Affordability | Mortgage Lenders in Raleigh NC

The Ultimate Home Buying and Mortgage Guide: Martini Buyer Guide Spring 2023 Edition | Martini Mortgage Group

March 7, 2023 by Kevin Martini

If you’re in the market to purchase a home, whether for the first time or not, there are several crucial factors to consider before you make your purchase. The process can be overwhelming and confusing, but fortunately, Kevin Martini, a certified mortgage advisor and Raleigh mortgage broker, along with Logan Martini, a senior mortgage strategist, have created the Martini Buyer Guide, the ultimate home buying and mortgage resource.

The Spring 2023 edition of the Martini Buyer Guide was created to provide a straightforward explanation of the current real estate and mortgage markets. It features informative articles that address crucial aspects of home buying and mortgage application processes, and it’s the perfect guide for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the real estate market.

The Martini Mortgage Group’s Guide to Buying a Home and Getting a Mortgage

The Spring 2023 Martini Buyer Guide was curated to simply explain what is going on in the real estate and mortgage markets.
Senior Mortgage Strategist and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Logan Martini

the ultimate home buying and mortgage guide martini buyer guide spring 2023 edition martini mortgage group

A Glimpse of some Content of the Ultimate Home Buying and Mortgage Guide

What’s Happening in the Housing Market?

The housing market is continuously changing, and it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends, particularly if you’re planning to buy a home this spring. Two critical points to consider are Raleigh mortgage rates and home prices. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 3, provides more details on these two essential factors.

Using the 4 Stages of Homebuyer Demand to YOUR Benefit

To make the most of your home-buying experience, you need to understand the 4 stages of buyer demand. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 6, explains these stages and provides insights on how to use them to your advantage. If you want to learn more about this topic, tune in to episode 173 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, available on all streaming services.

How the Supply of Homes For Sale is Changing

One of the biggest challenges in the housing market today is the low number of homes for sale. However, there are more options available now than there were at this time last year. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 7, explains what this means for homebuyers.

What Past Recessions Tell Us About the Housing Market and Raleigh Mortgage Rates

Many people are wondering what a recession could mean for home values and mortgage rates. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 11, provides insights into what past recessions tell us about the housing market and Raleigh mortgage rates.

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

If you’re a first-time homebuyer in North Carolina, you may be eligible to save up to $2,000 a year with the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) offered by the Martini Mortgage Group in partnership with North Carolina Housing and Finance Agency (NCHFA). This tax credit is not just for the first year; it’s up to $2,000 every year as long as the home remains your primary residence.

5 Traps to Avoid When Buying A Home

Buying a home is a significant investment, and it’s important to avoid common mistakes that could cost you in the long run. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 19 of the Spring 2023 edition, provides valuable insights on five traps to avoid when buying a home.

Things to Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage

Once you’ve found the right home and applied for a mortgage, there are specific things you should avoid doing before closing on your home. Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way that ensures your home loan can still be approved. The Martini Buyer Guide’s article, which starts on page 24, provides more information on what to avoid after applying for a mortgage.

Martini Buyer Guide | Spring 2023 Edition

The-Ultimate-Home-Buying-and-Mortgage-Guide-Martini-Buyer-Guide-Spring-2023-Edition-Martini-Mortgage-Group Download

Let’s Connect

I’m sure you have questions and thoughts about securing the proper mortgage with the lowest cost of borrowing and real estate process. We’d love to talk with you about what you’ve read in the Spring 2023 Edition of the Martini Buyer Guide and help you on the path to buying your new home. Our number is (919) 238-4934 and we look forward to working with you.

Logan Martini

Senior Mortgage Strategist | NMLS 1591485

Logan@MartiniMortgageGroup.com

Kevin Martini

Certified Mortgage Advisor | NMLS 143962

Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com

Homeownership More Accessible and Affordable in Raleigh with New FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium

February 23, 2023 by Kevin Martini

Are you in the market for a new home but worried about the cost of mortgage insurance? Well, we’ve got some excellent news for you! The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced a 30 basis point reduction in their mortgage insurance premiums, providing some much-needed relief to homebuyers across the country.

In this special article, Raleigh mortgage broker and Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini explores the implications of this change and offering valuable insights into what it could mean for both current and future homebuyers, as well as the housing market.

For those who are not familiar with mortgage insurance, it is an insurance policy that protects lenders in case a borrower defaults on their loan. If a borrower defaults, the lender can file a claim with the mortgage insurer to recoup their losses. Mortgage insurance is typically required for borrowers who put down less than 20% on their home purchase, as they are considered to be at a higher risk of default.

FHA loans are designed to help first-time and repeat homebuyers plus those with lower credit scores or smaller down payments qualify for a mortgage. These loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and offer several benefits to borrowers, including lower down payment requirements and more relaxed credit score standards. However, they also require borrowers to pay mortgage insurance premiums.

The recent FHA announcement on February 22, 2023 by the FHA to reduce their mortgage insurance premiums by 30 basis points, effective on March 20, 2023, could result in significant savings for FHA borrowers. For example, a borrower with a $200,000 FHA loan who puts down 3.5% could save over $50 per month on their mortgage insurance premiums. Over the life of the loan, this could add up to thousands of dollars in savings.

This reduction in mortgage insurance premiums could make homeownership more accessible and affordable for first-time homebuyers or those with lower incomes who may struggle to afford a larger down payment. Additionally, this change could have positive implications for the overall housing market. By reducing the cost of homeownership, more people may be encouraged to enter the market, leading to increased demand and higher home values.

The Martini Mortgage Group can help you find the right mortgage for your unique situation. Since a FHA loan is not the only option that offers a low down payment, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Our Raleigh based mortgage strategists are here to guide you through the process, answer all your questions, and ensure that you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

If you’re ready to explore your options and find the perfect mortgage for you, give us a call today. With our expertise and experience, we’ll help you achieve your dream of owning your own home while also saving you money with the reduced mortgage insurance premiums offered by the FHA.

Things to Know and Consider when Buying a Home (Martini Buyer Guide | Winter 2022)

December 7, 2022 by Kevin Martini

If you are a first-time homebuyer or a repeat homebuyer, there are many things one needs to know and consider when buying a home. Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini and Senior Mortgage Strategist Logan Martini curated the Winter 2022 Martini Buyer Guide to simply explain the current real estate and mortgage markets plus vital information about buying a home and the process of getting a mortgage. The Winter 2022 edition of the Martini Buyer Guide has many informative articles that talk about things one needs to know about the current real estate and mortgage markets.

Winter 2022 Edition of Martini Buyer Guide

If you are buying real estate, if you are selling real estate, if you are refinancing a mortgage or if you work in the real estate arena then the Winter 2022 Martini Buyer Guide would be very helpful since it simply explains the current real estate and mortgage opportunity.

The Winter 2022 Martini Buyer Guide was curated to simply explain what is going on in the real estate and mortgage markets.
Logan Martini, Raleigh Mortgage Broker & Senior Mortgage Strategist

Contents of the Winter 2022 Martini Buyer Guide (things to know and consider when buying a home)

best raleigh mortgage broker logan martini

What is happening in the market?

With everything going on in the housing market right now, you may have a number of questions about what that means for you and your plans to buy a home. Here are three things that are likely top of mind for you.

Why did Raleigh mortgage rates rise so much in 2022?
What is happening with home prices in Raleigh?
Should I buy a home in Raleigh today?

raleigh mortgage lender martini mortgage group what is happening in the housing market page 1 of 2 winter 2022 martini buyer guide

raleigh mortgage lender martini mortgage group what is happening in the housing market page 2 of 2 winter 2022 martini buyer guide

Expert insights for today’s homebuyers

If you want to buy a home today in Raleigh or anywhere for that matter, here are a few things experts say you should know about what to expect and why homeownership is so important.

raleigh mortgage lender martini mortgage group expert insight for todays homebuyers winter 2022 martini buyer guide

Trends that are good news for Raleigh homebuyers

As the Raleigh real estate market has cooled but still remains strong, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too! Here are four trends that may be beneficial when you go to buy a home today.

More homes to choose from
Bidding wars have eased
More negotiation power
Higher loan limits

raleigh mortgage lender martini mortgage group trends that are good news for raleigh homebuyers winter 2022 martini buyer guide 1 of 3 1

raleigh mortgage lender martini mortgage group trends that are good news for raleigh homebuyers winter 2022 martini buyer guide 2 of 3 1

2/1 Buydown

Increasing Raleigh mortgage rates are presenting some challenges and opportunities not just for first-time homebuyers but also to repeat homebuyers too! Leap over the challenges and into the opportunity with a creative mortgage strategy offered by the Martini Mortgage Group called a Seller Paid Buydown.

raleigh mortgage broker kevin martini steer paid buydown winter 2022 martini buyer guide — FREE BUYDOWN CALCULATOR

In most markets in North Carolina, especially in the Triangle, homebuyers will find that sellers are more willing to negotiate on price or other terms more than they have been in recent years.
Logan Martini, Raleigh Mortgage Broker & Senior Mortgage Strategist

5 traps to avoid when buying a home

raleigh mortgage broker logan martini winter 2022 martini buyer guide 5 traps to avoid when buying home 1 of 3

Home shopping before a solid mortgage approval.
Not considering the costs of sale.
Overlooking the costs of improvements, utilities and maintenance.
Using the wrong down payment strategy.
Shopping for a mortgage vs. shopping for the right mortgage professional.

raleigh mortgage broker logan martini winter 2022 martini buyer guide 5 traps to avoid when buying home 2 of 3

raleigh mortgage broker logan martini winter 2022 martini buyer guide 5 traps to avoid when buying home 3 of 3

Top reasons to own your home!

Personal Expression
Accomplishment
Investment
Comfort
Family
Community
Privacy
Stability

The non-financial benefits of homeownership

While you could see less competition and more room for negotiation, you may be wondering if now’s the best time to buy a home given Raleigh mortgage rates are higher than they were last year. While the financial aspects are important to consider, there are also powerful non-financial reasons it may make sense to become a homeowner. See the full article on page 16 of the Winter 2022 edition of the Martini Buyer Guide.

Things to avoid after applying for a mortgage!

Why buying a home makes better sense than renting

If there is a time to rent, that time is not now.
Kevin Martini, Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker

The long-term benefit of homeownership

Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how you gain equity and wealth as home values grow with time.

raleigh mortgage broker kevin martini winter 2022 martini buyer benefit of homeownership page1 of 2

raleigh mortgage broker kevin martini winter 2022 martini buyer benefit of homeownership page 2 of 2

Things to Know and Consider when Buying a Home (Martini Buyer Guide Winter 2022)Download

Let’s chat…

I’m sure you have questions and thoughts about securing the proper mortgage with the lowest cost of borrowing and real estate process.

We’d love to talk with you about what you’ve read in the Winter 2022 Edition of the Martini Buyer Guide and help you on the path to buying your new home. Our number is (919) 238-4934 and we look forward to working with you.