he can re-finance it all by himself. Dave does not have a problem with a person taking out a mortgage, for no more than 15 years, with payments no more than 25% of his take-home pay.

    I don't do everything Dave says. For instance, I do use gasoline credit cards, and I do have one Mastercard that I use only for on-line and phone purchases. On no card will I maintain a balance; everything is paid off when the bill comes.

    I do not have a car note, and I will not.
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dave Ramsey is a good guy with a good heart and speaks to people who made lousy choices in life. Heck, I've made my fair share. He also speaks to people who have little or no ability or desire to control their own finances beyond keeping a written budget. I agree with him on the Gold issue but I disagree with him in that credit cards CAN be used responsibly. Dave Ramsey bases his investment know-how advice on the ability to magically divine a mutual fund that will return 12% every year. The individual is supposed to be able to magically pull a 12% annual return out of his fourth point of contact but he's somehow not endowed with the ability to wisely do research and purchase individual stocks for himself. Newsflash. Dave's advice screwed me but I came out of the economic tank we just went through smelling like roses. Dave is hit-and-miss IMHO.

    Everyone has their own individual situation. While I'd never co-sign anything for anyone, you're in your own situation and know your son better than a banker or any of us.
  • rongrong Member Posts: 8,459
    edited November -1
    I apologize Nunn,I think
    I came on a little strong.
    You and I are different people.
    I've seen in my lifetime
    even in good times so many
    people left holding the "bag"
    for whatever reasons.I re-read
    my post and it sounds like I'm
    slighting Travis. Far from it.
    I'm sure all will be fine.
    Ronny
  • FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by PBJloaf
    nunn -

    Travis is your son that was/is (sorry lost track) in the Army, right?

    would USAA or the VA be a better route for a lower rate?


    +1!
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    He could easily blow that $ on a new truck.
    I say go for it. Good way to start off in life with a house paid off in a few years.
  • tomahawktomahawk Member Posts: 11,826
    edited November -1
    bad neighborhoods turn good if enough good folks move in and clean them up...later after he has credit he can refinance on his own for less interest...go for it
  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    If I had $25G setting where I could get to it, I would front him the money on a handshake. Travis is that kind of man. But, my money is tied up in my retirement account, so I can't help him myself.

    The rate is higher than market, but it is about all he can expect, and he got it done in minutes, not months. Keep in mind, he has NO CREDIT, and NO JOB, and his co-borrower (me) filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

    Also keep in mind that this is an in-house loan, not second-tier. No FHA, no VA, no Fannie Mae, no Freddie Mack. He borrows from the bank, and pays back the bank.

    If he pays the loan back in five years as planned, the difference between 5% and 7% isn't enough to lose sleep over.


    If the math adds up do it. Small note with quick pay off and he will have a place to stay on the cheap and some equity to use in the future. He will payout less in interest than he would in rent.

    I wish him the best with it.
  • Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp Member Posts: 5,871
    edited November -1
    Dave Ramsey gave poor advice on the stock market/401k, then repeated it dozens of times. I like most of his other advice, alas, he's just too irritating for me to listen to anymore.
  • legearlegear Member Posts: 6,716
    edited November -1
    Nunn, how is the process of buying a forclosed going? My wife and I are going to do the same but have heard of the process being a pain.

    We have found a 3/2 on 1 acre with a in ground pool for $30k, good deals out there just got to check the banks lists.
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    why does he need a house right now?
    why not wait until he can afford a nicer one, have more cash in hand, and not live in a ghetto?
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • BoltactionManBoltactionMan Member Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    David,
    Doesn't sound too bad if the deal is fixed at 7% for 10. Probably cheaper in closing costs as well. The mortgage game is a volume one and the people who borrow more money get a better deal than the small ones.

    I would also recommend being a co-owner as well as a co-borrower like forgemonkey. Good luck to you and your son, this sounds like a good start.

    KC
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    It's not exactly a ghetto. It was a black neighborhood, but it is now a mixture of black, Mexican, and white. There are several newer homes similar to his, in the vicinity.

    According to the loan officer, I will have to be a co-owner. I didn't want to be, but so be it. More incentive for him to make good on his obligation.

    BTW, he called today and his offer was accepted.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Of course it would be accepted. With 15K down on a 35K investment the bankers will take that chance. Don't fret the 7% loan on a short term. It really isn't that much more per payment. Once he gets established making payments for a year or so, he then can refinance only to remove you're name off the deed should he want to. You can reliquish rights without the banks approval.
  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    ... and it is in a not-so-great neighborhood....

    ... pretty good for a kid with no credit, and no job. He is only borrowing around $25,000, and he intends to pay it back in five years, not ten.


    I threw up the red flags that caught my attention.

    If the neighborhood is not so great now. What will it be like in 5 or 10 years. You see 99 neighborhoods get worse and more rundown each year to 1 that is improving.

    No job.. Look at the Job market now. What guarantee does he have at getting a job that will allow him to pay all of his bills plus a house payment for the next 5 years?

    Get a job first. Save some money to put down on a house then go to the next step.

    Not knocking your son in no way, form or fashion.

    It just seems like he is setting himself up to fail by wanting to become a homeowner to quickly.
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn,

    So when you gonna get the boy hired on with the PD department?
    Seem his military experience would help.

    Ought to be something he could do around there to get a foot in the door.
  • swopjanswopjan Member Posts: 3,292
    edited November -1
    may have been mentioned already, but does he intend to rent out a room? i got interested in real estate and leasing housing recently, been doing a little homework, it can actually be quite profitable in the long run even with just one property. one thing that surprised me is that oftentimes you can rent out a house for more money per month than you pay in mortgage/taxes/insurance combined, so if he's single or living alone, renting out that extra room for six months or a year would probably give him a pretty penny to pay off that house, and there's always some semi-retired engineer or college student or whatever looking for a room to lease. just an idea for you, it's how i intend to make my fortune after the military myself.

    also, congratulations to him. always makes me happy to see somebody doing well for themselves.
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