Mortgage pre-qualification – why it can help you close the deal

In the property game there are two ideal scenarios. The first is a serious seller who is happy to price their property competitively. The second, a serious buyer with a clear idea of what they want. In these scenarios the chances of matching buyer and seller is strong.

But what about the rest of the market? Here it takes a little bit extra, and a pre-qualified mortgage application in the hands of the potential buyer could make the difference.

Morne Prinsloo, Chief Executive Officer at Mortgage Plus Bond Originators, said it could be this reassurance, provided in the form of an endorsed certificate from a recognised mortgage originator or similar accredited financial services provider, which sways the seller or in a case where it looks like competing offers may shortly be made for the same property, he said the pre-qualified certificate could clinch the deal for the buyer.

Historically most banks were prepared to do a formal home loan pre-approval, which basically guaranteed that the finance would be made available to the buyer on request.

“The banks have moved away from the pre-approval service because it requires them to go through a complete mortgage application process with very little client loyalty when taking up the bond. Historically the pre-approval took as long as an application. This resulted in duplication and bottlenecks in approving legitimate bond applications and so the banks stopped this service,” said Prinsloo.

To aid and inform homebuyers Mortgage Plus Bond Originators introduced formal and certificated pre-qualification. This is not the absolute guarantee offered in a pre-approved scenario, but it does detail the financing options available to a potential buyer subject to them meeting the bank’s lending criteria. Mortgage Plus uses similar credit scoring models as the banks in issuing its prequalification certificates.

As a result the number of Mortgage Plus pre-qualified clients not being granted a bond when formal bank application is made, is minimal. Pre-qualification really does give both the buyer and the seller peace of mind.

For buyers there are a number of advantages. First, it introduces them to the process of applying for a mortgage. This is particularly useful for first-time homebuyers. They get a clear indication of what they will be required to show the banks on formal application, and do not feel intimidated when the formal application gets underway. Buyers also get a clear view of their budget range and can house hunt accordingly. Once they have found their house, the process of originating a mortgage for them is quicker as the bulk of the required information is already on hand.

For the seller a pre-qualified mortgage certificate indicates a serious buyer. It indicates the buyer’s ability to secure funding. The pre-qualified buyer will in all likelihood, be granted finance swiftly.

Many sellers lock themselves into a sale and then wait for the buyer’s finance to be approved. If finance is not granted, the chances are the serious buyers have moved on and the seller has to start the marketing of their property from scratch.

Mortgage Plus has invested a significant amount in the technology and infrastructure required to provide pre-qualification certificates.

“Our team can generate a certificate in no time at all, and we’d be happy to assist any buyers with the process,”

Among the clutter of speculative offers to sell, and less than serious buyers, the pre-qualified certificate sends a clear signal of intent.

That might be all it takes to clinch the deal.

For further information contact Morne Prinsloo on 011 327 4489 or email morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

If you would like to know more about your home loan services and mortgage requirements please phone the Mortgage Plus Head Office on:

Attached please find the Home Loan Application Form * - Short Home Loan Application Form

0861.11.11.93

info@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za

For every individual there will inevitably come a time in their life when they will look to buy a house or property. For many this process will be a confusing and overwhelming endeavour…

However, it does not need to be an unpleasant experience. By gaining a little knowledge about the processes and administration, involved one can make sure they can secure the house of their dreams. An individual looking at buying a home should strive towards their goal but not rush or make harsh decisions during the process.

People will tell you to buy property as soon as you can, and seeing that property prices are constantly growing there is definitely truth in this statement. One should however remember that we live in a world of opportunity and that you should not be pressurised into making an offer on a property. There will be more great deals on the market, so do not be pressurised by a real estate agent or property owner when looking to buy a house.

Make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. This will ensure that you will get the best interest rate and this will help persuade the bank to approve your application. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover. If you have not bought anything on credit, you should look at opening a clothing account or cell phone contract to start building a credit record.

Never over-extend yourself when buying your first property (or anytime in your life for that matter) as this could lead to a financial crisis later in life. If you are set on buying a house but cannot afford the home of your dreams quite yet, rather opt for an entry-level property at first. This will allow you to save money and eventually put yourself in a position where you can buy the house of your dreams instead of being stuck with a “second best” property that crippled you financially.

Before you go house hunting, get a pre-approval from Mortgage Plus Bond Originators – 0861 1111 93. This will save you the grief of looking at houses you cannot afford and will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. It is seriously advisable to obtain professional help, in the form of a real estate agent. A deposit is generally put down when purchasing a property, generally somewhere between 5 – 10% of the sale price. Sometimes loans can cover 100% of the value of the property and sometimes even more than 100% in the case of First Home Loans. Speak to a Mortgage Plus Home Loan Expert regarding the different home loan options from all the financial institutions. Home Loan Calculators : Affordability Calculator, Bond Status Calculator, Increased Instalments Calculator , Minimum Income Calculator , Monthly Payments Calculator

Look for a reputable estate agent (or agency) and allow them to do their job, they will look to secure a deal that is best for you. A real estate agent will ensure that you will be signing a comprehensive document, which does not have any hidden loopholes or unnecessary costs. Real estate agents deal with this process on a daily basis and will be able to navigate it as efficiently as possible.

It is essential that you do your homework when signing a offer to purchase for a property. By gaining, an insight in regards to what other properties in the area have recently sold for, you can ensure you place a competitive offer.

With all of this said, you should not rule out the option of renting straight away. For an individual who intends on travelling or changing jobs in the visible future, buying a house might not be the best choice. It may be beneficial to rent a property and save your unused funds towards a deposit on a house in the future. This will give you greater financial freedom and will allow you enough time to search for the right property for you.

If you would like to speak to a Professional Mortgage Specialist about your lending requirements, please phone Mortgage Plus Bond Originators on:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za